Engineering topics

Holzapfel, W. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Holzapfel, W. L..

49 records · Page 3

NASA NTRS2014

Self-Calibration of BICEP1 Three-Year Data and Constraints on Astrophysical Polarization Rotation

Cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarimeters aspire to measure the faint B-mode signature predicted to arise from inflationary gravitational waves. They also have the potential to constrain cosmic birefringence, rotation of the polarization of the CMB arising from parity-violating physics, which would produce nonzero expectation values for the CMB's temperature to B-mode correlation (TB) and E-mode to B-mode correlation (EB) spectra. However, instrumental systematic effects can also cause these TB and EB correlations to be nonzero. In particular, an overall miscalibration of the polarization orientation of the detectors produces TB and EB spectra which are degenerate with isotropic cosmological birefringence, while also introducing a small but predictable bias on the BB spectrum. We find that BICEP1 three-year spectra, which use our standard calibration of detector polarization angles from a dielectric sheet, are consistent with a polarization rotation of alpha = −2.77deg +/- 0.86deg (statistical) +/- 1.3deg (systematic). We have revised the estimate of systematic error on the polarization rotation angle from the two-year analysis by comparing multiple calibration methods. We also account for the (negligible) impact of measured beam systematic effects. We investigate the polarization rotation for the BICEP1 100 GHz and 150 GHz bands separately to investigate theoretical models that produce frequency-dependent cosmic birefringence. We find no evidence in the data supporting either of these models or Faraday rotation of the CMB polarization by the Milky Way galaxy's magnetic field. If we assume that there is no cosmic birefringence, we can use the TB and EB spectra to calibrate detector polarization orientations, thus reducing bias of the cosmological B-mode spectrum from leaked E-modes due to possible polarization orientation miscalibration. After applying this "self-calibration" process, we find that the upper limit on the tensor-to-scalar ratio decreases slightly, from r < 0.70 to r < 0.65 at 95% confidence.

three-year↗

NASA NTRS2006

Final Results from the BIMA CMB Anisotropy Survey and Search for Signature of the SZ Effect

We report the final results of our study of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) with the BIMA array. Over 1000 hours of observation were dedicated to this project exploring CMB anisotropy on scales between 1' and 2' in eighteen 6'.6 FWHM fields. In the analysis of the CMB power spectrum, the visibility data is divided into two bins corresponding to different angular scales. Modeling the observed excess power as a flat band of average multipole l(sub eff)= 5237, we find deltaT(sup 2)(sub 1) = 220(sup +140)(sub -120) mu K(sup 2) at 68% confidence and deltaT(sup 2)(sub 1) greater than 0 muK(sup 2) with 94.7% confidence. In a second band with average multipole of l(sub eff) = 8748, we find deltaT(sup 2)(sub 2) consistent with zero, and an upper limit 880 muK(sup 2) at 95% confidence. An extensive series of tests and supplemental observations with the VLA provide strong evidence against systematic errors or radio point sources being the source of the observed excess power. The dominant source of anisotropy on these scales is expected to arise from the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect in a population of distant galaxy clusters. If the excess power is due to the SZ effect, we can place constraints on the normalization of the matter power spectrum sigma(sub 8) = 1.03(sup +0.20)(sub -0.29) at 68% confidence. The distribution of pixel fluxes in the BIMA images are found to be consistent with simulated observations of the expected SZ background and rule out instrumental noise or radio sources as the source of the observed excess power with similar confidence to the detection of excess power. Follow-up optical observations to search for galaxy over-densities anti-correlated with flux in the BIMA images, as might be expected from the SZ effect, proved to be inconclusive.

Dawson, K. S.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Measurement of Arcminute Scale Cosmic Microwave Background Anisotropy with the BIMA Array

We report the results of our continued study of arcminute scale anisotropy in the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) with the Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland Association (BIMA) array. The survey consists of ten independent fields selected for low infrared dust emission and lack of bright radio point sources. With observations from the VLA (Very Large Array) at 4.8 GHz, we have identified point sources which could act as contaminants in estimates of the CMB power spectrum and removed them in the analysis. Modeling the observed power spectrum with a single. flat band power with average multipole of l(sub eff) = 6864, we find Delta T = 14.2((sup +4.8)(sub -6.0)) micro K at 68% confidence. The signal in the visibility data exceeds the expected contribution from instrumental noise with 96.5% confidence. We have also divided the data into two bins corresponding to different spatial resolutions in the power spectrum. We find Delta T(sub 1) = 16.6((sup +5.3)(sub -5.9)) micro K at 68% confidence for CMB flat band power described by an average multipole of l(sub eff) = 5237 and Delta T(sub 2) is less than 26.5 micro K at 95% confidence for l(sub eff) = 8748.

