We are very pleased to announce our B-mode spectrum results! The papers, data, and figures can be viewed and downloaded here:

http://bicepkeck.org
BICEP2 BB auto spectra and 95% upper limits from several previous experiments
BICEP2 BB auto spectra and 95% upper limits from several previous experiments (Leitch et al. 2005; Montroy et al. 2006; Sievers et al. 2007; Bischoff et al. 2008; Brown et al. 2009; QUIET Collaboration et al. 2011, 2012; Bennett et al. 2013; Barkats et al. 2014; POLARBEAR Collaboration 2014). The curves show the theory expectations for r = 0.2 and lensed-ΛCDM.
Graduate student Jonathan Kaufman placing a protective cover on top of the BICEP2 window's baffling in preparation for the installation of a 45 degree mirror for calibrations.
Graduate student Jonathan Kaufman placing a protective cover on top of the BICEP2 window's baffling in preparation for the installation of a 45 degree mirror for calibrations.

BICEP2 Science

BICEP2 has detected the B-mode polarization of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) at large angular scales. This polarization is consistent with that caused by gravitational waves predicted by Inflation.

Depiction of the history of the universe.
Photo courtesy of JPL.

BICEP2 Telescope

The papers, data, and figures can be viewed and downloaded here:

http://bicepkeck.org

For a more in-depth description of the BICEP2 instrument, please see this paper.

BICEP2 employs arrays of slot-dipole antennas coupled to low-temperature tranisiton edge sensor (TES) bolometers to detect the faint polarization signature of the cosmic microwave background. Shown here is the back side of the focal plane where the dipole arrays are visible.

BICEP2 is an on-axis refractor which is employs a combination of liquid Helium and a three-stage Helium sorption refrigerator to cool the detectors to 0.27 degrees above absolute zero.

The telescope was designed to be as compact as possible while still having the angular resolution to observe degree-scale features (where the inflationary B-mode signature peaks).

On-axis, refractive optics allow the entire telescope to rotate around the optical axis for polarization modulation.

BICEP2 Papers

The papers, data, and figures can be viewed and downloaded here:

http://bicepkeck.org

BICEP2 Travelogue

Two of the most commonly asked questions are "how do you get to the South Pole?" and "what's it like?" (followed usually by "how cold is it?")

Graduate student Jonathan Kaufman kept a blog during several of his trips with answers to many of these questions:

http://sp2k9.blogspot.com

In addition, a traveling adventurer who worked as a cook for a season kept a fantastic blog documenting the South Pole, as well as BICEP2.

A tour of BICEP2 Refilling the liquid Helium tanks Travels in Antarctica