Cross-correlations of the Lyman-alpha forest with weak lensing convergence I: Analytical Estimates of S/N and Implications for Neutrino Mass and Dark Energy

Understand

We expect a detectable correlation between two seemingly unrelated quantities: the four point function of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) and the amplitude of flux decrements in quasar (QSO) spectra.

• The amplitude of CMB convergence in a given direction measures the projected surface density of matter.
• Measurements of QSO flux decrements trace the small-scale distribution of gas along a given line-of-sight.
• While the cross-correlation between these two measurements is small for a single line-of-sight, upcoming large surveys should enable its detection.