The LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration (DESC) Science Requirements Document

TL;DR

This document outlines the LSST DESC's scientific goals, analysis requirements, and systematic uncertainty management strategies for using multiple cosmological probes to constrain dark energy properties.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive set of science requirements and systematic control strategies for LSST DESC's dark energy analysis, integrating multiple probes and forecasting methods.

Findings

Quantifies dark energy constraints from five cosmological probes.

Defines analysis pipeline requirements for Stage IV dark energy experiments.

Establishes systematic uncertainty management strategies.

Abstract

The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) Dark Energy Science Collaboration (DESC) will use five cosmological probes: galaxy clusters, large scale structure, supernovae, strong lensing, and weak lensing. This Science Requirements Document (SRD) quantifies the expected dark energy constraining power of these probes individually and together, with conservative assumptions about analysis methodology and follow-up observational resources based on our current understanding and the expected evolution within the field in the coming years. We then define requirements on analysis pipelines that will enable us to achieve our goal of carrying out a dark energy analysis consistent with the Dark Energy Task Force definition of a Stage IV dark energy experiment. This is achieved through a forecasting process that incorporates the flowdown to detailed requirements on multiple sources of systematic uncertainty. Future versions of this document will include evolution in our software capabilities and analysis plans along with updates to the LSST survey strategy.