 The BICEP2 detector array under a microscope | |
| Alternative names | Background Imaging of Cosmic Extragalactic Polarization |
|---|---|
| Part of | Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station  |
| Location(s) | Antarctic Treaty area |
| Coordinates | 89°59′59″S 0°00′00″E / 89.999722°S 0°E |
| Wavelength | 95, 150, 220 GHz (3.2, 2.0, 1.4 mm) |
| Telescope style | cosmic microwave background experiment radio telescope |
| Diameter | 0.25 m (9.8 in) |
| Website | www |
  Location of BICEP and Keck Array | |
 Related media on Commons | |
BICEP (Background Imaging of Cosmic Extragalactic Polarization) and the Keck Array are a series of cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiments. They aim to measure the polarization of the CMB; in particular, measuring the B-mode of the CMB. The experiments have had five generations of instrumentation, consisting of BICEP1 (or just BICEP), BICEP2, the Keck Array, BICEP3, and the BICEP Array. The Keck Array started observations in 2012 and BICEP3 has been fully operational since May 2016, with the BICEP Array beginning installation in 2017/18.