Polarization of the cosmic background radiation

This thesis discusses the results and technique of a measurement of the linear polarization of the Cosmic Background Radiation. The ground-based experiment utilizes a single horn (70 beam width) Dicke-type microwave polarimeter operating at 33 GHz (9.1mm.) Data taken between May 1978 and February 1980 from both the northern hemisphere (Berkeley Lat. = 380N) and the southern hemisphere (Lima Lat. = 120S) show the radiation to be essentially unpolarized over all areas surveyed. For the 380 declination data the 95% confidence level limit on a linearly polarized component is 0.3 mK for the average and 12 and 24 hour periods. Fitting all data gives the 95% confidence level limit on a lineraly polarized component of 0.3 mK for spherical harmonics through third order. Constraints on various cosmological models are discussed in light of these limits