Large-Scale Statistics from Line Intensity Mapping Simulations

线强度测绘(LIM)测量了大锥体(光锥)内的聚合线和连续谱，提供了对星系、星际(ISM)和星际(IGM)介质演化的快速而深入的探测，尽管这一信息是微妙的，并以复杂的方式编码。由于在不同的光学、无线电和毫米波线上进行的深度LIM探测正在进行或即将进行，因此非常需要工具来帮助将观测数据与物理条件联系起来。研究小组将把星系形成的半解析模型(SAM)产生的多条发射线与现有的宇宙学模拟相结合，以自洽的方式得出一套“模拟”强度图。通过改变SAM，产生的模拟数据集将为LIM调查的校准和解释提供信息。这项研究还将支持一名博士后研究员和一名研究生的研究活动，以及首席研究员为纽约市少数族裔高中开发天文学/宇宙学课程的努力。研究团队将使用SAM与现有的宇宙学模拟一起，为2平方度的勘测场制作光锥、模拟LIM地图和Z=10的星系调查，以便计算LIM自动和交叉功率谱以及21厘米HI线、各种亚/毫米波CO跃迁、158微米[C II]精细结构线和Hα的1点Pdf。他们还将用这些统计数据模拟天体物理参数估计，以进行现实的代表性调查。其中将包括光学测光技术，用于模拟与暗能量光谱仪(DESI)等星系探测的相互关联。该团队发布的科学成果将包括光晕星表和光晕合并树、由SAMS制作的星系星表、N星体快照的宽带测光和线属性、光锥沿源星表以及多波长LIM和合成宇宙红外背景图。全套模拟观测目录和地图还将允许团队确定这些统计测量方法在多大程度上能够约束驱动星系形成的物理过程，并寻找LIM和传统星系观测之间的协同作用。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Line Intensity Mapping (LIM), which measures the aggregate line and continuum spectrum within large conical volumes (light-cones), provides a rapid and deep probe of the evolution of galaxies, the interstellar (ISM) and intergalactic (IGM) media, though this information is subtle and encoded in a complex way. Since deep LIM surveys in a diverse set of optical, radio, and millimeter wave lines probing a wide range of physical processes are underway or will soon be, there is a great need for tools to help connect the observables to physical conditions. The research team will combine multiple emission lines generated by semi-analytic models (SAMs) of galaxy formation with existing cosmological simulations to derive a suite of "mock" intensity maps in a self-consistent manner. By varying the SAMs the resulting simulated data sets will inform the calibration and interpretation of LIM surveys. This research will also support research activities by a postdoctoral researcher and a graduate student, as well as efforts by the principal investigator to develop astronomy/cosmology classes for area majority-minority high-schools in New York City.The research team will use SAMs together with existing cosmological simulations to produce sets of light-cones, mock LIM maps and galaxy surveys out to z = 10 for 2-square degree survey fields in order to compute the LIM auto- and cross-power spectrum and 1-point PDF for the 21 cm HI line, various sub/millimeter wave CO transitions, 158 micron [C II] fine structure line, and Hα. They will also simulate astrophysical parameter estimates with these statistics for realistic representative surveys. These will contain optical photometry which will be used for simulated cross-correlations with galaxy surveys such as the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). Scientific deliverables released by the team will include halo catalogs and halo merger trees, galaxy catalogs produced by SAMs, broad-band photometry and line properties for N-body snapshots, source catalogs along light-cones, and multi-wavelength LIM and synthetic cosmic infrared background maps. The full suite of simulated survey catalogs and maps will also allow the team to determine how well these statistical measures can constrain the physical processes driving galaxy formation as well as search for synergies between LIM and traditional galaxy surveys.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.