Breaking the sigma_8-Omega_m degeneracy using the clustering of high-z X-ray AGN

TL;DR

This study uses high-redshift X-ray AGN clustering data to effectively break the degeneracy between Omega_m and sigma_8, providing refined cosmological parameter constraints consistent with some methods but conflicting with bulk flow results.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach combining high-precision AGN clustering with bias evolution models to break the Omega_m-sigma_8 degeneracy in cosmology.

Findings

Omega_m=0.27 (+0.03 -0.05)

sigma_8=0.74 (+0.14 -0.12)

Results align with cluster and CMB studies, but not with bulk flow analysis.

Abstract

The clustering of X-ray selected AGN appears to be a valuable tool for extracting cosmological information. Using the recent high-precision angular clustering results of ~30000 XMM-Newton soft (0.5-2 keV) X-ray sources (Ebrero et al. 2009), which have a median redshift of $z\sim 1$, and assuming a flat geometry, a constant in comoving coordinates AGN clustering evolution and the AGN bias evolution model of Basilakos et al. (2008), we manage to break the Omega_m-sigma_8 degeneracy. The resulting cosmological constraints are: Omega_m=0.27 (+0.03 -0.05), w=-0.90 (+0.10 -0.16) and sigma_8=0.74 (+0.14 -0.12), while the dark matter host halo mass, in which the X-ray selected AGN are presumed to reside, is M=2.50 (+0.50 -1.50) X 10^13 h^{-1} M(solar). For the constant Lambda model (w=-1) we find Omega_m=0.24 (+- 0.06) and sigma_8=0.83 (+0.11 -0.16), in good agreement with recent studies based on cluster abundances, weak lensing and the CMB, but in disagreement with the recent bulk flow analysis.