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A quantitative approach to the topology of large-scale structureA quantitative measure of the topology of large-scale structure: the genus of density contours in a smoothed density distribution, is described and applied. For random phase (Gaussian) density fields, the mean genus per unit volume exhibits a universal dependence on threshold density, with a normalizing factor that can be calculated from the power spectrum. If large-scale structure formed from the gravitational instability of small-amplitude density fluctuations, the topology observed today on suitable scales should follow the topology in the initial conditions. The technique is illustrated by applying it to simulations of galaxy clustering in a flat universe dominated by cold dark matter. The technique is also applied to a volume-limited sample of the CfA redshift survey and to a model in which galaxies reside on the surfaces of polyhedral 'bubbles'. The topology of the evolved mass distribution and 'biased' galaxy distribution in the cold dark matter models closely matches the topology of the density fluctuations in the initial conditions. The topology of the observational sample is consistent with the random phase, cold dark matter model.
Document ID
19870062552
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Gott, J. Richard, III
(Princeton Univ. Observatory NJ, United States)
Weinberg, David H.
(Princeton University Observatory, NJ, United States)
Melott, Adrian L.
(Kansas, University Lawrence, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1987
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 319
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
87A49826
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF AST-83-13128
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF AST-86-13897
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-765
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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