Dawson, K. S.↗

NASA NTRS2002

The Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Effect Spectrum of Abell 2163

We present an interferometric measurement of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect (SZE) at 1 cm for the galaxy cluster Abell 2163. We combine this data point with previous measurements at 1.1, 1.4, and 2.1 mm from the SuZIE experiment to construct the most complete SZE spectrum to date. The intensity in four wavelength bands is fit to determine the Compton y-parameter (y(sub 0)) and the peculiar velocity (v(sub p)) for this cluster. Our results are y(sub 0) = 3.56((sup +0.41+0.27)(sub -0.41-0.19)) X 10(exp -4) and v(sub p) = 410((sup +1030+460) (sub -850-440)) km s(exp -1) where we list statistical and systematic uncertainties, respectively, at 68% confidence. These results include corrections for contamination by Galactic dust emission. We find less contamination by dust emission than previously reported. The dust emission is distributed over much larger angular scales than the cluster signal and contributes little to the measured signal when the details of the SZE observing strategy are taken into account.

LaRoque, S. J.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effect Imaging of MACS Galaxy Clusters at z greater than 0.5

We present 30 GHz interferometric SZE measurements of a redshift limited, X-ray selected cluster sample from the Massive Cluster Survey (MACS). All eight of the high redshift (z.0.5, dec greater than -15) galaxy clusters were detected. Additional observations were made at 4.8 GHz with the Very Large Array to help constrain the amount of point source contamination to the SZE decrements. From SZE data alone, we derive electron temperatures in the range 5.5-18.5 keV and total masses between 1.5 and 2.6 x 10 circumflex 14 M_sun within a 65 arcsecond radius for the eight clusters. Six of the clusters are MACS discoveries, while two (C10016+1609 and MS 0451.6-0305) were detected by previous X-ray observations and have been recently observed with the Chandra observatory. The X-ray derived temperatures and masses for Cl0016+ 1609 and MS 0451.6-0305 are in good agreement with the SZE-derived values. Strong detections of the SZE signal in this sample of MACS objects confirms that they are hot, massive clusters.

Laroque, S. J.↗

NASA NTRS2001

First Intrinsic Anisotropy Observations With the Cosmic Background Imager

We present the first results of observations of the intrinsic anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background radiation with the Cosmic Background Imager from a site at 5080 in altitude in northern Chile. Our observations show a sharp decrease in C_l in the range l = 400 - 1500. Such a decrease in power at high l is one of the fundamental predictions of the standard cosmological model, and these are the first observations which cover a broad enough 1-range to show this decrease in a single experiment. The power, C_l, at l approximately 600 is higher than measured by Boomerang and Maxima, with the differences being significant at the 2.7sigma and 1.9sigma levels, respectively. The C_l we have measured enable us to place limits on the density parameter, Omega(tot) <= 0.4 or Omega(tot) >= 0.7 (90% confidence).

Padin, S.↗

NASA NTRS2001

A Preliminary Detection of Arcminute Scale Cosmic Microwave Background Anisotropy with the BIMA Array

We have used the Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland-Association (BIMA) array outfitted with sensitive cm-wave receivers to expand our search for minute scale anisotropy of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). The interferometer was placed in a compact configuration to obtain high brightness sensitivity on arcminute scales over its 6.6' FWHM field of view. The sensitivity of this experiment to flat band power peaks at a multipole of 1 = 5530 which corresponds to an angular scale of -2'. We present the analysis of a total of 470 hours of on-source integration time on eleven independent fields which were selected based on their low IR contrast and lack of bright radio sources. Applying a Bayesian analysis to the visibility data, we find CMB anisotropy flat band power Q_flat = 6.1(+2.8/-4.8) microKelvin at 68% confidence. The confidence of a nonzero signal is 76% and we find an upper limit of Q_flat < 12.4 microKelvin at 95% confidence. We have supplemented our BIMA observations with concurrent observations at 4.8 GHz with the VLA to search for and remove point sources. We find the point sources make an insignificant contribution to the observed anisotropy.

Dawson, K. S.↗

NASA NTRS2001

The Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effect Spectrum of Abell 2163

We present a measurement of the Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect (SZE) at 30 GHz for the galaxy cluster Abell 2163. Combining this data point with previous measurements at 140, 220, and 270 GHz from the SuZIE and Daibolo experiments, we construct them most complete SZE spectrum to date. The spectrum is fitted to determine the compton y parameter and the peculiar velocity for this cluster; our results are y_0=3.6 x 10(circumflex)4 and v_p=360 km s(circumflex)-1. These results include corrections for contamination by Galactic dust emission; we find the contamination level to be much less than previously reported. The dust emission, while strong, is distributed over much larger angular scales than the cluster signal and contributes little to the measured signal when the proper SZE observing strategy is taken into account.

