Phase statistics of the WMAP 7 year data
  We performed a comprehensive statistical analysis using complex phases of the
a_lm coefficients computed from the most recent data of the Wilkinson Microwave
Anisotropy Probe (WMAP). Our aim was to confirm or constrain the presence of
non-Gaussianities in the data. We found phase correlations - that suggest
non-Gaussianity - at high-l in a_lm coefficients by applying various
statistical tests. Most of all, we detected a non-Gaussian signal reaching a
significance of 4.7 sigma using random walk statistics and simulations.
However, our conclusion is that the non-Gaussian behavior is due to
contamination from galactic foregrounds that show up in small scales only. When
masked out the contaminated regions, we found no significant non-Gaussianity.
Furthermore, we constrained the f_NL parameter using CMB simulations that mimic
primordial non-Gaussianity. Our estimate is f_NL=40 +/- 200, in agreement with
previous measurements and inflationary expectations.
