arXiv subjects

Massimo Pietroni

Publications and source records attributed to Massimo Pietroni.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

A Robust BAO Extractor

We define a procedure to extract the oscillating part of a given nonlinear Power Spectrum, and derive an equation describing its evolution including the leading effects at all scales. The intermediate scales are taken into account by standard perturbation theory, the long range (IR) displacements are included by using consistency relations, and the effect of small (UV) scales is included via effective coefficients computed in simulations. We show that the UV effects are irrelevant in the evolution of the oscillating part, while they play a crucial role in reproducing the smooth component. Our "extractor" operator can be applied to simulations and real data in order to extract the Baryonic Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) without any fitting function and nuisance parameter. We conclude that the nonlinear evolution of BAO can be accurately reproduced at all scales down to $z=0$ by our fast analytical method, without any need of extra parameters fitted from simulations.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2016

Galilean invariant resummation schemes of cosmological perturbations

Many of the methods proposed so far to go beyond Standard Perturbation Theory break invariance under time-dependent boosts (denoted here as extended Galilean Invariance, or GI). This gives rise to spurious large scale effects which spoil the small scale predictions of these approximation schemes. By using consistency relations we derive fully non-perturbative constraints that GI imposes on correlation functions. We then introduce a method to quantify the amount of GI breaking of a given scheme, and to correct it by properly tailored counterterms. Finally, we formulate resummation schemes which are manifestly GI, discuss their general features, and implement them in the so called Time-Flow, or TRG, equations.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2015

The effect of massive neutrinos on the BAO peak

We study the impact of neutrino masses on the shape and height of the BAO peak of the matter correlation function, both in real and redshift space. In order to describe the nonlinear evolution of the BAO peak we run N-body simulations and compare them with simple analytic formulae. We show that the evolution with redshift of the correlation function and its dependence on the neutrino masses is well reproduced in a simplified version of the Zel'dovich approximation, in which the mode-coupling contribution to the power spectrum is neglected. While in linear theory the BAO peak decreases for increasing neutrino masses, the effect of nonlinear structure formation goes in the opposite direction, since the peak broadening by large scale flows is less effective. As a result of this combined effect, the peak decreases by $\sim 0.6 \%$ for $ \sum m_ν= 0.15$ eV and increases by $\sim1.2 \%$ for $ \sum m_ν= 0.3$ eV, with respect to a massless neutrino cosmology with equal value of the other cosmological parameters. We extend our analysis to redshift space and to halos, and confirm the agreement between simulations and the analytic formulae. We argue that all analytical approaches having the Zel'dovich propagator in their lowest order approximation should give comparable performances, irrespectively to their formulation in Lagrangian or in Eulerian space.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

A coarse grained perturbation theory for the Large Scale Structure, with cosmology and time independence in the UV

Standard cosmological perturbation theory (SPT) for the Large Scale Structure (LSS) of the Universe fails at small scales (UV) due to strong nonlinearities and to multistreaming effects. In Pietroni et al. 2011 a new framework was proposed in which the large scales (IR) are treated perturbatively while the information on the UV, mainly small scale velocity dispersion, is obtained by nonlinear methods like N-body simulations. Here we develop this approach, showing that it is possible to reproduce the fully nonlinear power spectrum (PS) by combining a simple (and fast) 1-loop computation for the IR scales and the measurement of a single, dominant, correlator from N-body simulations for the UV ones. We measure this correlator for a suite of seven different cosmologies, and we show that its inclusion in our perturbation scheme reproduces the fully non-linear PS with percent level accuracy, for wave numbers up to $k\sim 0.4\, h~{\rm Mpc^{-1}}$ down to $z=0$. We then show that, once this correlator has been measured in a given cosmology, there is no need to run a new simulation for a different cosmology in the suite. Indeed, by rescaling this correlator by a proper function computable in SPT, the reconstruction procedure works also for the other cosmologies and for all redshifts, with comparable accuracy. Finally, we clarify the relation of this approach to the Effective Field Theory methods recently proposed in the LSS context.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

Ward identities and consistency relations for the large scale structure with multiple species

We present fully nonlinear consistency relations for the squeezed bispectrum of Large Scale Structure. These relations hold when the matter component of the Universe is composed of one or more species, and generalize those obtained in Peloso, Pietroni '13 and Kehagias, Riotto '13 in the single species case. The multi-species relations apply to the standard dark matter + baryons scenario, as well as to the case in which some of the fields are auxiliary quantities describing a particular population, such as dark matter halos or a specific galaxy class. If a large scale velocity bias exists between the different populations new terms appear in the consistency relations with respect to the single species case. As an illustration, we discuss two physical cases in which such a velocity bias can exist: (1) a new long range scalar force in the dark matter sector (resulting in a violation of the equivalence principle in the dark matter-baryon system), and (2) the distribution of dark matter halos relative to that of the underlying dark matter field.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

