Perturbation theory models for LSST-era galaxy clustering: Tests with subpercent mock catalog measurements in Fourier and configuration space

We analyze the clustering of galaxies using the z = 1.006 snapshot of the CosmoDC2 simulation, a high-fidelity synthetic galaxy catalog designed to validate analysis methods for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). We present subpercent measurements of the galaxy autocorrelation and galaxy-dark matter cross correlations in Fourier space and configuration space for a magnitude-limited galaxy sample. At these levels of precision, the statistical errors of the measurement are comparable to the systematic effects present in the simulation and measurement procedure; nevertheless, using a hybrid-PT model, we are able to model nonlinear galaxy bias with 0.5% precision up to scales of k(max) = 0.5 h=Mpc and r(min) = 4 Mpc=h. While the linear bias parameter is measured with 0.01% precision, other bias parameters are determined with considerably weaker constraints and sometimes bimodal posterior distributions. We compare our fiducial model with lower dimensional models, where the higher-order bias parameters are fixed at their coevolution values and find that leaving these parameters free provides significant improvements in our ability to model small scale information. We also compare bias parameters for galaxy samples defined using different magnitude bands and find agreement between samples containing equal numbers of galaxies. Finally, we compare bias parameters between Fourier space and configuration space and find moderate to significant tension between the two approaches. Although our model is often unable to fit the CosmoDC2 galaxy samples within the 0.1% precision of our measurements, our results suggest that the hybrid-PT model used in this analysis is capable of modeling nonlinear galaxy bias within the percent level precision needed for upcoming galaxy surveys.

Automated summary

In this study, we analyzed the clustering of galaxies using the CosmoDC2 simulation data. We provided subpercent measurements of galaxy autocorrelation and galaxy-dark matter cross correlations in Fourier space and configuration space. We used a hybrid-PT model to model nonlinear galaxy bias with 0.5% precision and found that the linear bias parameter was measured with 0.01% precision. Our results showed consistency between galaxy samples defined using different magnitude bands and moderate to significant tension between Fourier space and configuration space approaches.