A Test for Cosmological Parity Violation Using the 3D Distribution of Galaxies

Abstract

We show that the galaxy 4-Point Correlation Function (4PCF) can test for cosmological parity violation. The detection of cosmological parity violation would reflect previously unknown forces present at the earliest moments of the Universe. Recent developments both in rapidly evaluating galaxy $N$-Point Correlation Functions (NPCFs) and in determining the corresponding covariance matrices make the search for parity violation in the 4PCF possible in current and upcoming surveys such as those undertaken by Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), the $Euclid$ satellite, and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory (VRO).