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Observational Hurdles in Cosmology: the Impact of Galaxy Physics on Redshift-Space Distortions

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Observational Hurdles in Cosmology: the Impact of Galaxy Physics on Redshift-Space Distortions Observational Hurdles in Cosmology: The Impact of Galaxy Physics on Redshift-Space Distortions Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Daniel Taylor Martens, B.A., B.S., M.S. Graduate Program in Physics The Ohio State University 2018 Dissertation Committee: Christopher M. Hirata, Advisor David Weinberg Klaus Honscheid Ezekiel Johnston-Halperin c Copyright by Daniel Taylor Martens 2018 Abstract The modern study of cosmology is centered around the mysteries of Dark Matter and Dark Energy. The observable Universe, although highly non-linear on small scales, can be described statistically on large scales. Careful study of the large- scale structure of the Universe can provide powerful insights into the structure and evolution of matter, allowing constraints to be placed on the nature of Dark Energy and Dark Matter. This thesis contains the work that I have done to contribute to the understanding of these mysteries, in several specific situations. In Chapter 2, I discuss the effect of [N ii] and Hα line blending on measured redshift-space distortion and baryon acoustic oscillation parameters for the upcoming WFIRST telescope, which will help to measure the evolution of Dark Energy. Chapter 3 presents a radial measurement of the tidal alignment magnitude, providing a complementary method to gauge how strongly galaxies couple with the local gravitational field during formation. Finally, in Chapter 4 I lay the framework for a fully general calculation of the effects of resonant line scattering on the polarization anisotropies of the Cosmic Microwave Background. ii to my companions on the journey of life: Morgan, Andrew, Darian and David iii Acknowledgments When I was a kid, I was fascinated by outer space. I would frequently look up space-related facts at home so I could impress my teachers at school to the point where they had begun to ask me what my `daily fact' was. (Sometimes, I would repeat the fact from the day before, hoping that they would not remember). My interest in learning as much as I could led me to a Bachelor's Degree in physics, and I decided to continue to push my limits by earning a PhD. Beginning my graduate school career, I had no idea what specific area of physics I wanted to go into { I just knew that I loved to learn. As fate would have it, I ended up working in the field of Cosmology, studying under Chris Hirata, bringing me back to the fascination of space from my childhood. My five years at The Ohio State University have been an incredible experience, in no small part due to the atmosphere of the CCAPP department and Chris Hirata's working group. I have nothing but the highest praise for Chris as both an advisor and an individual. I am grateful for his guidance and patience; his deep understanding of cosmology and physics is only surpassed by his humility and kindness. My experience at Ohio State has been a difficult but rewarding journey, and I could not have completed my doctorate without the help of many, many people. My incredible wife Morgan has been by my side throughout the entire journey, and has supported me through the good times and the bad. My mother Marilee first gave me iv the dream of getting my PhD when I saw her earn a PhD in psychology. My father Craig taught me to be responsible, to work hard, and to be loving. My brothers Andrew, Darian, and David; Andrew, who I will always look up to, thank you for being there for me whenever I needed it. Darian, I can't put into words how much you have meant to me. David, your loyalty and friendship have helped me more than you know. Still others have helped shape my career within physics. My AP physics teacher, Doug Forrest, helped instill within me a love for physics which has lead me to where I am now. Xiao Fang and Paulo Montero-Camacho helped to create the greatest graduate student office in history; Paulo kept me sane with frequent conversations about video games, and Xiao's eternal optimism was a beacon through the shadows of confusing equations and difficult projects. You are both destined for great things! To the members of my committee, David Weinberg, Klaus Honscheid, and Ezekiel Johnston-Halperin, thank you for your guidance and support. I am lucky to have a large extended network of friends and family; the reason why I work is to spend time with these people! To my gaming buddies, Darian Richardson, James Jin, Skyler Newcom, Scott Cecil, Adrian Richardson, Brandon Richardson, Justin Newcom, and Alex Long - we have spent many hours together, and hopefully we will have many more in the future! To Aref Jadallah, Melvin Barnes, Justin Khol, Antonio Atria, and the rest of the club basketball team - playing with you was a pleasure. We have made many memories that I will never