Synergies Between 21Cm & Optical Surveys for Probing Large Scale Cosmic Structure
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Synergies Between 21cm & Optical Surveys for Probing Large Scale Cosmic Structure PhD Thesis By Steven D. CUNNINGTON Institute of Cosmology & Gravitation UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH The thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Doctor of Cosmology of the University of Portsmouth. Submission: SEPTEMBER 2019 Supervisors: Prof. David Bacon Dr. Alkistis Pourtsidou ABSTRACT e are currently living through an era of precision cosmology where we have gathered a substantial amount of data with the aim of understanding our Universe. However, W our current understanding is far from complete as our most successful cosmological model relies on the Universe’s energy-matter content being vastly dominated by components that are not yet detected and not currently compatible with our wider general model of physics. This leaves plenty more investigation to be done and new techniques for probing our Universe are highly sought after. Mapping unresolved neutral hydrogen within galaxies is one of these novel techniques and has been gaining momentum over the last decade. By using the 21cm signal from neutral hydrogen, which traces the underlying large scale cosmic structure, we can map and statistically analyse 3D density distributions and compare these to theoretical models. I provide a detailed introduction to this novel HI intensity mapping technique in Chapter2. This thesis also explores what gains can be made by combining HI intensity mapping data with more conventional optical galaxy redshift surveys. There are many reasons why a cross- correlation such as this will be beneficial. While the intensity mapping technique is developed and refined, optical data can boost the inherently weak HI signal allowing detection and a deeper understanding of the intensity mapping process. Also in the future, when we have dedicated intensity mapping instruments gathering data, cross-correlations will see reductions in the different systematics which could otherwise dominate the uncertainty in any auto-correlations. With the use of computer simulations, I look to forecast benefits to be gained from this synergy and in Chapter3 I provide an example of how H I intensity maps can be used to constrain photometric redshifts on optical imaging surveys. The largest problem preventing the success of HI intensity mapping comes from 21cm fore- grounds whose signals dominate by several orders of magnitude over the weak HI cosmological signal. While we have several methods for cleaning these foregrounds, understanding the impact these reconstructions have on the data is crucial and is the key theme in Chapters4 and5. Again using computer simulations of cosmological HI intensity mapping signals and their foreground contamination, I show how foregrounds can be removed and with some additional treatment, successfully used in cross-correlation with an optical photometric galaxy survey. This indicates a promising future for cosmology and suggests the next-generation of optical telescopes such as LSST and Euclid, should benefit hugely from synergies with intensity mapping data provided by a next-generation radio telescope such as the SKA. ii DEDICATION &ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS “Like a cow that every day in 10 years sees the train cross in front at the same time. If you ask the cow, ‘what time is the train going to come’, it is not going to know the right answer." — Mauricio Pochettino would like to begin by thanking my brilliant supervisors, David and Alkistis, both of whom I am in an infinite state of debt to. During my PhD I have seen both of them receive promo- Itions and they are thoroughly deserving of this success. I have been truly fortunate to have two academics with a seemingly endless supply of knowledge and patience and a large part of my development is owed to them. I would also like to thank all of my (past and present) collaborators Ian Harrison, Laura Wolz, Chris Blake and Julian Bautista, each of whom it has been a pleasure to work with and learn from. Furthermore, I thank the many talented colleagues and acquaintances within the cosmology community who have helped with useful discussions and advice such as David Alonso, Phil Bull, Stefano Camera, Emma Chapman, Benjamin Joachimi, Mario Santos, Anna Zoldan, and no doubt many more. Throughout my PhD I have been fortunate enough to be offered the chance to speak at a number of local astronomical societies or science groups. The enthusiasm I find at every one of these volunteer-run groups is astounding and I am grateful for the excellent engagement I receive when I discuss my research with these groups. Some of the most challenging questions I have received after providing a talk have