Related papers: Constraints on a non-gaussian ($\chi_m^2$) CDM mod…
We consider constraints on the amplitude of mass fluctuations in the universe, sigma_8, derived from two simple observations: the present number density of clusters and the amplitude of their correlation function. Allowing for the…
We show how observations of the evolution of the galaxy cluster number abundance can be used to constrain primordial non-Gaussianity in the universe. We carry out a maximum likelihood analysis incorporating a number of current datasets and…
[Abridged] We use data on massive galaxy clusters ($M_{\rm cluster} > 8 \times 10^{14} h^{-1} M_\odot$ within a comoving radius of $R_{\rm cluster} = 1.5 h^{-1}\Mpc$) in the redshift range $0.05 \lesssim z \lesssim 0.83$ to place…
I review a number of tests of theories for structure formation. Large-scale flows and IRAS galaxies indicate a high density parameter $\Omega \simeq 1$, in accord with inflationary predictions, but it is not clear how this meshes with the…
The abundance of rich clusters is a strong constraint on the mass power spectrum. The current constraint can be expressed in the form $\sigma_8 \Omega_m^{\gamma} = 0.5 \pm 0.1$ where $\sigma_8$ is the $rms$ mass fluctuation on 8 $h^{-1}$…
We use the presently observed number density of large X-ray clusters and linear mass power spectra to constrain the shape parameter ($\Gamma$), the spectral index ($n$), the amplitude of matter density perturbations on the scale of $8…
A basic ingredient to understand large scale fluctuations in our present day Universe is the initial conditions. Using N-body simulations, we compare the clustering that arises from Gaussian and non-Gaussian initial conditions. The latter…
In gaussian theories of structure formation, the galaxy cluster abundance is an extremely sensitive probe of the density fluctuation power spectrum and of the density parameter, $\Omega$. We develop this theme by deriving and studying in…
We use the present observed number density of large X-ray clusters to constrain the amplitude of matter density perturbations induced by cosmic strings on the scale of $8 h^{-1}$Mpc ($\sigma_8$), in both open cosmologies and flat models…
The time evolution of the number density of galaxy clusters and their mass and temperature functions are used to constrain cosmological parameters in the spatially flat dark matter models containing a fraction of hot particles (massive…
Generic models for the origin of structure predict a spectrum of initial fluctuations with a mixture of adiabatic and isocurvature perturbations. Using the observed anisotropies of the cosmic microwave backgound, the matter power spectra…
A companion paper presents a worked model for evolution through inflation to initial conditions for an isocurvature model for structure formation. It is shown here that the model is consistent with the available observational constraints…
We report constraints on primordial non-Gaussianity from the abundance of X-ray detected clusters. Our analytic prescription for adding non-Gaussianity to the cluster mass function takes into account moments beyond the skewness, and we…
It was pointed out recently that in some inflationary models quantum loops containing a scalar of mass $m$ that couples to the inflaton can be the dominant source of primordial non-Gaussianities. We explore this phenomenon in the simplest…
(Shortened Abstract). We analyze a redshift sample of Abell/ACO clusters and compare them with numerical simulations based on the truncated Zel'dovich approximation (TZA), for a list of eleven dark matter (DM) models. For each model we run…
(shortened) We develop and test a method to compute mass and auto-correlation functions of rich clusters of galaxies from linear density fluctuations, based on the formalism of Gaussian peaks (Bardeen et al 1986). The essential, new…
We study non-Gaussianity, the spectral index of primordial scalar fluctuations and tensor modes in models where fluctuations from the inflaton and the curvaton can both contribute to the present cosmic density fluctuations. Even though…
We address whether possible scale-dependent deviations from gaussianity in the primordial density field that are consistent with the cosmic microwave background observations could explain the apparent excess of early cluster formation at…
Inflating curvaton can create curvature perturbation when the curvaton density is slowly varying. Using the delta-N formalism, we discuss the evolution of the curvature perturbation during curvaton inflation and find analytic formulation of…
We consider gravitational clustering from primoridal non-Gaussian fluctuations provided by a $\chi^2$ model, as motivated by some models of inflation. The emphasis is in signatures that can be used to constrain this type of models from…