Certains aspects de l'extraction du signal cosmologique à 21 cm à partir des observations radio, ainsi que le traitement des données interférométriques pour des observations depuis le sol et depuis l'espace ont été étudiés et sont présentés dans cette thèse. J'ai développé un modèle cohérent et à haute résolution du ciel en radio, qui peut fournir une carte complète et précise du ciel, dans la gamme de fréquence 10 MHz à 2,3 GHz, avec une résolution pouvant atteindre une minute d'arc. Le modèle inclut plusieurs sources de rayonnement diffus, en particulier le synchrotron Galactique, les sources radio brillantes du ciel, ainsi qu'un modèle des sources faibles. J'ai également mis au point une méthode pour extraire le signal 21 cm cosmologique, fortement contaminé par les émissions d'avant-plan et le bruit des récepteurs. La méthode utilise une cascade de deux filtres de Wiener, dans l'espace des fréquences d'abord, et ensuite, dans le domaine angulaire. Le premier filtre exploite les variations lentes des émissions d'avant-plan selon la fréquence, tandis que le second filtre exploite les corrélations angulaires du signal cosmologique pour filtrer le bruit des récepteurs, considéré non corrélé entre deux directions différentes. J'ai développé un nouvel algorithme d'imagerie pour les interféromètres en orbite lunaire. Un tel instrument serait idéal pour cartographier le ciel en dessous de 30 MHz; il ne serait en effet pas soumis aux perturbations ionosphériques et serait protégé des interférences électromagnétiques dues aux émissions terrestres. J'ai montré que l'utilisation de la précession du plan orbital du satellite permet de résoudre le problème de la symétrie miroir. La méthode exploite la relation de projection linéaire entre la carte du ciel et les visibilités mesurées, tant dans l'espace angulaire que dans l'espace des harmoniques sphériques pour reconstruire la carte du ciel. L'algorithme d'imagerie gère la complication due à l'ombre de la Lune se déplaçant avec le temps sur le champ de vue des antennes couvrant tout le ciel. Notons que ces effets ne sont pas pris en charge par les algorithmes d'imagerie existants tels que la W-Projection et la WStacking. Enfin, j'ai effectué une première analyse des données de l'interféromètre de transit PAON-4. J'ai évalué la performance globale du réseau en termes de température de bruit et de la réponse des antennes. J'ai pu étalonner avec succès les visibilités, en déterminant à la fois l'amplitude et la phase des termes de gain complexes, tout en corrigeant les décalages de pointage des antennes de PAON4. J'ai ensuite reconstruit la carte du ciel pour une bande de 10 degrés autour de la déclinaison de la source brillante Cygnus A, à partir du flot de données PAON-4 calibré et nettoyé, en appliquant l'algorithme de décomposition en mode m dans l'espace des harmoniques sphériques. / Some aspects of extracting cosmological 21cm signal from radio observations, as well as processing of interferometric data for ground based or space born instruments have been studied and discussed in this dissertation. I have developed a high-resolution self-consistent radio whole sky model, which provides an accurate full sky maps in the frequency range from 10 MHz to 2.3 GHz, with angular resolution up to 1 arcmin. It includes bright and faint radio sources, Galactic synchrotron and Galactic freefree emissions. I have also developed a method to extract the faint cosmological 21-cm signal, heavily contaminated by foreground emissions and receiver noise. The method uses a cascade of two Wiener filters, in frequency domain and then, in angular domain. The first filter exploits the smoothness of the foreground emissions along the frequency, while the second filter exploits the angular correlations of the cosmological signal, due to the receiver noise is considered to be nearly uncorrelated between different directions. I have developed a studied the performance of a new imaging algorithm for lunar orbit interferometers. Such an instrument would be ideal for mapping the radio sky below 30 MHz, as it would be free from ionospheric perturbations, as well as electromagnetic interferences due to terrestrial emissions. I have shown that we make use of the precession of satellite orbital plane to solve the mirror symmetry problem, and exploit the linear mapping between the sky map and the measured visibilities, both in angular space and spherical harmonic space to reconstruct the sky map. The imaging algorithm handles the time-varying Moon's blockage over the whole sky field of view, which are not handled by existing imaging algorithms such as the WProjection and the W-Stacking. Finally, I have carried out a first analysis of the observational visibility data from the PAON-4 transit interferometer. I have evaluated the overall performance of the array in terms of system temperature and antenna response, and successfully calibrated the visibilities, determining both amplitude and phase of the complex gain terms, while correcting PAON-4 antennae pointing offsets. I have then reconstructed the sky map for a 10 degree strip around Cygnus A declination, from the cleaned calibrated PAON-4 data streams, applying the m-mode decomposition map-making algorithm in spherical harmonic space.

