MICROWAVE

The project aims to experimentally test the possible preconfining phase in electromagnetic propagation at microwave frequencies and low temperatures, predicted by the thermodynamics of SU(2) Yang-Mills theory and proposed to explain anomalies in the cosmic microwave background radiation. 

An absolute cryogenic radiometer will be developed to measure the total radiation of a blackbody between 8 K and 28 K, over frequencies from 4 to 20 GHz, where theory predicts a cut-off frequency that prevents photon propagation below a critical temperature. 

The experiment will also enable primary radiometric thermometry for the determination of thermodynamic temperature, relevant following the recent redefinition of the kelvin in the SI.