Past exam of the cosmology course of the University of Oxford / 2025 / 3 / c

Let $p(z)$ be the normalized galaxy probability density per unit cosmological redshift, $\int p(z)dz=1$, and let $b_g$ be its linear galaxy bias. In a spatially flat background with $c=1$, $d\chi =dz/H(z)$. Thus the projected galaxy density contrast isso its radial kernel is $q_g=Hbp$. The cosmological Poisson equation in Fourier transform variables givesHere ${\Omega }_m$ denotes today's matter density parameter, not its time-dependent value. For a growing linear cosmological density perturbation, write $\delta (\mathbf{k},a)=D(a){\delta }_{\mathrm{ini}}(\mathbf{k})$, where $D$ is the linear growth factor, and define the logarithmic linear growth rate $f=d\ln D/d\ln a$. At fixed comoving coordinate,ConsequentlyIn particular, $f=1$ 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 $U=\delta$, $V={\psi }^{\prime }$, $q_g=Hbp$, and $q_T=2$. The corresponding three-dimensional cross-power spectrum iswhere $P$ is the matter power spectrum. Substitution givesThe Limber approximation relation $k\chi =\ell +1/2$ cancels ${\chi }^{-2}{k}^{-2}$, yieldingBoth powers of $H$ 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 $1/2$ from the cosmological Poisson equation. For positive galaxy bias and $f<1$, 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.