abstract: The Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) has provided precise information on the evolution of the Universe and the current cosmological paradigm. The CMB has not yet provided definitive information on the origin and strength of any primordial magnetic fields or how they affect the presence of magnetic fields observed throughout the cosmos. This work outlines an alternative method to investigating and identifying the presence of cosmic magnetic fields. This method searches for Faraday Rotation (FR) and specifically uses polarized CMB photons as back-light. I find that current generation CMB experiments may be not sensitive enough to detect FR but next generation experiments should be able to make highly significant detections. Identifying FR with the CMB will provide information on the component of magnetic fields along the line of sight of observation. The 21cm emission from the hyperfine splitting of neutral Hydrogen in the early universe is predicted to provide precise information about the formation and evolution of cosmic structure, complementing the wealth of knowledge gained from the CMB. 21cm cosmology is a relatively new field, and precise measurements of the Epoch of Reionization (EoR) have not yet been achieved. In this work I present 2σ upper limits on the power spectrum of 21cm fluctuations (Δ²(k)) probed at the cosmological wave number k from the Donald C. Backer Precision Array for Probing the Epoch of Reionization (PAPER) 64 element deployment. I find upper limits on Δ²(k) in the range 0.3 < k < 0.6 h/Mpc to be (650 mK)², (450 mK)², (390 mK)², (250 mK)², (280mK)², (250 mK)² at redshifts z = 10.87, 9.93, 8.91, 8.37, 8.13 and 7.48 respectively Building on the power spectrum analysis, I identify a major limiting factor in detecting the 21cm power spectrum. This work is concluded by outlining a metric to evaluate the predisposition of redshifted 21cm interferometers to foreground contamination in power spectrum estimation. This will help inform the construction of future arrays and enable high fidelity imaging and cross-correlation analysis with other high redshift cosmic probes like the CMB and other upcoming all sky surveys. I find future arrays with uniform (u,v) coverage and small spectral evolution of their response in the (u,v,f) cube can minimize foreground leakage while pursuing 21cm imaging. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Physics 2018

Hybrid models of inflation are particularly interesting and well motivated, since easily embedded in various high energy frameworks like supersymmetry/supergravity, Grand Unified Theories or extra-dimensional theories. If the original hybrid model is often considered as disfavored, because it generically predicts a blue spectrum of scalar perturbations, realistic hybrid models can be in agreement with CMB observations. The dynamics of hybrid models is usually approximated by the evolution of a scalar field slowly rolling along a nearly flat valley. Inflation ends with a waterfall phase, due to a tachyonic instability. This final phase is usually assumed to be nearly instantaneous. <p> <p>In this thesis, we go beyond these approximations and analyze the exact 2-field non-linear dynamics of hybrid models. Several non trivial effects are put in evidence: 1) the possible violation of the slow-roll conditions along the valley induce the non existence of inflation at small field values. Provided super-planckian fields, the scalar spectrum of the original model is red, in agreement with CMB observations, independently of the position of the critical instability point. 2) Contrary to what was thought, the initial field values leading to inflation are not fine-tuned along the valley but also occupy a considerable part of the field space exterior to it. They form a complex connected structure with fractal boundaries that is the basin of attraction of the valley. Using bayesian methods, their distribution in the whole parameter space, including initial velocities, is studied. Natural bounds on the potential parameters are derived. 3) For the original model, after the field evolution along the valley, inflation continues for more than 60 e-folds along the waterfall trajectories in some part of the parameter space. Observable predictions are modified, and the scalar power spectrum of adiabatic perturbations is generically red, possibly in agreement with CMB observations. Moreover, topological defects are conveniently stretched outside the observable Universe. 4) The analysis of the initial conditions is extended to the case of a closed Universe, in which the initial singularity is replaced by a classical bounce. Contrary to some other scenarios, due to the attractor nature of the valley, the field values in the contracting phase do not need to be extremely fine-tuned to generate a bounce followed by a phase of hybrid inflation. <p> <p>In the third part of the thesis, we study how the present CMB constraints on the cosmological parameters could be ameliorated with the observation of the 21cm cosmic background from the dark ages and the reionization, by the future generation of giant radio-telescope. Assuming ideal foreground removals, forecasts on the cosmological parameters are determined for a characteristic Fast Fourier Transform Telescope experiment, by using both Fisher matrix and MCMC methods. / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Wideband, wide-scan antenna arrays are a promising candidate for the future wireless networks and as well as an essential part of experimental radio astrophysics. Understanding the underline physics of the element performance in the array environment is paramount to develop and improve the performance of array systems. The focus of this thesis is to develop novel wideband antenna array technologies and develop new theoretical insights of the fundamental limits of antenna arrays. The developed methodologies have also been extended to include a radio astrophysics application for the global 21cm experiment.   