The observability of topological defects with ground-based interferometers

Topological defect theories lead to non-Gaussian features on maps of fluctuations of the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR), which enable us to distinguish them from maps predicted by standard inflationary models. We have recently presented a maximum entropy method (MEM) which simultaneously deconvolves interferometer maps of CMBR fluctuations, and separates out foreground contaminants. By applying this method to simulated observations using a realistic ground-based interferometer, we demonstrate that it is possible to recover the prominent hotspots in the CMBR maps which delineate individual defects, even in the presence of a significant Galactic foreground.