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Correlation Functions and the Spectrum of the Initial Fluctuations

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Galaxy Formation

Part of the book series: Astronomy and Astrophysics Library ((AAL))

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Abstract

The comparison of the observed distribution of galaxies in space with the expectations of different models of the origin of large scale structures is best carried out using correlation functions. We introduce two-point correlation functions for galaxies and show how they are related to the power spectrum of their distribution in space. Estimates of the initial power spectrum, and specifically the Harrison-Zeldovich power spectrum, are introduced. Various physical processes modify the initial power spectrum and these are described by transfer functions. These concepts are applied to a number models of structure formation, including the Adiabatic Hot and Cold Dark Matter models and Isocurvature Cold Dark Matter models. The evolution of these models are followed to the present epoch.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    I have given a simple treatment of dynamical friction in astronomical systems as the gravitational analogue of the process of ionisation losses in the interactions of charged particles (Longair, 2011).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

    Malcolm S. Longair

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  1. Malcolm S. Longair
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Longair, M.S. (2023). Correlation Functions and the Spectrum of the Initial Fluctuations. In: Galaxy Formation. Astronomy and Astrophysics Library. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-65891-8_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-65891-8_14

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-65890-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-65891-8

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