arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J. G. Bartlett.
We present the results of a combined analysis of cosmic microwave background (CMB) and X-ray galaxy clusters baryon fraction to deduce constraints over 6 in flationnary cosmological parameters. Such a combination is necessary for breaki ng degeneracies inherent to the CMB.
We present the results of analysis of constraints on cosmological parameters from cosmic microwave background (CMB) alone and in combination with galaxy cluster baryon fraction assuming inflation--generated adiabatic scalar fluctuations. The CMB constraints are obtained using our likelihood approximation method (Bartlett et al., 2000, Douspis et al., 2001). In the present analysis we use the new data coming from MAXIMA and BOOMERanG balloon borne experiments, the first results of the DASI interferometer together with the COBE/DMR data. The quality of these independent data sets implies that the $C_\ell$ are rather well known, and allow reliable constraints. We found that the constraints in the $Ω-H_0$ plane are very tightened, favouring a flat Universe, that the index of the primordial fluctuations is very close to one, that the primordial baryon density is now in good agreement with primordial nucleosynthesis. Nevertheless degeneracies between several parameters still exist, and for instance the constraint on the cosmological constant or the Hubble constant are very weak, preferred values being low. A way to break these degeneracies is to ``cross-constrain'' the parameters by combining with constraints from other independent data. We use the baryon fraction determination from X-ray clusters of galaxies as an additional constraint and show that the combined analysis leads to strong constraints on all cosmological parameters. Using a high baryon fraction ($\sim 15%$ for $h = 0.5$) we found a rather low Hubble constant, values around 80 km/s/Mpc being ruled out. Using a recent and low baryon fraction estimation ($\sim 10%$ for $h = 0.5$) we found a preferred model with a low Hubble constant and a high density content ($Ω_m$), an Einstein--de Sitter model being only weakly ruled out.
I discuss galaxy cluster surveys based on the Sunyaev--Zel'dovich effect and their relevance for cosmological studies. The unique aspects of cluster selection by this method are emphasized and certain issues of surveying are addressed. Finally, I briefly present prospects for upcoming surveys.
We describe a fast method to simulate in a semi-analytical way consistent maps of the thermal, kinetic and polarised Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect, featuring both cluster spatial correlations and large scale velocity flows.
The abundance of high-redshift galaxy clusters depends sensitively on the matter density $\OmM$ and, to a lesser extent, on the cosmological constant $Λ$. Measurements of this abundance therefore constrain these fundamental cosmological parameters, and in a manner independent and complementary to other methods, such as observations of the cosmic microwave background and distance measurements. Cluster abundance is best measured by the X-ray temperature function, as opposed to luminosity, because temperature and mass are tightly correlated, as demonstrated by numerical simulations. Taking advantage of the sensitivity of XMM-Newton, our Guaranteed Time program aims at measuring the temperature of the highest redshift (z>0.4) SHARC clusters, with the ultimate goal of constraining both $\OmM$ and $Λ$.
Using an approximate likelihood method adapted to band--power estimates, we analyze the ensemble of first generation cosmic microwave background anisotropy experiments to deduce constraints over a six--dimensional parameter space describing Inflation--generated adiabatic, scalar fluctuations. The basic preferences of simple Inflation scenarios are consistent with the data set: flat geometries $(\OmT \equiv 1-\Omk \sim 1)$ and a scale--invariant primeval spectrum ($n\sim 1$) are favored. Models with significant negative curvature ($\OmT < 0.7$) are eliminated, while constraints on postive curvature are less stringent. Degeneracies among the parameters prevent independent determinations of the matter density $\OmM$ and the cosmological constant $Λ$, and the Hubble constant $\Ho$ remains relatively unconstrained. We also find that the height of the first Doppler peak relative to the amplitude suggested by data at larger $l$ indicates a high baryon content ($\Omb h^2$), almost independently of the other parameters. Besides the overall qualitative advance expected of the next generation experiments, their improved dipole calibrations will be particularly useful for constraining the peak height. Our analysis includes a {\em Goodness--of--Fit} statistic applicable to power estimates and which indicates that the maximum likelihood model provides an acceptable fit to the data set.
Most parameter constraints obtained from cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy data are based on power estimates and rely on approximate likelihood functions; computational difficulties generally preclude an exact analysis based on pixel values. With the specific goal of testing this kind of approach, we have performed a complete (un-approximated) likelihood analysis combining the COBE, Saskatoon and MAX data sets. We examine in detail the ability of certain approximate techniques based on band-power estimates to recover the full likelihood constraints. The traditional $χ^2$-method does not always find the same best-fit model as the likelihood analysis (a bias), due mainly to the false assumption of Gaussian likelihoods that makes the method overly sensitive to data outliers. Although an improvement, other approaches employing non-Gaussian flat-band likelihoods do not always faithfully reproduce the complete likelihood constraints either; not even when using the exact flat-band likelihood curves. We trace this to the neglect of spectral information by simple flat band-power estimates. A straightforward extension incorporating a local effective slope (of the power spectrum, $C_l$) provides a faithful representation of the likelihood surfaces without significantly increasing computing cost. Finally, we also demonstrate that the best-fit model to this particular data set is a {\em good fit}, or that the observations are consistent with Gaussian sky fluctuations, according to our statistic.
