Polarization of the Cosmic Gravitational Wave Background

Synopsis

The Cosmic Gravitational Wave Background (CGB) is a hypothesized relic radiation field that, if detected, would give us clues to the earliest moments of the history of the Universe. In this talk accessible to students and non-experts, I will describe the physical processes that can give rise to a CGB, novel features including its polarization, and methods of detection. I will also discuss the ability of the proposed Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, LISA, to detect the CGB.