Optimal supernova search strategies
Recent use of Type Ia supernovae to measure acceleration of the universe has motivated questions regarding their optimal use to constrain cosmological parameters Omega_M, Omega_{\Lambda} and w_Q. In this work we address the question: what is the optimal distribution of supernovae in redshift in order to best constrain the cosmological parameters? The solution to this problem is not only of theoretical interest, but can be useful in planning supernova searches. Using the Fisher matrix formalism we show that the error ellipsoid corresponding to N parameters (for N=1, 2, 3) has the smallest volume if the supernovae are located at N discrete redshifts, with equal number of supernovae at each redshift and with one redshift always being the maximum one probed. Including marginalization over the ``nuisance parameter'' M changes this result only trivially.
- Research Organization:
- Fermi National Accelerator Lab. (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-07CH11359
- OSTI ID:
- 1155650
- Report Number(s):
- FERMILAB-PUB-00-358-A; arXiv:astro-ph/0006419; oai:inspirehep.net:546462
- Journal Information:
- TBD, Conference: Presented at: 4th International Symposium on Sources and Detection of Dark Matter in the Universe (DM 2000). Marina del Rey, California, 23-25 Feb 2000.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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