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FOUR FUNDAMENTAL FOREGROUND POWER SPECTRUM SHAPES FOR 21 cm COSMOLOGY OBSERVATIONS

Journal Article · · Astrophysical Journal
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 (United States)

Contamination from instrumental effects interacting with bright astrophysical sources is the primary impediment to measuring Epoch of Reionization (EoR) and Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) 21 cm power spectra-an effect called mode mixing. In this paper, we identify four fundamental power spectrum shapes produced by mode mixing that will affect all upcoming observations. We are able, for the first time, to explain the wedge-like structure seen in advanced simulations and to forecast the shape of an 'EoR window' that is mostly free of contamination. Understanding the origins of these contaminations also enables us to identify calibration and foreground subtraction errors below the imaging limit, providing a powerful new tool for precision observations.

OSTI ID:
22037001
Journal Information:
Astrophysical Journal, Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 752; ISSN ASJOAB; ISSN 0004-637X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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