Spherical collapse and halo mass function in the symmetron model

We study the gravitational clustering of spherically symmetric overdensities and the statistics of the resulting dark matter halos in the "symmetron model", in which a new long range force is mediated by a $Z_2$ symmetric scalar field. Depending on the initial radius of the overdensity, we identify two distinct regimes: for small initial radii the symmetron mediated force affects the spherical collapse at all redshifts; for initial radii larger than some critical size this force vanishes before collapse because of the symmetron screening mechanism. In both cases overdensities collapse earlier than in the $Λ$CDM and statistically tend to form more massive dark matter halos. Regarding the halo-mass function of these objects, we observe order one departures from standard $Λ$CDM predictions. The formalism developed here can be easily applied to other models where fifth-forces participate to the dynamics of the gravitational collapse.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

Galilean invariance and the consistency relation for the nonlinear squeezed bispectrum of large scale structure

We discuss the constraints imposed on the nonlinear evolution of the Large Scale Structure (LSS) of the universe by galilean invariance, the symmetry relevant on subhorizon scales. Using Ward identities associated to the invariance, we derive fully nonlinear consistency relations between statistical correlators of the density and velocity perturbations, such as the power spectrum and the bispectrum. These relations are valid up to O (f_{NL}^2) corrections. We then show that most of the semi-analytic methods proposed so far to resum the perturbative expansion of the LSS dynamics fail to fulfill the constraints imposed by galilean invariance, and are therefore susceptible to non-physical infrared effects. Finally, we identify and discuss a nonperturbative semi-analytical scheme which is manifestly galilean invariant at any order of its expansion.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

Nonlinear Power Spectrum from Resummed Perturbation Theory: a Leap Beyond the BAO Scale

A new computational scheme for the nonlinear cosmological matter power spectrum (PS) is presented. Our method is based on evolution equations in time, which can be cast in a form extremely convenient for fast numerical evaluations. A nonlinear PS is obtained in a time comparable to that needed for a simple 1-loop computation, and the numerical implementation is very simple. Our results agree with N-body simulations at the percent level in the BAO range of scales, and at the few-percent level up to $k ~ 1$ h/Mpc at $z >= 0.5$, thereby opening the possibility of applying this tool to scales interesting for weak lensing. We clarify the approximations inherent to this approach as well as its relations to previous ones, such as the Time Renormalization Group, and the multi-point propagator expansion. We discuss possible lines of improvements of the method and its intrinsic limitations by multi streaming at small scales and low redshifts.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

Non-linear dark energy clustering

We consider a dark energy fluid with arbitrary sound speed and equation of state and discuss the effect of its clustering on the cold dark matter distribution at the non-linear level. We write the continuity, Euler and Poisson equations for the system in the Newtonian approximation. Then, using the time renormalization group method to resum perturbative corrections at all orders, we compute the total clustering power spectrum and matter power spectrum. At the linear level, a sound speed of dark energy different from that of light modifies the power spectrum on observationally interesting scales, such as those relevant for baryonic acoustic oscillations. We show that the effect of varying the sound speed of dark energy on the non-linear corrections to the matter power spectrum is below the per cent level, and therefore these corrections can be well modelled by their counterpart in cosmological scenarios with smooth dark energy. We also show that the non-linear effects on the matter growth index can be as large as 10-15 per cent for small scales.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

Coarse-Grained Cosmological Perturbation Theory

Semi-analytical methods, based on Eulerian perturbation theory, are a promising tool to follow the time evolution of cosmological perturbations at small redshifts and at mildly nonlinear scales. All these schemes are based on two approximations: the existence of a smoothing scale and the single-stream approximation, where velocity dispersion of the dark matter fluid, as well as higher moments of the particle distributions, are neglected. Despite being widely recognized, these two assumptions are, in principle, incompatible, since any finite smoothing scale gives rise to velocity dispersion and higher moments at larger scales. We describe a new approach to perturbation theory, where the Vlasov and fluid equations are derived in presence of a finite coarse-graining scale: this allows a clear separation between long and short distance modes and leads to a hybrid approach where the former are treated perturbatively and the effect of the latter is encoded in external source terms for velocity, velocity dispersion, and all the higher order moments, which can be computed from N-body simulations. We apply the coarse-grained perturbation theory to the computation of the power spectrum and the cross-spectrum between density and velocity dispersion, and compare the results with N-body simulations, finding good agreement.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

Next-to-leading resummations in cosmological perturbation theory

One of the nicest results in cosmological perturbation theory is the analytical resummaton of the leading corrections at large momentum, which was obtained by Crocce and Scoccimarro for the propagator. Using an exact evolution equation, we generalize this result, by showing that a class of next-to-leading corrections can also be resummed at all orders in perturbation theory. The new corrections modify the propagator by a few percent in the Baryonic Acoustic Oscillation range of scales, and therefore cannot be neglected in resummation schemes aiming at an accuracy compatible with future generation galaxy surveys. Similar tools can be employed to derive improved approximations for the Power Spectrum.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

