Residual fluctuations in the matter and radiation distribution after the decoupling epoch

The residual spectra of matter and radiation fluctuations in the early universe are investigated. The authors study the evolution of primordial adiabatic and isothermal fluctuations through the decoupling epoch. Amplification of adiabatic density fluctuations during decoupling, or velocity 'overshoot', is largely suppressed by Compton drag. Consequently, the amplitude of density fluctuations entering the horizon prior to decoupling is larger than hitherto assumed in the adiabatic theory. Damping of primordial adiabatic density fluctuations by an order of magnitude occurs on mass-scales of 3 X 1013 M(sun)(Ω = 1) or 1014M(sun) (Ω = 0.2). Comparison of the residual radiation fluctuations with observational limits indicates that the adiabatic theory is only acceptable if re-ionization of the intergalactic medium results in additional scattering of the radiation after decoupling. Primordial isothermal fluctuations are found to yield radiation fluctuations which are insensitive to the assumed spectrum and lie a factor approximately 5 below current limits. (Auth.)