A BAYESIAN METHOD FOR ANALYZING INTERFEROMETER OBSERVATIONS OF COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND FLUCTUATIONS

A Bayesian method is presented for analysing interferometer observations of cosmic microwave background fluctuations. The general method used is applicable to any parametrization of the fluctuations, but explicit calculations are restricted to the case of fluctuations described by a Gaussian autocorrelation function. Simulated observations of such fluctuations are made using a model interferometer with realistic capabilities. These simulations show that fluctuations of the magnitude favoured by current theories should be detectable with such an instrument.