Constraining stochastic gravitational wave background from weak lensing of CMB B-modes

Abstract

A stochastic gravitational wave background (SGWB) will affect the CMB anisotropies via weak lensing. Unlike weak lensing due to large scale structure which only deflects photon trajectories, a SGWB has an additional effect of rotating the polarization vector along the trajectory. We study the relative importance of these two effects, deflection & rotation, specifically in the context of E-mode to B-mode power transfer caused by weak lensing due to SGWB. Using weak lensing distortion of the CMB as a probe, we derive constraints on the spectral energy density (Ω_GW) of the SGWB, sourced at different redshifts, without assuming any particular model for its origin. We present these bounds on Ω_GW for different power-law models characterizing the SGWB, indicating the threshold above which observable imprints of SGWB must be present in CMB.