Vectorised version of File:HistoryOfUniverse-BICEP2-20140317.png
http://bicepkeck.org/visuals.html
The bottom part of this illustration shows the scale of the universe versus time. Specific events are shown such as the formation of neutral Hydrogen at 380 000 years after the big bang. Prior to this time, the constant interaction between matter (electrons) and light (photons) made the universe opaque. After this time, the photons we now call the CMB started streaming freely. The fluctuations (differences from place to place) in the matter distribution left their imprint on the CMB photons. The density waves appear as temperature and "E-mode" polarization. The gravitational waves leave a characteristic signature in the CMB polarization: the "B-modes". Both density and gravitational waves come from quantum fluctuations which have been magnified by inflation to be present at the time when the CMB photons were emitted.
National Science Foundation (NASA, JPL, Keck Foundation, Moore Foundation, related) - Funded BICEP2 Program

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Own work
Original:  Drbogdan Vector:  Yinweichen