Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-cosmology-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2025/3/c/solution
Past exam of the cosmology course of the University of Oxford 2025 3 c Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-25
Let be the normalized galaxy probability density per unit cosmological redshift, , and let be its linear galaxy bias. In a spatially flat background with , . Thus the projected galaxy density contrast isso its radial kernel is . The cosmological Poisson equation in Fourier transform variables givesHere denotes today's matter density parameter, not its time-dependent value. For a growing linear cosmological density perturbation, write , where is the linear growth factor, and define the logarithmic linear growth rate . At fixed comoving coordinate,ConsequentlyIn particular, during matter domination makes the linear potential constant and eliminates this Integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect.
To use the supplied Limber approximation without hiding its scale dependence in a radial kernel, take , , , and . The corresponding three-dimensional cross-power spectrum iswhere is the matter power spectrum. Substitution givesThe Limber approximation relation cancels , yieldingBoth powers of are necessary: one converts the redshift selection to a distance kernel, and the other differentiates the potential in conformal time. The factor two in the Integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect cancels the factor from the cosmological Poisson equation. For positive galaxy bias and , the predicted correlation is positive: an overdense region whose negative potential becomes shallower gives a positive integrated temperature shift. The result assumes linear, scale-independent growth and the Newtonian cosmological Poisson equation; the Limber approximation becomes less accurate at the very lowest angular multipoles.
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