Experimental CMB Status and Prospects: A Report from Snowmass 2001

Abstract

In recent years the promise of experimental study of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) has been demonstrated. Herein a brief summary of the field is followed by an indication of future directions. The prospects for further revelations from the details of the CMB are excellent. The future work is well-suited to the interests of high energy physics experimentalists: the projects seek to understand the fundamental nature of the universe, require subtle experimental techniques to keep systematics in control, produce large, rich data sets, and must be implemented by multi-institutional collaborations.