Modeling the clustering of dark-matter haloes in resummed perturbation theories

We address the issue of the cosmological bias between matter and galaxy distributions, looking at dark-matter haloes as a first step to characterize galaxy clustering. Starting from the linear density field at high redshift, we follow the centre of mass trajectory of the material that will form each halo at late times (proto-halo). We adopt a fluid-like description for the evolution of perturbations in the proto-halo distribution, which is coupled to the matter density field via gravity. We present analytical solutions for the density and velocity fields, in the context of renormalized perturbation theory. We start from the linear solution, then compute one-loop corrections for the propagator and the power spectrum. Finally we analytically resum the propagator and we use a suitable extension of the time-renormalization-group method (Pietroni 2008) to resum the power spectrum. For halo masses M<10^{14} Msol/h our results at z=0 are in good agreement with N-body simulations. Our model is able to predict the halo-matter cross spectrum with an accuracy of 5 per cent up to k = 0.1 h/Mpc approaching the requirements of future galaxy redshift surveys.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2010

Signatures of Primordial non-Gaussianities in the Matter Power-Spectrum and Bispectrum: the Time-RG Approach

We apply the time-renormalization group approach to study the effect of primordial non-Gaussianities in the non-linear evolution of cosmological dark matter density perturbations. This method improves the standard perturbation approach by solving renormalization group-like equations governing the dynamics of gravitational instability. The primordial bispectra constructed from the dark matter density contrast and the velocity fields represent initial conditions for the renormalization group flow. We consider local, equilateral and folded shapes for the initial non-Gaussianity and analyze as well the case in which the non-linear parameter f_{NL} parametrizing the strength of the non-Gaussianity depends on the momenta in Fourier space through a power-law relation, the so-called running non-Gaussianity. For the local model of non-Gaussianity we compare our findings for the power-spectrum with those of recent N-body simulations and find that they accurately fit the N-body data up to wave-numbers k \sim 0.25 h/Mpc at z=0. We also present predictions for the (reduced) matter bispectra for the various shapes of non-Gaussianity.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2008

Flowing with Time: a New Approach to Nonlinear Cosmological Perturbations

Nonlinear effects are crucial in order to compute the cosmological matter power spectrum to the accuracy required by future generation surveys. Here, a new approach is presented, in which the power spectrum, the bispectrum and higher order correlations, are obtained -- at any redshift and for any momentum scale -- by integrating a system of differential equations. The method is similar to the familiar BBGKY hierarchy. Truncating at the level of the trispectrum, the solution of the equations corresponds to the summation of an infinite class of perturbative corrections. Compared to other resummation frameworks, the scheme discussed here is particularly suited to cosmologies other than LambdaCDM, such as those based on modifications of gravity and those containing massive neutrinos. As a first application, we compute the Baryonic Acoustic Oscillation feature of the power spectrum, and compare the results with perturbation theory, the halo model, and N-body simulations. The density-velocity and velocity-velocity power spectra are also computed, showing that they are much less contaminated by nonlinearities than the density-density one. The approach can be seen as a particular formulation of the renormalization group, in which time is the flow parameter.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Unified Dark Matter in Scalar Field Cosmologies

Considering the general Lagrangian of k-essence models, we study and classify them through variables connected to the fluid equation of state parameter w_κ. This allows to find solutions around which the scalar field describes a mixture of dark matter and cosmological constant-like dark energy, an example being the purely kinetic model proposed by Scherrer. Making the stronger assumption that the scalar field Lagrangian is exactly constant along solutions of the equation of motion, we find a general class of k-essence models whose classical trajectories directly describe a unified dark matter/dark energy (cosmological constant) fluid. While the simplest case of a scalar field with canonical kinetic term unavoidably leads to an effective sound speed c_s=1, thereby inhibiting the growth of matter inhomogeneities, more general non-canonical k-essence models allow for the possibility that c_s << 1 whenever matter dominates.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Resumming Cosmic Perturbations

Renormalization Group (RG) techniques have been successfully employed in quantum field theory and statistical physics. Here we apply RG methods to study the non-linear stages of structure formation in the Universe. Exact equations for the power spectrum, the bispectrum, and all higher order correlation functions can be derived for any underlying cosmological model. A remarkable feature of the RG flow is the emergence of an intrinsic UV cutoff, due to dark matter velocity dispersion, which improves the convergence of the equations at small scales. As a consequence, the method is able to follow the non-linear evolution of the power-spectrum down to zero redshift and to length-scales where perturbation theory fails. Our predictions accurately fit the results of $N$-body simulations in reproducing the ``Baryon Acoustic Oscillations'' features of the power-spectrum, which will be accurately measured in future galaxy surveys and will provide a probe to distinguish among different dark energy models.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Baryonic Acoustic Oscillations via the Renormalization Group

A semi-analytic approach to the computation of the non-linear power-spectrum of dark matter density fluctuations is proposed. The method is based on the Renormalization Group technique and can be applied to any underlying cosmological model. Our prediction on the baryonic acoustic oscillations in a LambdaCDM model accurately fits the results of N-body simulations down to zero redshift, where perturbation theory fails.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Local transformations of units in Scalar-Tensor Cosmology

The physical equivalence of Einstein and Jordan frame in Scalar Tensor theories has been explained by Dicke in 1962: they are related by a local transformation of units. We discuss this point in a cosmological framework. Our main result is the construction of a formalism in which all the physical observables are frame-invariant. The application of this approach to CMB codes is at present under analysis.

hep-th↗