Negative intensity patches in angular variations of CMB as a probe of the period of reionization

Abstract

The observational tests for the period of reionization of the universe are discussed. We show that this period can be observed as {\it negative} intensity patches of the CMB radiation with the amplitude $\delta T/T\sim 10^{-5}$ and the angular sizes $\theta_T\sim$10 angular seconds in range of the wavelength 0.1 cm$\leq\lambda\leq$1 cm. The expected number density and frequency dependence of the amplitude permit to recognize this effect and to discriminate it from the noise. This method applied to the small scale variations of CMB temperature complements well the traditional spectral approach. The number density and the amplitude of observed 'negative' intensity patches depend upon the redshift of reionization that allow to estimate roughly this redshift. The ionized bubbles formed just before the period of reionization could also be seen as the highest peaks. The expected results are sensitive to the Jeans scale at the period of reionization, to the small scale shape of the primordial power spectrum and to the mass of dark matter particles.