Hyperfine transitions in atoms and rotational transitions in molecules of the early Universe as a possible source of CMB distortions
In the near future, measurements are expected to detect the influence of the hyperfine transition in the ground state of the hydrogen atom on the cosmic microwave background (CMB) spectrum. This raises the question of what other substances could produce similar distortions and to what extent. This work presents a systematic analysis of the potential for the most abundant atoms, molecules, and their ions to distort the CMB spectrum. In addition, the wavelength ranges for all the transitions considered in which such distortions might be observed have been calculated. As a result, we conclude that the distortions caused by the most abundant elements are orders of magnitude smaller than those produced by hydrogen.
physics.gen-ph↗