LFI-Validation

Overview

Data validation is a step of paramount importance in the complex process of data analysis and the extraction of the final scientific goals of an experiment. The LFI approach to data validation is based upon null-tests approach and here we present the rationale behind envisaged/performed null-tests and the actual results for the present data release. Also we will provide results of the same kind of tests performed on previous release to show the overall improvements in the data quality.

Null-tests approach

In general null-tests are performed in order to highlight possible issues in the data related to instrumental systematic effect not properly accounted for within the processing pipeline and related to known events of the operational conditions (e.g. switch-over of the sorption coolers) or to intrinsic instrument properties coupled with sky signal like stray-light contamination.

Such null-tests are expected to be performed considering data on different time scales ranging from 1-minute to one year of observations, at different unit level (radiometer, horn, horn-pair, within frequency and cross-frequency both in total intensity and, when applicable, to polarisation.