Cosmic ray contributions to the WMAP polarization data on the cosmic microwave background

Abstract

We have updated our analysis of the 9-year WMAP data using the collection of polarization maps looking for the presence of additional evidence for a finite ‘cosmic ray (CR) foreground’ for the cosmic microwave background (CMB). We have given special attention to high Galactic latitudes, where the recent BICEP2 findings were reported although very recent Planck data claims that dust is prevalent, thus nullifying the BICEP2 results. The method of examining the correlation with the observed gamma ray flux proposed in our earlier papers and applied to the polarization data shows that the foreground related to CRs is still observed even at high Galactic latitudes and conclusions about gravitational waves are not yet secure. Theory has it that there is important information about inflationary gravitational waves in the fine structure of the CMB polarization properties (polarization vector and angle) and it is necessary to examine further the conclusions that can be gained from studies of the CMB maps, in view of the disturbing foreground effects.