The Signature of Strong High-Redshift Radio Backgrounds on the Cosmic Dawn 21-cm Bispectrum

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ID: 322402
2026
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Abstract
Abstract Measurements from the Absolute Radiometer for Cosmology, Astrophysics, and Diffuse Emission 2 (ARCADE-2) reveal a strong radio background in the GHz frequency range. Since the cosmological 21-cm signal is measured relative to the background radiation temperature, the presence of a radio excess can significantly alter its characteristics. Previous studies have explored the impact of an inhomogeneous radio background on the global 21-cm signal and 21-cm power spectrum. This non-uniform radio background is also expected to introduce substantial non-Gaussianity. In this work, using the bispectrum, we analyze the non-Gaussianity in the 21-cm signal in the presence of an excess galactic radio background and investigate how line-of-sight radio fluctuations from early galaxies influence its nature. We find that even a moderate enhancement in radio efficiency in early galaxies significantly affects the small-scale 21-cm bispectrum. Furthermore, the delayed heating transition caused by a galactic radio background shifts the sign change in the squeezed-limit bispectrum to lower redshifts (z ~ 11), providing a potential observational signature for distinguishing different radio background models. These results demonstrate that the 21-cm bispectrum, particularly in the squeezed limit, is highly sensitive to radio background fluctuations, making it a powerful tool for probing high-redshift radio-loud sources and the physics of the early cosmic epoch.
Reference Key
openalex_W7170167980 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Sudipta Sikder, Rajesh Mondal, Rennan Barkana, Anastasia Fialkov
Journal monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/mnras/stag1390
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