Maximum Entropy Reasoning: From Cosmological Likelihood Functions to Quantum Field Theory

Add to your list(s) Download to your calendar using vCal

• Steven Gratton (IoA)
• Monday 22 November 2010, 13:00-14:00
• CMS, Pav.B, CTC Common Room (B1.19).

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Andrew Pontzen.

In this talk I review the maximum entropy principle and discuss its use in obtaining usable probability distributions for measurable quantities. I argue that maximum entropy reasoning gives a Bayesian motivation for certain “high-l” cosmological likelihood approximations, useful for the analysis of large cosmic microwave background datasets such as that expected from the Planck mission. I then show how the principle provides a means to systematically improve such approximations should the need arise. In light of the reasoning applied, I end by discussing connections between maximum entropy reasoning and quantum field theory.

This talk is part of the Cosmology Lunch series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• All CMS events
• CMS Events
• CMS, Pav.B, CTC Common Room (B1.19)
• Cambridge Astronomy Talks
• Cosmology Lunch
• Cosmology lists
• Cosmology, Astrophysics and General Relativity
• DAMTP info aggregator
• Interested Talks
• Kavli Institute for Cosmology Talk Lists
• Priscilla
• bld31

Note that ex-directory lists are not shown.