Cross-frequency SGWB anisotropy from compact topology: CMB B-mode covariance as a transfer probe

Abstract

Compact spatial topology restricts the eigenmodes of primordial tensor perturbations, and the resulting discreteness can render the primordial stochastic gravitational-wave background (SGWB) anisotropic. Here we treat the CMB tensor $B$-mode covariance as a transfer-filtered measurement of that ultra-low-frequency anisotropy. Writing the normalized angular tensor-power measure as $F(k,\hat k)=1+Q(k,\hat k)$ and its nonmonopole moments as $q_{LM}(k)$, we obtain an explicit kernel that maps $q_{LM}(k)$ onto the off-diagonal covariance $δC^{BB}_{\ell m,\ell' m'}$. The kernel factorizes into tensor transfer functions and a spin-weighted Gaunt coefficient and obeys the parity rule $L+\ell+\ell'$ even for $BB$ and odd for $TB/EB$. It is an exact source--response representation of the full compact covariance rather than an additional observable. For a cubic three-torus the geometry pins down a common cubic angular subspace and orientation across frequency bands, although the amplitudes of the allowed multipoles still depend on the radial shell and source spectrum. The same topology-restricted template can therefore be read out either through the CMB $B$-mode kernel or through the anisotropy response of PTA/LISA/Taiji/TianQin searches. Using CAMB transfer functions and an invariant anisotropic-template statistic, we contrast this tensor channel with the scalar $T/E$ covariance. Independent direct angular-shell sums and $q_{LM}$--Gaunt contractions agree at $L_q^{\max}=2\ell_{\max}$ to relative Frobenius residuals of $1.4\times10^{-14}$--$3.0\times10^{-14}$. The scalar sector holds most of the practical CMB topology information; a fixed-template scan places the combined full-sky $S/N=1$ transition between $L/χ_*=2.34$ and $2.36$, while the $B$-mode channel remains subthreshold but isolates the primordial SGWB contribution.