LaRoque, S.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Limits on Arcminute-Scale Cosmic Microwave Background Anisotropy at 28.5 GHz

We have used the Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland Association (BIMA) millimeter array outfitted with sensitive centimeter-wave receivers to search for cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropies on arcminute scales. The interferometer was placed in a compact configuration that produces high brightness sensitivity, while providing discrimination against point sources. Operating at a frequency of 28.5 GHz, the FWHM primary beam of the instrument is approximately 6'.6. We have made sensitive images of seven fields, four of which where chosen specifically to have low infrared dust contrast and to be free of bright radio sources. Additional observations with the Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO) millimeter array were used to assist in the location and removal of radio point sources. Applying a Bayesian analysis to the raw visibility data, we place limits on CMB anisotropy flat-band power of Q(sub flat) = 5.6(sub -5.6)(exp 3.0) microK and Q(sub flat) < 14.1 microK at 68% and 95% confidence, respectively. The sensitivity of this experiment to flat-band power peaks at a multipole of I = 5470, which corresponds to an angular scale of approximately 2'. The most likely value of Q(sub flat) is similar to the level of the expected secondary anisotropies.

Holzapfel, W. L.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Imaging the Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effect in the High Redshift Galaxy Cluster MS1137+66

We present interferometric measurements of the Sunyaev-Zelldovich Effect (SZE) in MS1137+66, a distant galaxy cluster at a redshift of 0.78. The data were obtained in 1997 and 1998 at the Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland millimeter array using sensitive 28.5 GHz receivers optimized for imaging of the SZE, with a total on-source integration time of 87.8 hours. We discuss constraints derived from spherical "beta" model fits to the SZE data, place an upper limit on the strength of any possible radio point sources in the field, and compare the results with the x-ray data published by Donahue et al. in 1999.

Joy, M. K.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Effect Derived Distance to the High Redshift Clusters MS 0451.6-0305 and CL 0016+16

We determine the distances to the z approximately equal to 0.55 galaxy clusters MS 0451.6-0305 and CL 0016+16 from a maximum likelihood joint fit to interferometric Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect (SZE) and X-ray observations. We model the intracluster medium (ICM) using a spherical isothermal beta-model. We quantify the statistical and systematic uncertainties inherent to these direct distance measurements, and we determine constraints on the Hubble parameter for three different cosmologies. For an OmegaM = 0.3, OmegaL = 0.7 cosmology, these distances imply a Hubble constant of 63(exp 12)(sub -9)(exp +21)(sub -21) km/s/Mpc, where the uncertainties correspond to statistical followed by systematic at 68% confidence. The best fit H(sub o) is 57 km/sec/Mpc for an open OmegaM = 0.3 universe and 52 km/s/Mpc for a flat Omega = 1 universe.

Reese, E. D.↗

NASA NTRS2000

A Search for CMB Decrements Towards Distant Cluster Candidates PC 1643+4631 and VLA 1312+4237 at 28.5 GHz

Recently, Jones et al. used the Ryle telescope, operating at a frequency of 15 GHz, to detect a flux decrement in the direction of the quasar pair PC 1643+461A,B. They interpreted this signal as the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect (SZE) produced by a distant cluster of galaxies. In the course of an effort to measure CMB anisotropies using the VLA at 8.4 GHz, Richards et al. (1997) detected a similar, but smaller, decrement which we refer to as VLA 1312+4237. They also proposed that this signal might be explained as the SZE signal of a distant galaxy cluster. We report observations in the direction of these claimed sources with the Berkeley Illinois Maryland Association (BIMA) interferometer operating at 28.5 GHz. We find no evidence for SZE emission in the direction of either of the claimed sources. In the case of PC 1643+4631, the BIMA data are inconsistent with the cluster emission model proposed by Jones et al. at greater than 99.99% confidence. Together with published x-ray and optical searches, these results make a compelling case against the existence of a massive cluster in the direction of PC 1643+4631. Because of the different scales to which the VLA and BIMA instruments are sensitive, the BIMA observations are not as constraining for the VLA 1312+4237 source. The BIMA data are inconsistent with the cluster model proposed by Richards et al. (1997) at approximately 80% confidence.

Holzapfel, W. L.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Limits on Arcminute Scale Cosmic Microwave Background Anisotropy with the BIMA Array

We have used the Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland-Association (BIMA) millimeter array outfitted with sensitive cm-wave receivers to search for Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) anisotropies on arcminute scales. The interferometer was placed in a compact configuration which produces high brightness sensitivity, while providing discrimination against point sources. Operating at a frequency of 28.5 GHz, the FWHM primary beam of the instrument is 6.6 arcminutes. We have made sensitive images of seven fields, five of which where chosen specifically to have low IR dust contrast and be free of bright radio sources. Additional observations with the Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO) millimeter array were used to assist in the location and removal of radio point sources. Applying a Bayesian analysis to the raw visibility data, we place limits on CMB anisotropy flat-band power Q_flat = 5.6 (+3.0, -5.6) uK and Q_flat < 14.1 uK at 68% and 95% confidence. The sensitivity of this experiment to flat band power peaks at a multipole of l = 5470, which corresponds to an angular scale of approximately 2 arcminutes The most likely value of Q_flat is similar to the level of the expected secondary anisotropies.

Holzapfel, W. L.↗