Franz Elsner (UCL) "Parameter estimation in cosmology – The Planck likelihood"

Abstract:
The inference of cosmological parameters requires the construction of a likelihood function that acts as an interface between theory and observational data. Using the CMB experiment Planck as a worked example, I provide an overview of the challenges associated with the analysis of high-resolution, state of the art experiments. In particular, I will discuss the approximations necessary to make an analysis feasible in practice, the role of nuisance parameters, and tests used to assess the robustness of the results. Reviewing the most important cosmological implications of Planck, I will conclude with an outlook of what we can expect to learn from future experiments.