forget. To my close family of Jim and Lisa Williams, Madeline Glodowski, Jen and Kris Richardson, my grandmother Elaine, my extended Martens' family, and the vast network of Newcoms: you have given me a place to call home. Thank you. v Finally, the incredible atmosphere of CCAPP is due to the great people we have that have helped me to learn and grow. Eric Huff, Michael Troxel, Ashley Ross, Ami Choi, and Niall MacCrann were the most amazing post-docs I could ever ask to work with. I am forever grateful for the countless questions you have fielded for me over the last few years. John Beacom, you have helped to both begin and foster the great environment I worked in - thank you for keeping my spirits up! Other graduate students I have loved working with, including Eric Speckhard, Ben Buckman, Shirley Li, Jahmour Givans, Joe McEwen, Matthew Digman, and Bianca Davis, I am so grateful for your companionship on the journey we chose to undertake. You all have great things waiting for you. To everyone above, thank you. In all of my achievements, past and present, you are both the `why' and the `how.' vi Vita 2013 . .B.A., B.S. University of Cincinnati 2015 ........................................M.S. The Ohio State University Publications Research Publications \A Radial Measurement of the Galaxy Tidal Alignment Magnitude with BOSS Data" Martens D., Hirata C. M., Ross A. J., Fang X. Submitted to Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society \Effects of [NII] and Hα Line Blending on the WFIRST Galaxy Redshift Survey" Martens D., Fang X., Troxel M. A., DeRose J., Ross A. J., Hirata C. M., Wechsler R. H., Wang Y. Submitted to Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Fields of Study Major Field: Physics vii Table of Contents Page Abstract....................................... ii Dedication...................................... iii Acknowledgments . iv Vita ......................................... vii ListofTables.................................... xi List of Figures . xiii 1. Introduction..................................1 1.1 The Science of Cosmology . .1 1.1.1 StateoftheField........................1 1.1.2 Thesis Overview . .3 1.2 Introduction to Cosmology . .6 1.3 Correlation Functions and Power Spectra . .8 1.4 Redshift Space Distortions . 12 1.5 Gravitational Lensing . 17 1.6 Cosmic Microwave Background . 20 2. Effects of [N ii] and Hα Line Blending on the WFIRST Galaxy Redshift Survey..................................... 25 2.1 Introduction .............................. 25 2.2 Objectives................................ 30 2.3 Calculation Outline . 34 2.4 Simulation ............................... 37 2.4.1 Catalog generation . 37 viii 2.4.2 Assignment of the [N ii]/Hα ratio . 38 2.4.3 Data binning and redshift distributions . 42 2.4.4 Correlation functions . 45 2.5 Parameter fitting . 49 2.5.1 Covariance matrices . 51 2.5.2 RSD parameter fitting . 54 2.5.3 BAO Parameters . 56 2.5.4 FittingResults ......................... 58 2.6 Measuring and Correcting Error Terms . 61 2.6.1 Effect of correlations between [N ii]/Hα and large-scale envi- ronment............................. 65 2.6.2 Effects of the one-point redshift error PDF . 67 2.7 Discussion . 69 3. A Radial Measurement of the Galaxy Tidal Alignment Magnitude with BOSSData .................................. 74 3.1 Introduction .............................. 74 3.2 Theory ................................. 79 3.2.1 Redshift space distortions . 79 3.2.2 Intrinsic alignment effects on RSD measurements . 80 3.2.3 Sub-samples using the Fundamental Plane offset . 85 3.2.4 Redshift space distortions of sub-samples . 88 3.2.5 Theoretical expectations . 90 3.3 Surveydata............................... 92 3.3.1 Sample definition and characteristics . 92 3.3.2 Data preprocessing . 95 3.3.3 Sample splitting by orientation . 98 3.3.4 Systematics tests, random splits, and blinding procedures . 103 3.4 Clustering statistics . 112 3.4.1 Correlation functions . 112 3.4.2 Covariance matrices . 115 3.5 Analysis................................. 117 3.5.1 Parameter fitting methods . 117 3.5.2 Finger of God Effects . 120 3.5.3 Full sample results . 123 3.5.4 Phase I: Statistical uncertainties . 125 3.5.5 Systematics-biased subsamples . 126 3.5.6 PhaseII............................. 134 3.5.7 Phase III: Final results . 137 3.6 Conclusion . 142 ix 4. The Effects of Resonant Line Scattering During Recombination on the CMB Power Spectrum . 144 4.1 Introduction .............................. 144 4.2 Formalism................................ 147 4.3 Atomic State Equations . 152 4.3.1 Ground State Change Due to Absorption . 153 4.3.2 Excited State Change Due to Absorption . 163 4.3.3 Excited State Change Due to Emission . 165 4.3.4 Ground State Change Due to Emission . 168 4.3.5 Total Atomic Equation . 169 4.4 Photon Phase Space Density . 170 4.5 Results ................................. 183 4.6 FutureWork .............................. 185 Appendices 188 A.
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