Constraints on primordial magnetic fields from their impact on the ionization history with Planck 2018

We update and extend our previous cosmic microwave background anisotropy constraints on primordial magnetic fields through their dissipation by ambipolar diffusion and magnetohydrodynamic decaying turbulence effects on the post-recombination ionization history. We derive the constraints using the latest Planck 2018 data release which improves on the E-mode polarization leading to overall tighter constraints with respect to Planck 2015. We also use the low-multipole E-mode polarization likelihood obtained by the SROLL2 map making algorithm and we note how it is compatible with larger magnetic field amplitudes than the Planck 2018 baseline, especially for positive spectral indices. The 95 per cent confidence level constraints on the amplitude of the magnetic fields from the combination of the effects is root < B-2 > < 0.69( < 0.72) nG for Planck 2018 (SROLL2) by marginalizing on the magnetic spectral index. We also investigate the impact of a damping scale allowed to vary and the interplay between the magnetic field effects and the lensing amplitude parameter.

Automated summary

We update and extend the constraints on primordial magnetic fields in the cosmic microwave background through the dissipation effects of ambipolar diffusion and magnetohydrodynamic decaying turbulence. Using the latest data release and map making algorithm, our study achieves tighter constraints on the magnetic field amplitudes.