Band-power estimates of cosmic microwave background fluctuations are now routinely used to place constraints on cosmological parameters. For this to be done in a rigorous fashion, the full likelihood function of band-power estimates must be employed. Even for Gaussian theories, this likelihood function is not itself Gaussian, for the simple reason that band-powers measure the {\em variance} of the random sky fluctuations. In the context of Gaussian sky fluctuations, we use an ideal situation to motivate a general form for the full likelihood function from a given experiment. This form contains only two free parameters, which can be determined if the 68% and 95% confidence intervals of the true likelihood function are known. The ansatz works remarkably well when compared to the complete likelihood function for a number of experiments. For application of this kind of approach, we suggest that in the future both 68% and 95% (and perhaps also the 99.7%) confidence intervals be given when reporting experimental results.
(abridged) We present a new determination of the local temperature function of X-ray clusters. We use a new sample comprising fifty clusters for which temperature information is now available, making it the largest complete sample of its kind. It is therefore expected to significantly improve the estimation of the temperature distribution function of moderately hot clusters. We find that the resulting temperature function is higher than previous estimations, but agrees well with the temperature distribution function inferred from the BCS and RASS luminosity function. We have used this sample to constrain the amplitude of the matter fluctuations on cluster's scale of $8\sqrt[3]{Ω_0}^{-1}h^{-1}$Mpc, assuming a mass-temperature relation based on recent numerical simulations. We find $σ_8 = 0.6\pm 0.02$ for an $Ω_0 = 1$ model. Our sample provides an ideal reference at $z \sim 0$ to use in the application of the cosmological test based on the evolution of X-ray cluster abundance (Oukbir & Blanchard 1992, 1997). Using Henry's sample, we find that the abundance of clusters at $z = 0.33$ is significantly smaller, by a factor larger than 2, which shows that the EMSS sample provides strong evidence for evolution of the cluster abundance. A likelihood analysis leads to a rather high value of the mean density parameter of the universe: $Ω=0.92 \pm 0.22$ (open case) and $Ω=0.86 \pm 0.25$ (flat case), which is consistent with a previous, independent estimation based on the full EMSS sample by Sadat et al.(1998). Some systematic uncertainties which could alter this result are briefly discussed.
The majority of present efforts to constrain cosmological parameters with cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy data employ approximate likelihood functions, the time consuming nature of a complete analysis being a major obstacle. We have performed a full (unapproximated) likelihood analysis on several experiments that allows us to examine the various assumptions made in these approximate methods and to evaluate their performance. Our results indicate that care should be taken when using such approaches. With an improved approximate method, we present some constraints on cosmological parameters using the entire present CMB data set.
We present analyses of the two-point correlation properties of the ESP galaxy redshift survey. From the redshift-space correlation function xi(s), we see positive clustering out to separations ~50/h Mpc, with a smooth break on larger scales and zero-crossing between 60 and 80/h Mpc. xi(s) is reasonably well described by a shallow power law with γ~1.5 between 3 and 50/h Mpc, while on smaller scales (0.2-2/h Mpc) it has a shallower slope (γ~ 1). We examine the full effect of redshift-space distortions through the two-dimensional correlation function xi(rp,pi), from which we project out the real-space xi(r) below 10/h Mpc. This function is well described by a power-law model (r/r_o)^{-γ}, with r_o=4.15^{+0.20}_{-0.21} h^{-1} Mpc and γ=1.67^{+0.07}_{-0.09}. Comparison to other redshift surveys shows a consistent picture in which clustering remains positive out to separations of 50/h Mpc or larger, in substantial agreement with the results obtained from angular surveys like the APM and EDSGC. Also the shape of the two-point correlation function is remarkably unanimous among these data sets, in all cases requiring more power above 5/h Mpc (a `shoulder'), than a simple extrapolation of the canonical xi(r)=(r/5)^{-1.8}. xi(s) for volume-limited subsamples shows evidence of luminosity segregation only for the most luminous sample with M_{b_J}\le -20.5. When redshift-space distortions are removed through projection of xi(rp,pi), however, a weak dependence on luminosity is seen at small separations also at fainter magnitudes. This effect is masked in redshift space, as the mean pairwise velocity dispersion experiences a parallel increase, basically erasing the effect of the clustering growth on xi(s).
