Disentangling non-Gaussianity, bias and general relativistic effects in the galaxy distribution

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Abstract

Local non-Gaussianity, parametrized by fNL, introduces a scale-dependent bias that is strongest at large scales, precisely where General Relativistic (GR) effects also become significant. With future data, it should be possible to constrain fNL = O(1) with high redshift surveys. GR corrections to the power spectrum and ambiguities in the gauge used to define bias introduce effects similar to fNL = O(1), so it is essential to disentangle these effects. For the first time in studies of primordial non-Gaussianity, we include the consistent GR calculation of galaxy power spectra, highlighting the importance of a proper definition of bias. We present observable power spectra with and without GR corrections, showing that an incorrect definition of bias can mimic non-Gaussianity. However, these effects can be distinguished by their different redshift and scale dependence, so as to extract the true primordial non-Gaussianity
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)041301
JournalPhysical Review D
Volume85
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Feb 2012

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