The comptonization parameter from simulations of single-frequency, single-dish, dual-beam, cm-wave observations of galaxy clusters and mitigating CMB confusion using the Planck sky survey

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the accuracy of measuring galaxy cluster properties via Sunyaev-Zel'dovich observations at 30 GHz, using simulations to understand systematic effects and CMB confusion mitigation strategies.

Contribution

It introduces a simulation-based analysis of dual-beam radio observations of galaxy clusters, focusing on single-frequency SZ flux extraction and CMB confusion mitigation using Planck data.

Findings

Single-frequency observations can accurately estimate SZ flux densities with proper strategies.

CMB confusion can be mitigated using Planck sky survey data.

Observation strategies and pointing accuracy significantly affect measurement precision.

Abstract

Systematic effects in dual-beam, differential, radio observations of extended objects are discussed in the context of the One Centimeter Receiver Array (OCRA). We use simulated samples of Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) galaxy clusters at low ($z<0.4$) and intermediate ($0.4<z<1.0$) redshifts to study the implications of operating at a single frequency (30 GHz) on the accuracy of extracting SZ flux densities and of reconstructing comptonization parameters with OCRA. We analyze dependences on cluster mass, redshift, observation strategy, and telescope pointing accuracy. Using $Planck$ data to make primary cosmic microwave background (CMB) templates, we test the feasibility of mitigating CMB confusion effects in observations of SZ profiles at angular scales larger than the separation of the receiver beams.