Neglecting linear GR effects biases f_NL at 1–3σ for Euclid/SPHEREx in SFB forecasts; multi-tracer improves Doppler detection and weakly breaks b_ϕ f_NL degeneracy.
Towards optimal and robust $f_{\rm NL}$ constraints with multi-tracer analyses
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abstract
We discuss the potential of the multi-tracer technique to improve observational constraints of the local primordial non-Gaussianity (PNG) parameter $f_{\rm NL}$ from the galaxy power spectrum. For two galaxy samples $A$ and $B$, the constraining power is $\propto |b_1^B b_\phi^A - b_1^Ab_\phi^B|$, where $b_1$ and $b_\phi$ are the linear and PNG galaxy bias parameters. We show this allows for significantly improved constraints compared to the traditional expectation $\propto |b_1^A - b_1^B|$ based on naive universality-like relations where $b_\phi \propto b_1$. Using IllustrisTNG galaxy simulation data, we find that different equal galaxy number splits of the full sample lead to different $|b_1^B b_\phi^A - b_1^Ab_\phi^B|$, and thus have different constraining power. Of all of the strategies explored, splitting by $g-r$ color is the most promising, more than doubling the significance of detecting $f_{\rm NL}b_\phi \neq 0$. Importantly, since these are constraints on $f_{\rm NL}b_\phi$ and not $f_{\rm NL}$, they do not require priors on the $b_\phi(b_1)$ relation. For direct constraints on $f_{\rm NL}$, we show that multi-tracer constraints can be significantly more robust than single-tracer to $b_\phi$ misspecifications and uncertainties; this relaxes the precision and accuracy requirements for $b_\phi$ priors. Our results present new opportunities to improve our chances to detect and robustly constrain $f_{\rm NL}$, and strongly motivate galaxy formation simulation campaigns to calibrate the $b_\phi(b_1)$ relation.
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astro-ph.CO 1years
2026 1verdicts
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Impact and measurability of linear relativistic effects in galaxy surveys
Neglecting linear GR effects biases f_NL at 1–3σ for Euclid/SPHEREx in SFB forecasts; multi-tracer improves Doppler detection and weakly breaks b_ϕ f_NL degeneracy.