Partition function based analysis of CMB maps

We present an alternative method to analyse cosmic microwave background (CMB) maps. We base our analysis on the study of the partition function. This function is used to examine the CMB maps making use of the different information embedded at different scales and moments. Using the partition function in a likelihood analysis in two dimensions (Q_rms,n), we find the best-fitting model to the best data available at present the COBE--DMR 4 years data set. By means of this analysis we find a maximum in the likelihood function for n=1.8 (-0.65 +0.35) and Q_rms-PS = 10 (-2.5 +3) muK (95 % confidence level) in agreement with the results of other similar analyses (Smoot et al. 1994 (1 yr), Bennet e…