Observations with the APEX Sunyaev-Zel'dovich experiment

AST-0709497 Lee该项目将利用阿塔卡马探路者实验望远镜和320单元超导测辐射热计阵列，通过Sunyaev-Zel'dovich效应（SZE）对星系团进行深度盲测。 这涉及与马克斯·普朗克射电天文学研究所（MPIfR，德国波恩）的密切合作。 在广泛的红移范围内，一个高质量的SZE选择的集群目录将提供对结构形成的深入了解，宇宙学参数的高精度测量，以及暗能量状态方程的表征。 这种暗能量测量在参数简并方面与其他类型的测量是互补的，例如使用超新星的测量。 预计SZE调查将有一个更干净的选择功能，扩展到更高的红移比光学和X射线技术。 APEX是位于智利Chajnantor高原16，700英尺处的一个完全运行的12米直径的卡塞格伦望远镜。 它由MPIfR、欧洲南方天文台（ESO）和瑞典Onsala空间天文台组成的联盟建造。 SZE调查每年将使用至少一个月的望远镜时间，这一分配可能会增加。 该接收机已成功地进行了工程运行，并已升级为观测配置。 该计划利用了大量的投资，在接收器的开发和部署，在超导过渡边缘传感器（TES），并在建设和运营的望远镜，由美国国家科学基金会和各种国家和国际partners.The计划的校准质量SZE通量关系的APEX在早期重点项目将是至关重要的解释大集群样本预计从未来的调查由其他望远镜。 这将使用来自各种实验的多波长数据进行，所有实验都在同一片天空中进行，并将SZE数据与使用光学弱透镜，光学星系计数，X射线通量和速度分散的测量进行比较。 这项工作将巩固一个强大的国际团队之间的关系。 此外，探测器的开发工作对天文学、其他物理学团体和国土安全具有广泛的影响。

AST-0709497LeeThis project will carry out a deep blind survey for galaxy clusters via the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect (SZE), using the Atacama Pathfinder EXperiment (APEX) telescope and a 320-element superconducting bolometer array. This involves a close collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Radioastronomy (MPIfR, Bonn, Germany). A high-quality catalog of SZE-selected clusters over a broad range of redshifts will provide deep insight into structure formation, high accuracy measurements of cosmological parameters, and a characterization of the dark energy equation of state. This dark energy measurement is complementary in parameter degeneracies to other types, such as those using supernovae. SZE surveys are expected to have a cleaner selection function that extends to higher redshift than optical and X-ray techniques. Hundreds of galaxy clusters will be detected, with as many as one hundred at redshift one or greater.APEX is a fully operational 12-meter diameter on-axis Cassegrain telescope sited at 16,700 ft on the Chajnantor plateau in Chile. It was built by a consortium of the MPIfR, the European Southern Observatory (ESO), and the Swedish Onsala Space Observatory. The SZE survey will use at least one month of telescope time per year, and this allotment may increase. The receiver has had a successful engineering run and been upgraded to the observational configuration. This program leverages the substantial investments in receiver development and deployment, in superconducting transition edge sensors (TES), and in construction and operation of the telescope, by NSF and by the various national and international partners.The planned calibration of the mass to SZE flux relation by APEX in an early emphasis project will be critical for interpreting the large cluster samples expected from future surveys by other telescopes. This will be carried out using multi-wavelength data from a variety of experiments all looking at the same patch of sky, and comparing the SZE data against measurements using optical weak lensing, optical galaxy counts, X-ray flux, and velocity dispersions. The work will cement relations across a strong international team. In addition, the detector development work has widespread implications for astronomy, other physics communities, and homeland security.