The status of 21cm interferometric experiments

TL;DR

This paper reviews the development, current status, and future prospects of 21cm interferometric experiments aimed at studying the Epoch of Reionisation, highlighting lessons learned and experimental challenges.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of past, present, and future interferometric efforts to detect the 21cm signal from reionization, emphasizing lessons and technological progress.

Findings

Progress in detecting the 21cm signal has been made with current experiments.

Challenges include foreground contamination and instrumental calibration.

Future experiments like HERA and SKA are promising for detailed exploration.

Abstract

Interferometric experiments of the reionization era offer the advantages of measuring power in spatial modes with increased sensitivity afforded by multiple independent sky measurements. Here we review early work to measure this signal, current experiments, and future opportunities, highlighting the lessons learned along the way that have shaped the research field and experimental design. In particular, this chapter discusses the history, progress, challenges and forecasts for detection and exploration of the spatial structure of the 21~cm brightness temperature signal in the Epoch of Reionisation using interferometric experiments. We discuss GMRT, PAPER, LOFAR, MWA, and the future HERA and SKA.