CMB lensing power and cross-correlations with the AdvancedACT experiment

By directly probing the cosmic mass distribution, measurements of gravitational lensing in the CMB provide a wealth of information about neutrino masses and dark energy. New data from AdvancedACT, an ongoing ground-based CMB experiment, provide possibilities for lensing measurements with unprecedented power. In this project, a student will complete multiple CMB lensing analyses with this new AdvancedACT data, allowing them to take a leading role in the field of CMB lensing science. First, the student will lead a cross-correlation analysis of AdvancedACT CMB lensing maps and BOSS galaxy data. By combining cross-correlations with BOSS galaxy clustering, and completing theoretical modeling of biases and non-linear clustering, the student will derive new constraints on dark energy. Second, the student will extract the lensing power spectrum from one of the final AdvancedACT CMB maps. From their analysis, they will derive a novel measurement of the unknown sum of neutrino masses. The student will also complete theory and methods projects related to their analysis work.