Reionization and Structure Formation with ARCADE

Abstract

Structure formation in the early universe is expected to produce a cosmological background of free-free emission. The Absolute Radiometer for Cosmology, Astrophysics, and Diffuse Emission (ARCADE) will measure the spectrum of the cosmic microwave background at centimeter wavelengths to detect this signature of structure formation. I describe the ARCADE instrument and the cryogenic engineering required to achieve mK accuracy at such long wavelengths.