BICEP and Keck Array

BICEP (Background Imaging of Cosmic Extragalactic Polarization) and the Keck Array are a series of cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiments. They aim to measure the polarization of the CMB; in particular, measuring the B-mode of the CMB. The experiments have had five generations of instrumentation, consisting of BICEP1 (or just BICEP), BICEP2, the Keck Array, BICEP3, and the BICEP Array. The Keck Array started observations in 2012 and BICEP3 has been fully operational since May 2016, with the BICEP Array beginning installation in 2017/18.

BICEP
The BICEP2 detector array under a microscope
Alternative namesBackground Imaging of Cosmic Extragalactic Polarization
Part ofAmundsen–Scott South Pole Station 
Location(s)Antarctic Treaty area
Coordinates89°59′59″S 0°00′00″E
Wavelength95, 150, 220 GHz (3.2, 2.0, 1.4 mm)
Telescope stylecosmic microwave background experiment
radio telescope 
Diameter0.25 m (9.8 in)
Websitewww.cfa.harvard.edu/CMB/keckarray/
Location of BICEP and Keck Array
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