Interferometric HI Intensity Mapping of the Late Time Universe with SKA-Mid

Abstract

We discuss the progress towards using the SKA-Mid for interferometric neutral hydrogen (HI) intensity mapping surveys. By mapping the distribution of cosmic HI distribution through the 21cm line, SKA-Mid will be able to measure the HI power spectrum at small angular separations in interferometric mode. We review the measurements made from the precursor MeerKAT telescope, using the MeerKAT DEEP2 as well as the MIGHTEE survey data, yielding tentative detection as well as upper limits on HI clustering. The methodology for MeerKAT can be naturally extended to SKA-Mid. Forecasts suggest that SKA-Mid AA4 will be able to measure the HI power spectrum with high statistical significance across a wide range of redshifts from $z\sim1.0$ to $z\sim 3.0$, around nonlinear scales $k\sim 1.0\,{\rm Mpc}^{-1}$. The precise measurements can be used to constrain the properties of HI galaxies, providing a novel window into probing galaxy evolution at $1.0\lesssim z \lesssim 3.0$.