Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the interpretation of the symbol M_{Pl} in the context of the Planck (CMB) collaboration's observation papers. Participants are questioning whether M_{Pl} refers to the Planck mass or the reduced Planck mass, exploring the definitions and usage of these terms in the literature.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- One participant inquires about the specific value of M_{Pl} used in Planck collaboration papers and whether it denotes the Planck mass or the reduced Planck mass.
- Another participant references the NIST webpage to provide the value of the Planck mass but seeks clarification on what is meant by "reduced" Planck mass.
- A participant mentions that the reduced Planck mass is defined in literature but notes the interchangeable use of M_{Pl} for both masses in various papers.
- Several participants suggest looking at specific sources, including ESA's Planck website and related articles, for the value of m_pl used in the context.
- One participant proposes a notation convention for indicating the reduced Planck mass, suggesting the use of a diagonal line through the letters in the subscript to avoid confusion.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express uncertainty regarding the consistent definition of M_{Pl} in the literature, indicating that there is no clear consensus on whether it refers to the Planck mass or the reduced Planck mass.
Contextual Notes
The discussion highlights the ambiguity in the notation used in various papers and the potential for misinterpretation due to inconsistent typesetting practices.