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Deeper multi-redshift upper limits on the Epoch of Reionization 21-cm signal power spectrum from LOFAR between z=8.3 and z=10.1

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arxiv 2503.05576 v2 pith:MD5ZHCF6 submitted 2025-03-07 astro-ph.CO

classification astro-ph.CO
keywords mathrmsignallimitslofarpoweruppercmpcdelta
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abstract

We present new upper limits on the 21-cm signal power spectrum from the Epoch of Reionization (EoR), at redshifts $z \approx 10.1, 9.1, \text{ and } 8.3$, based on reprocessed observations from the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR). The analysis incorporates significant enhancements in calibration methods, sky model subtraction, radio-frequency interference (RFI) mitigation, and an improved signal separation technique using machine learning to develop a physically motivated covariance model for the 21-cm signal. These advancements have markedly reduced previously observed excess power due to residual systematics, bringing the measurements closer to the theoretical thermal noise limit across the entire $k$-space. Using comparable observational data, we achieve a 2 to 4-fold improvement over our previous LOFAR limits, with best upper limits of $\Delta_{21}^2 < (68.7\,\mathrm{mK})^2$ at $k = 0.076\,h\,\mathrm{cMpc}^{-1}$, $\Delta_{21}^2 < (54.3\,\mathrm{mK})^2$ at $k = 0.076\,h\,\mathrm{cMpc}^{-1}$ and $\Delta_{21}^2 < (65.5\,\mathrm{mK})^2$ at $k = 0.083\,h\,\mathrm{cMpc}^{-1}$ at redshifts $z \approx 10.1, 9.1$, and $8.3$, respectively. These new multi-redshift upper limits provide new constraints that can be used to refine our understanding of the astrophysical processes during the EoR. Comprehensive validation tests, including signal injection, were performed to ensure the robustness of our methods. The remaining excess power is attributed to residual foreground emissions from distant sources, beam model inaccuracies, and low-level RFI. We discuss ongoing and future improvements to the data processing pipeline aimed at further reducing these residuals, thereby enhancing the sensitivity of LOFAR observations in the quest to detect the 21-cm signal from the EoR.

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Forward citations

Cited by 5 Pith papers

Reviewed papers in the Pith corpus that reference this work. Sorted by Pith novelty score. OpenAlex reports about 7 citations worldwide. Full citation record

  1. CosmoUiT: A Vision Transformer-UNet Hybrid for Fast and Accurate Emulation of 21-cm Maps from the Epoch of Reionization

    astro-ph.CO 2025-10 conditional novelty 6.0 of 10

    A Vision Transformer-UNet hybrid emulates 3D EoR 21-cm cubes conditioned on reionization parameters, matching simulated large-scale power spectra with mild small-scale suppression.

  2. Improved upper limits on the 21-cm signal power spectrum at $z=17.0$ and $z=20.3$ from an optimal field observed with NenuFAR

    astro-ph.CO 2025-07 conditional novelty 6.0 of 10

    NenuFAR observations of the NT04 field set the deepest 21-cm power spectrum upper limits to date at z=20.3 and z=17.0, with the z=20.3 limit more than an order of magnitude deeper than any previous Cosmic Dawn limit.

  3. Semi-analytic modelling of Pop. III star formation and metallicity evolution -- II. Impact on 21cm power spectrum

    astro-ph.CO 2025-02 conditional novelty 6.0 of 10

    Strong X-ray emission from Population III stars leaves a detectable enhancement in the 21cm power spectrum at z=7-10, provided their X-ray luminosity per star formation is at least an order of magnitude above Population II.

  4. Cosmology with HI Intensity Mapping

    astro-ph.CO 2026-07 accept novelty 4.0 of 10

    SKAO HI intensity mapping forecasts yield competitive LambdaCDM constraints (e.g. H0 to ~0.3 km/s/Mpc optimistic) via power spectrum, BAO, bispectrum and stacking, complementary to CMB and optical surveys.

  5. Machine Learning and the SKA for Cosmic Dawn and the Epoch of Reionization

    astro-ph.IM 2026-07 accept novelty 2.5 of 10

    A multi-author overview of machine-learning algorithms proposed for instrument modelling, data analysis, simulation and inference in SKA Cosmic Dawn and Epoch of Reionization science.

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