Probing the large-scale structure of the universe with correlation functions

Abstract

In this project we explore a new statistical package called KSTAT that computes the 2PCF and higher order correlation functions, such as the 3PCF, on BOSS, making use of high performance computing facilities to improve optimization. The higher order statistics such as the 3PCF can be used to probe primordial non-Gaussianity. We present the first and most precise measurements of the reduced 3PCF (Q) measured using KSTAT on the DR10 data release at higher redshift, DR10 CMASS p z 0:5q and LOWZ p z 0:3q. Our reduced 3PCF results at low redshift z 0:3 are consistent with those of McBride et al. (2011a) at z 0:104 in the SDSS LRG sample. In this initial analysis, we have found no evidence of evolution of the 3PCF on small and large scales, however we do observe the characteristic U shape of the reduced 3PCF as one increases scale