Investigating the fundamental antenna array limits and extracting general performance measures can provide a priori estimates for any application of arrays. In this thesis, a general measure for antenna arrays, the array figure of merit is proposed. This measure couples bandwidth, height from the ground plane and reflection coefficient in a bounded quantity. An extension of the array figure of merit that is able to provide matching, bandwidth and directivity/gain limits is also introduced. The soft Vivaldi array is introduced as a novel wideband, wide-scan angle array technology. Periodic structure loading has been utilized to improve the array's performance and mold the electromagnetic wave behavior to our benefit. The soft condition has been utilized in the same manner as the conventional soft-horn antenna at the Vivaldi element. An integrated matching layer in the form of periodic strip loading is introduced. A single polarized soft Vivaldi array prototype has been developed fabricated and measured. The developed finite array has been loaded with a soft condition in the periphery to mitigate edge effects. The results indicated improved cross-polarization and side-lobe levels. A new class of wideband antenna arrays, the Strongly Coupled Asymmetric Dipole Array (SCADA) was also proposed in this thesis. Exploiting asymmetry in the array element introduces an additional degree of freedom that improves bandwidth and scanning performance. A novel methodology for terminating finite arrays is also proposed. The theory and an experimental antenna array is presented with good agreement between measured and simulated results. An effort to integrate a vertical wide angle matching layer was also addressed and a prototype array with this concept is presented. In the last part of this thesis, a methodology for the detection of the global cosmological 21cm signal from the Epoch of Reionization (EoR) is developed. The main sources of errors in this experiment, the foregrounds and the antenna chromaticity are evaluated. A new algorithmic methodology for extracting the global EoR signal is proposed. The method is based on piecewise polynomial fitting and has successfully been applied and evaluated. An antenna array that is based on the methodologies described in this thesis has been developed and evaluated with the proposed algorithm. / Bredbandiga gruppantenner med stor utstyrningsvinkel är en av de lovande kandidaterna för nästa generations trådlösa kommunikationsnätverk samt en väsentlig del av experimentell radioastrofysik. Att förstå de bakomliggande fysikaliska principerna hos gruppantennens element är avgörande för att kunna utveckla och förbättra prestandan hos ett gruppantennsystem. Denna avhandling är fokuserad på att utveckla nya bredbandstekniker samt nya teoretiska insikter om de grundläggande gränserna för gruppantenner. De här utvecklade metoderna har förutom kommunikationstillämpningar också tillämpats på en radioastrofysik tillämpning i det globala 21cm experimentet. Att undersöka de fundamentala gränserna för gruppantenner och att utröna allmängiltiga mått på deras prestandaegenskaper kan möjliggöra a priori uppskattningar om gruppantenns tillämpbarhet för dess planerade användning. I den här avhandlingen föreslås ett allmänt kvalitetsmått på gruppantenner: gruppantennkvaliten. Detta mått kopplar samman främst bandbredd, reflektionskoefficienten med antennens tjocklek över ett jordplanet. En utvidgning av begreppet gruppantennkvaliten, presenters också i avhandlingen det kopplar samman bandbredd, matchning med antennens direktivitet/förstärkningsfaktor. En Vivaldi-gruppantenn med mjuka ytor introduceras här som en ny sorts bredbandig gruppantenn med stor utstyrningsvinkel. I antennen har en periodisk belastning inkluderats för att förbättra dess egenskaper, och för att forma antennens elektromagnetiska utstrålning till vår fördel. Den mjuka ytan på elementet har används på ett liknande sätt som det välkända korrigerade Vivaldihornets design, och har integrerats direkt i elementets design. Den här utvecklade ändliga gruppantennen har också en mjuk yta på dess yttre delar för att minska kanteffekternas påverkan av antennprestandan. Resultaten indikerade både förbättrad korspolarisations och lägre sidlobsnivåer hos antennen. En ny klass av bredbandiga gruppantenner har utvecklas i denna avhandling, den kallas en Starkt Kopplad Asymmetrisk Dipol-gruppAntennen - SCADA. Genom att utnyttja geometrisk asymmetri i antennelementet introduceras ytterligare en frihetsgrad som möjliggör förbättrad bandbredd och utstyrning. Vidare presenteras här en ny metod för impedansterminering av ändliga gruppantenner. Både SCADA-teorin samt dess verifiering i forma av en experimentell gruppantenn presenteras här. Teori, simulering och experiment visar god överenskommelse, vilket validerar idéerna. En prototyp av ett matchande skikt som stöder stor utstyrbarhet har integrerats med gruppantennprototypen och presenteras i avhandlingen. I den sista delen av avhandling utvecklas också en metod för detektering av den globala kosmologiska 21 cm-signalen från universums rejoniseringsepok - EoR. Huvudkällorna för mätfel i detta experiment utvärderas, de är antennens kromaticiteten och förgrundsstrålningen. En ny algoritmbaserad metod för att extrahera den globala EoR-signalen föreslås. Metoden är baserad på anpassning med multipla polynom och har med framgång tillämpats och utvärderats. En gruppantenn som baseras på de metoder som beskrivs i avhandling har också föreslagits och dess prestanda har utvärderats med den föreslagna metoden. / <p>QC 20171121</p>

