Estimating non-gaussian bias using counts of tracers

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Dalal, Neal, Percival, Will J.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Dalal, Neal
Percival, Will J.
author_facet Dalal, Neal
Percival, Will J.
contents Local-type primordial non-gaussianity generates a distinctive term in the clustering of tracers of large-scale structure, behaving as $k^{-2}$ at small wavenumbers $k$. In order to use this signal in a sample of galaxies to measure the amplitude of primordial non-gaussianity, $f_{NL}$, we need to independently determine the degenerate bias coefficient, $b_Φ$, which quantifies the logarithmic response of the galaxy number density to a change in amplitude of the matter clustering. We study whether $b_Φ$ may be estimated from the observed evolution of the number density of galaxies as a function of redshift. Using cosmological N-body simulations, we find that $b_Φ$ may be estimated reasonably well for dark matter halos across the range of redshifts and halo masses used by large-scale structure surveys aimed at measuring $f_{NL}$. This includes non-gaussian secondary bias (or assembly bias) in halo concentration, which has previously been found to be quite large in amplitude. For an observed survey of galaxies, we additionally need to consider the selection function of the sample, which can introduce redshift dependence via cuts on apparent magnitude and colour. These effects of the selection function can be mitigated by further cutting the sample using k-corrected magnitudes and colours, to retain only those galaxies that would pass the targeting criteria for all redshifts within the interval considered.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2503_21024
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Estimating non-gaussian bias using counts of tracers
Dalal, Neal
Percival, Will J.
Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
Local-type primordial non-gaussianity generates a distinctive term in the clustering of tracers of large-scale structure, behaving as $k^{-2}$ at small wavenumbers $k$. In order to use this signal in a sample of galaxies to measure the amplitude of primordial non-gaussianity, $f_{NL}$, we need to independently determine the degenerate bias coefficient, $b_Φ$, which quantifies the logarithmic response of the galaxy number density to a change in amplitude of the matter clustering. We study whether $b_Φ$ may be estimated from the observed evolution of the number density of galaxies as a function of redshift. Using cosmological N-body simulations, we find that $b_Φ$ may be estimated reasonably well for dark matter halos across the range of redshifts and halo masses used by large-scale structure surveys aimed at measuring $f_{NL}$. This includes non-gaussian secondary bias (or assembly bias) in halo concentration, which has previously been found to be quite large in amplitude. For an observed survey of galaxies, we additionally need to consider the selection function of the sample, which can introduce redshift dependence via cuts on apparent magnitude and colour. These effects of the selection function can be mitigated by further cutting the sample using k-corrected magnitudes and colours, to retain only those galaxies that would pass the targeting criteria for all redshifts within the interval considered.
title Estimating non-gaussian bias using counts of tracers
topic Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.21024