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    Searching for inflationary physics with the CMB trispectrum. III. Constraints from Planck

    Oliver H. E. Philcox*

    • *Contact author: ohep2@cantab.ac.uk

    Phys. Rev. D 111, 123534 – Published 17 June, 2025

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/y81z-g7th

    Abstract

    Is there new physics hidden in the four-point function of the cosmic microwave background (CMB)? We conduct a detailed analysis of the Planck PR4 temperature and polarization trispectrum for ℓ∈[2,2048]. Using the theoretical and computational tools developed by Philcox in Paper I [Phys. Rev. D 111, 123532 (2025).] and Paper II [Phys. Rev. D 111, 123533 (2025).], we search for 33 template amplitudes, encoding a variety of effects from inflationary self-interactions to particle exchange. We find no evidence for primordial non-Gaussianity and set stringent constraints on both phenomenological amplitudes and couplings in the inflationary Lagrangian. Because of the use of optimal estimators and polarization data, our constraints are highly competitive. For example, we find σ(gNLloc)=4.8×104 and τNLloc<1500 (95% CL), a factor of 2 improvement on effective field theory amplitudes, and a 43σ detection of gravitational lensing. Many templates are analyzed for the first time, such as direction-dependent trispectra and the collapsed limit of the “cosmological collider,” across a range of masses and spins. We perform a variety of validation tests; while our results are stable, the most relevant systematics are found to be lensing bias, residual foregrounds, and mismatch between simulations and data. The techniques discussed in this series can be extended to future datasets, allowing the primordial Universe to be probed at even higher sensitivity.

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