come from these sessions and they have motivated me to broaden my knowledge as far as possible. Were it not for my regular opportunities to play football, I feel this PhD would have tested my sanity far more. So therefore I am grateful for all those around the University of Portsmouth I have played with. In particular I would like to thank our 5-a-side team ICG Intergalácticos, whose rapid progression in the University Staff League I hope will continue. Also, a thank you to all those involved in our series of 11-a-side matches against the Physics undergraduate students, especially since the staff are still leading the series 3-1! I am grateful to my parents and a wide supporting family who provide the foundations to my life. I would like to end by thanking the most important person in my life. You have been with me since the start of my higher education in Physics and your love and companionship has helped more than you will ever realise or I’ll ever be able to express. My partner Justine, I dedicate this to you. ——————————————————————————————————————————— My work is supported by the University of Portsmouth. Numerical computations for this thesis were done on the Sciama High Performance Compute (HPC) cluster which is supported by the ICG, SEPNet, and the University of Portsmouth. iii TABLEOF CONTENTS Page Author’s Declaration vii Dissemination vii Preface viii 1 Introduction 1 1.1 The Space-Time Metric.................................. 3 1.2 Cosmological Observables & Parameters ........................ 4 1.2.1 Redshift ....................................... 4 1.2.2 Distances ..................................... 5 1.2.3 Hubble Parameter ................................. 7 1.3 Friedmann Cosmological Models............................ 8 1.3.1 Friedmann Equations.............................. 8 1.3.2 Equation of State................................. 9 1.3.3 Late-Time Acceleration & Dark Energy.................... 9 1.4 ¤CDM............................................ 10 1.4.1 The Cosmological Constant (¤) .........................11 1.4.2 Cold Dark Matter (CDM) ............................ 13 1.5 Large-Scale Cosmic Structure...............................14 1.5.1 Two-Point Correlation Function & Power Spectrum ............ 15 1.5.2 Structure Growth................................. 15 1.5.3 Redshift Space Distortions ........................... 18 1.6 Summary...........................................21 2 HI (21cm) Intensity Mapping 23 2.1 Cosmic History of Hydrogen............................... 23 2.1.1 The Early Universe.................................24 2.1.2 Dark Ages & the Epoch of Reionization.....................24 2.1.3 HI in the Post-Reionization Universe..................... 25 2.2 Mapping Unresolved 21cm Emission.......................... 25 2.2.1 Intensity Response for Radio Telescopes................... 26 2.2.2 Interferometer or Single-Dish ......................... 28 iv TABLE OF CONTENTS 2.2.3 Telescope Systematics.............................. 29 2.2.4 Cross-Correlation with Optical Surveys.................... 30 2.3 HI Cosmological Formalism............................... 32 2.3.1 Characterising the 21cm Signal ........................ 33 2.3.2 Power Spectrum ................................. 36 2.3.3 HI Halo Model .................................. 38 2.4 Simulating 21cm Cosmology............................... 39 2.4.1 Building Structure ................................ 39 2.4.2 Assigning HI ................................... 40 2.4.3 Mocks for HI-Galaxy Cross-Correlations....................41 2.5 Summary.......................................... 43 3 Clustering-Based Redshift Estimation with HI Intensity Maps 45 3.1 Introduction ........................................ 45 3.2 Simulations..........................................47 3.2.1 Simulating HI Intensity Maps ......................... 48 3.2.2 Optical Galaxy Sample.............................. 53 3.3 Estimator Formalism....................................54 3.3.1 Bias Treatment ...................................57 3.4 Results & Discussion ................................... 58 3.4.1 Bright HI-Rich Sources ............................. 59 3.4.2 Foreground Removal............................... 60 3.4.3 Varying Beam Size................................ 63 3.4.4 Improvement on Photometric Redshift Measurements ...........67 3.5 Summary.......................................... 69 4 Foreground Contamination in HI Intensity Maps 73 4.1 Introduction .........................................74 4.2 Cosmological Signals & Their Simulation ....................... 75 4.2.1 HI Intensity Map Simulation.......................... 79 4.2.2 Optical Galaxy Catalogue Simulation..................... 82 4.3 21cm Foregrounds & Their Simulation..........................84 4.3.1 Galactic Synchrotron ...............................84 4.3.2