L'analyse des propriétés statistiques de la distribution de la matière dans le cosmos (Grandes Structures, LSS or Large Scale Structure) est l'une des principales sondes cosmologiques qui permettent l'étude du modèle standard cosmologique, en particulier les paramètres caractérisant la matière noire et l'énergie noire. Les Oscillations Acoustiques Baryoniques (BAO's) sont l'une des mesures qui peuvent être extraites de l'étude de la distribution de matière à grande échelle (LSS).L'observation de la distribution cosmique de la matière à partir de l'émission à 21 cm de l'hydrogène atomique neutre (HI) est une nouvelle méthode, complémentaire des relevés optiques pour cartographier la distribution de la matière dans le cosmos. La méthode de cartographie d'intensité (Intensity Mapping) a été proposée depuis moins d'une dizaine d'années comme une méthode efficace pour cartographier en trois dimensions l'émission radio à 21 cm. Elle n'implique en particulier pas la détection des objets individuels (galaxies), et peut donc être effectué avec des instruments plus modestes en taille que ceux comme SKA ou FAST qui sont conçus pour détecter les galaxies à 21 cm à des distances cosmologiques. Des interféromètres radio utilisant un ensemble de réflecteurs cylindriques ou paraboliques fixes, observant le ciel en mode transit sont adaptés à la cartographie d'intensité. Le mode d'observation spécifique de ce type de radio télescope en cartographie d'intensité est étudié dans le cadre de ce travail de thèse. On montre en particulier qu'une méthode spécifique de reconstruction des cartes du ciel à partir des visibilités peut être appliquée aux observations de ces interféromètres fonctionnant en mode transit. Cette méthode correspond à la décomposition en modes m des harmoniques sphériques et est très performante pour la reconstruction de grandes zones du ciel observées en mode transit. Un code de reconstruction fondé sur ce principe a été développé, ainsi que différents critères de comparaison des performances instrumentales, comme le lobe d'antenne synthétisé, le spectre de bruit sur les cartes reconstruites et la réponse globale de l'instrument dans le plan (l,m) des harmoniques sphériques. La méthode a été appliquée à différentes configurations des interféromètres composés de réflecteurs paraboliques ou cylindriques dans le cadre des projets PAON-4 et Tianlai. Outre l'optimisation des configurations des interféromètres Tianlai et PAON-4, le travail présenté inclut une première application de la méthode aux données PAON-4. / The analysis of the statistical properties of the distribution of matter in the cosmos (LSS or Large Scale Structure) is one of the main cosmological probes that allow the study of the cosmological standard model, in particular the parameters characterizing dark matter and dark energy. Baryonic Acoustic Oscillations (BAO's) are one of the measurements that can be extracted from the study of matter distribution in large-scale structure (LSS).The observation of the cosmic distribution of the matter from neutral atomic hydrogen (HI) 21 cm emission is a new method, complementary to the optical observation to map the distribution of matter in the cosmos. In the last decade, the Intensity Mapping method has been proposed as an effective method for mapping the 21cm radio emission in three dimensions. In particular, it does not require the detection of individual objects (galaxies), and can therefore be performed with instruments smaller in size than those such as SKA or FAST, which are designed to detect 21 cm galaxies at cosmological distances. A radio interferometer using a set of fixed cylindrical or parabolic reflectors observing the sky in transit mode are suitable instruments for intensity mapping surveys. The specific observational mode from this type of radio telescope by intensity mapping is studied in the context of this thesis. We show in particular that a specific sky maps reconstruction method from the visibilities can be applied to the observations of these interferometers operating in transit mode. This method corresponds to the m-modes decomposition of the spherical harmonics and is very efficient for the reconstruction of large sky areas observed in transit mode. A reconstruction code based on this principle has been developed, as well as different criteria for the comparison of instrumental performances, such as the synthesized antenna lobe, the noise spectrum of the reconstructed maps and the overall instrument response in the spherical harmonics (l,m) plane. The method has then been applied to different configurations of interferometers composed of parabolic or cylindrical reflectors in the PAON-4 and Tianlai projects. In addition to optimizing the Tianlai and PAON-4 interferometer configurations, the work presented here includes a first application of the method to the PAON-4 data.