AASKA14_001.pdf (2.15 MB)
The Cosmic Dawn and Epoch of Reionisation with SKA
chapter
posted on 2023-06-09, 07:31 authored by L Koopmans, J Pritchard, G Mellema, J Aguirre, K Ahn, R Barkana, I van Bemmel, A Bernardi, A Bonaldi, F Briggs, A G de Bruyn, T C Chang, E Chapman, X Chen, B Ciardi, P Dayal, A Ferrara, A Fialkov, F Fiore, K Ichiki, Ilian IlievIlian Iliev, al. etConcerted effort is currently ongoing to open up the Epoch of Reionization (z ~15-6) for studies with IR and radio telescopes. Whereas IR detections have been made of sources (Lyman-a emitters, quasars and drop-outs) in this redshift regime in relatively small fields of view, no direct detection of neutral hydrogen, via the redshifted 21-cm line, has yet been established. Such a direct detection is expected in the coming years, with ongoing surveys, and could open up the entire universe from z ~6-200 for astrophysical and cosmological studies, opening not only the Epoch of Reionization, but also its preceding Cosmic Dawn (z ~30-15) and possibly even the later phases of the Dark Ages (z ~200-30). All currently ongoing experiments attempt statistical detections of the 21-cm signal during the Epoch of Reionization, with limited signal-to-noise. Direct imaging, except maybe on the largest (degree) scales at lower redshifts, as well as higher redshifts will remain out of reach. The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will revolutionize the field, allowing direct imaging of neutral hydrogen from scales of arc-minutes to degrees over most of the redshift range z ~6-28 with SKA1-LOW, and possibly even higher redshifts with the SKA2-LOW. In this SKA will be unique, and in parallel provide enormous potential of synergy with other upcoming facilities (e.g. JWST). In this chapter we summarize the physics of 21-cm emission, the different phases the universe is thought to go through, and the observables that the SKA can probe, referring where needed to detailed chapters in this volume. This is done within the framework of the current SKA1 baseline design and a nominal CD/EoR straw-man survey, consisting of a shallow, medium-deep and deep survey, the latter probing down to ~1 mK brightness temperature on arc-minute scales at the end of reionization. Possible minor modifications to the design of SKA1 and the upgrade to SKA2 are discussed, in addition to science that could be done already during roll-out when SKA1 still has limited capabilities and/or core collecting area.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Publisher
Dolman ScottVolume
2Page range
1529-1556Pages
1008.0Book title
Advancing Astrophysics with the Square Kilometre ArrayPlace of publication
Thatcham, UKISBN
9781909204706Department affiliated with
- Physics and Astronomy Publications
Notes
Paper given at the conference "Advancing Astrophysics with the Square Kilometre Array" (9-13 June, 2014 Giardini Naxos, Italy)Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Editors
SKA OrganisationLegacy Posted Date
2017-08-02First Open Access (FOA) Date
2017-08-02First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2017-08-02Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC