Large-Scale Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effect: Measuring Statistical Properties with Multifrequency Maps

We study the prospects for extracting detailed statistical properties of the Sunyaev-Zeldovich (SZ) effect associated with large-scale structure using upcoming multifrequency cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiments. The greatest obstacle to detecting the large-angle signal is the confusion noise provided by the primary anisotropies themselves, and to a lesser degree Galactic and extragalactic foregrounds. We employ multifrequency subtraction techniques and the latest foregrounds models to determine the detection threshold for the Boomerang, Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP; several μK), and Planck CMB (sub-μK) experiments. Calibrating a simplified biased-tracer model of the gas pressure from recent hydrodynamic simulations, we estimate the SZ power spectrum, skewness, and bispectrum through analytic scalings and N-body simulations of the dark matter. We show that the Planck satellite should be able to measure the SZ effect with sufficient precision to determine its power spectrum and higher order correlations, e.g., the skewness and bispectrum. Planck should also be able to detect the cross-correlation between the SZ and gravitational lensing effect in the CMB. Detection of these effects will help determine the properties of the as yet undetected gas, including the manner in which the gas pressure traces the dark matter.