2026 Project Description

Cosmic Dust SEDs for Next-Generation CMB and CIB Measurements

Supervisors

Yi-Kuan Chiang
Find out more about supervisors on ASIAA website

Task Description and Goals

Accurate modeling of cosmic dust emission in the cosmic infrared background (CIB) is increasingly important for next-generation CMB experiments. This project extends the standard modified blackbody CIB model by introducing intrinsic scatter in dust temperature and emissivity index (σ_T, σ_β), which can enhance low-frequency (∼100–200 GHz) CIB emission and impact estimates of the primary CMB as well as thermal and relativistic SZ signals. TThe student will implement this extended SED model, explore how parameter scatter modifies the mean CIB spectrum and frequency scaling, and compare the results to the conventional single-parameter model. Using simplified multi-frequency data or simulations, the student will assess the consequences for CMB and SZ component separation, with the goal of identifying regimes where dust SED scatter becomes non-negligible and improved modeling is required.

Required Background

Background in astrophysics and experience with Python programming