Cosmology and Astrophysics with the Diffuse eRASS1 X-ray Angular Power Spectrum

TL;DR

This paper uses eROSITA X-ray data to measure the angular power spectrum of galaxy clusters, providing competitive constraints on the cosmological parameter S_8 and insights into astrophysical processes within clusters.

Contribution

It presents the first constraints on S_8 from the X-ray angular power spectrum of clusters using eROSITA data, incorporating detailed astrophysical modeling.

Findings

Measured S_8 = 0.80^{+0.02}_{-0.01} with eRASS1 data.

Achieved unprecedented precision in power spectrum measurement.

Provided constraints on feedback, non-thermal pressure, and cluster gas physics.

Abstract

The recent tension in the value of the cosmological parameter $S_8 \equiv \sigma_8(\Omega_M/0.3)^{1/2}$, which represents the amplitude of the matter density fluctuations of the universe, has not been resolved. In this work, we present constraints on $S_8$ with the X-ray angular power spectra of clusters and groups measured with the half-sky map from the eROSITA All Sky Survey data release 1 (eRASS1). Thanks to the extensive sky coverage of eRASS1, it achieves unprecedented precision compared to previous power spectrum measurements. Using a well-calibrated, physical halo gas model that includes astrophysics of feedback and non-thermal pressure support, we obtain $S_8 = 0.80^{+0.02}_{-0.01}$ with 1$\sigma$ uncertainty that is competitive against other cosmological probes. Our derived $S_8$ value is smaller than the primary CMB measurements from {\em Planck}, but still consistent to within $1\sigma$. We also obtain constraints on the astrophysics of feedback, non-thermal pressure, equation of state in cluster cores, and outer boundaries of gas in clusters and groups. We discuss how additional X-ray observations, and cosmological surveys in microwave and optical, will further improve the cosmological constraints with the angular power spectrum. Our work demonstrates that the angular power spectrum of clusters and groups is a promising probe of both cosmology and astrophysics.