We discuss the problem of constraining cosmological parameters with cosmic microwave background band--power estimates. Because these latter are variances, they do not have gaussian distribution functions and, hence, the standard $χ^2$--approach is not strictly applicable. A general purpose approximation to experimental band--power likelihood functions is proposed, which requires only limited experimental details. Comparison with the full likelihood function calculated for several experiments shows that the approximation works well.
We discuss the constraints one can place on cosmological parameters using current cosmic microwave background data. A standard $χ^2$--minimization over band--power estimates is first presented, followed by a discussion of the more correct likelihood approach. We propose an approximation to the complete likelihood function of an arbitrary experiment requiring only limited and easily found information about the observations. Examination of both open models -- $(Ω,h,Q,n)$ -- and flat models ($Ω+Ω_Λ=1$) -- $(Ω,Ω_b,h,Q,n)$ -- leaves one rather robust result: models with small curvature are favored.
We discuss the two-point correlation properties of galaxies in the ESO Slice Project (ESP) redshift survey, both in redshift and real space. The redshift-space correlation function xi(s) for the whole magnitude-limited survey is well described by a power law with γ~ 1.55 between 3 and ~40/h Mpc, where it smoothly breaks down, crossing the zero value on scales as large as ~80/h Mpc. On smaller scales (0.2-2/h Mpc), the slope is shallower, mostly due to redshift-space depression by virialized structures. This effect is found to be enhanced by the J3 optimal-weighting estimator for xi. We explicitly evidence these effects by computing xi(r_p,pi) and the projected function w_p(r_p). In this way we recover the real-space correlation function xi(r), which we fit below 10/h Mpc with a power-law model. This gives a reasonable fit, with r_o=4.15^{+0.20}_{-0.21} /h Mpc and γ=1.67^{+0.07}_{-0.09}. This results on xi(r) and xi(s), and the comparison with other surveys, clearly confirm how the shape of spatial correlations above ~3/h Mpc is characterised by a significant `shoulder' with respect to the small-scale ~ -1.8 power law, corresponding to a steepening of P(k) near the turnover.
We discuss the behaviour of the redshift- and real-space correlation functions from the ESO Slice Project (ESP) galaxy redshift survey. xi(s) for the whole survey is positive out to ~80/h Mpc, with a smooth break from a shallow power law. Comparison to xi(s) from two other wide-angle, moderately deep surveys, the LCRS and Stromlo-APM, shows a very good agreement of all data sets, despite the different selections and geometries. By projecting xi(r_p, pi), we recover the real--space correlation function xi(r), which below 10/h Mpc is reasonably well described by a power law xi(r) = (r/r_o)^{-γ} with r_o=4.15^{+0.20}_{-0.21} /h Mpc and γ=1.67^{+0.07}_{-0.09}. The same analysis, applied to four volume-limited subsamples, evidences a small but significant growth of clustering with luminosity (r_o varies from 3.4 to 5.2/h Mpc when the luminosity threshold is increased from -18. to -20).
We present observations of Galactic H alpha emission along two declination bands where the South Pole cosmic microwave background experiment reports temperature fluctuations. The high spectral resolution of our Fabry-Perot system allows us to separate the Galactic signal from the much larger local sources of H alpha emission, such as the Earth's geocorona. For the two bands (at declination -62 and -63 degrees), we find a total mean emission of about 1 Rayleigh with variations of about 0.3 R. The variations are within the estimated uncertainty of our total intensity determinations. For an ionized gas at T around 10**4 K, this corresponds to a maximum free-free brightness temperature of less than 10 microK at 30 GHz (K-band). Thus, unless there is a hot gas component with T around 10**6 K, our results imply that there is essentially no free-free contamination of the SP91 (Schuster et al. 1993) and SP94 (Gunderson et al.1995) data sets.
The potential of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect for cluster studies has long been appreciated, although not yet fully exploited. Recent technological advances and improvements in observing strategies have changed this, to the point where it is now possible to speak of this subject at a meeting devoted to {\em surveys} in Cosmology. We will discuss SZ surveys by distinguishing what may be called {\em pointed surveys}, dedicated to pre-selected clusters, from {\em blind surveys}, those searching for clusters in blank fields. Surveys of the former type already have significant numbers of clusters with very good signal-to-noise images; surveys of the second type are currently possible, but as yet not undertaken. The discussion will focus on the kind of science that can be done in this ``new territory''.
We review present understanding of Galactic free-free emission and its possible importance to CMB fluctuation measurements. Current results, from both ``direct'' observations in the microwave band and from H$α$ studies, suggest that this foreground does not represent a serious obstacle to mapping the CMB; however, this is based on limited information and we emphasize the need for more exhaustive studies. We also present some preliminary results based on our recent H$α$ observations near the South Pole CMB data sets. The fluctuation amplitude seen in H$α$ indicates that the detected CMB fluctuations are not significantly contaminated by free-free emission, at least if the diffuse gas is at a temperature of $T\sim 10^4$ K.