arXiv subjects

Miguel F. Morales

Publications and source records attributed to Miguel F. Morales.

78 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2006

A Technique for Weak Lensing with Velocity Maps: Eliminating Ellipticity Noise in HI Radio Observations

Weak lensing surveys have become a powerful tool for mapping mass distributions and constraining the expansion history of our Universe, but continuum surveys must average over a large number of galaxies to average down the ellipticity noise due to the unknown ellipticity and orientation of the lensed galaxies. This Letter presents a technique for measuring weak lensing with velocity maps that avoids the ellipticity noise. By studying the inherent noise characteristics, we argue this new technique could rival or exceed the sensitivity of traditional continuum observations for upcoming HI radio surveys.

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arXiv2006

Improving Foreground Subtraction in Statistical Observations of 21 cm Emission from the Epoch of Reionization

Statistical observations of the Epoch of Reionization using the 21 cm line of neutral hydrogen have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of structure formation and the first luminous objects. However, these observations are complicated by a host of strong foreground sources. Several foreground removal techniques have been proposed in the literature, and it has been assumed that these would be used in combination to reveal the Epoch of Reionization (EOR) signal. By studying the characteristic subtraction errors of the proposed foreground removal techniques, we identify an additional subtraction stage that can further reduce the EOR foreground contamination, and study the interactions between the foreground removal algorithms. This enables us to outline a comprehensive foreground removal strategy that incorporates all previously proposed subtraction techniques. Using this foreground removal framework and the characteristic subtraction errors, we discuss the complementarity of different foreground removal techniques and the implications for array design and the analysis of EOR data.

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arXiv2005

The Sensitivity of First Generation Epoch of Reionization Observatories and Their Potential for Differentiating Theoretical Power Spectra

Statistical observations of the epoch of reionization (EOR) power spectrum provide a rich data set for understanding the transition from the cosmic "dark ages" to the ionized universe we see today. EOR observations have become an active area of experimental cosmology, and three first generation observatories--MWA, PAST, and LOFAR--are currently under development. In this paper we provide the first quantitative calculation of the three dimensional power spectrum sensitivity, incorporating the design parameters of a planned array. This calculation is then used to explore the constraints these first generation observations can place on the EOR power spectrum. The results demonstrate the potential of upcoming power spectrum observations to constrain theories of structure formation and reionization.

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arXiv2004

Toward Epoch of Reionization Measurements with Wide-Field Radio Observations

This paper explores the potential for statistical epoch of reionization (EOR) measurements using wide field radio observations. New developments in low frequency radio instrumentation and signal processing allow very sensitive EOR measurements, and the analysis techniques enabled by these advances offer natural ways of separating the EOR signal from the residual foreground emission. This paper introduces the enabling technologies and proposes an analysis technique designed to make optimal use of the capabilities of next generation low frequency radio arrays. The observations we propose can directly observe the power spectrum of the EOR using relatively short observations, and are significantly more sensitive than other techniques which have been discussed in the literature. For example, in the absence of foreground contamination the measurements we propose would produce five 3-sigma power spectrum points in 100 hours of observation with only 4 MHz bandwidth with LOFAR for simple models of the high redshift 21cm emission. The challenge of residual foreground removal may be addressed by the symmetries in the three-dimensional (two spatial frequencies and radiofrequency) radio interferometric data. These symmetries naturally separate the EOR signal from most classes of residual un-subtracted foreground contamination, including all foreground continuum sources and radio line emission from the Milky Way.

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arXiv2004

Power Spectrum Sensitivity and the Design of Epoch of Reionization Observatories

Recent theoretical developments for observing the Epoch of Reionization (EOR) have concentrated on the power spectrum signature of redshifted 21 cm emission. These studies have demonstrated the great potential of statistical EOR observations, however, the sensitivity calculations for proposed low frequency radio arrays have been highly approximate. The formalism developed for interferometric measurements of the cosmic microwave background can be extended to three dimensions to naturally incorporate the line-of-sight information inherent in the EOR signal. In this paper we demonstrate how to accurately calculate the EOR power spectrum sensitivity of an array, and develop scaling relationships which can be used to guide the design of EOR observatories. The implications for antenna distribution, antenna size, and correlator requirements on the EOR sensitivity are detailed.

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arXiv2003

A Search for TeV Gamma-Ray Burst Emission with the Milagro Observatory

The Milagro telescope monitors the northern sky for 100 GeV - 100 TeV transient emission through continuous very high energy wide-field observations. The large effective area and low energy threshold of Milagro allow it to detect very high energy gamma-ray burst emission with much higher sensitivity than previous instruments, and a fluence sensitivity at TeV energies comparable to dedicated gamma-ray burst satellites at keV-MeV energies. Observation of gamma-ray burst emission at TeV energies could place important constraints on gamma-ray burst progenitor and emission models. This study details the development of a weighted analysis technique; the implementation of this technique to perform a real time search for TeV transients of 40 seconds to 3 hours duration in the Milagro data; and the results from more than one year of observation. Between May 2nd, 2001, and May 22nd, 2002, no TeV transients of 40 seconds to 3 hours duration were observed. Upper limits on both observed and emitted high energy gamma-ray burst emission are presented.

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