Using the cluster mass function from weak lensing to constrain neutrino masses

Abstract

We discuss the variation of cosmological upper bounds on $M_\nu$, the sum of the neutrino masses, with the choice of data sets included in the analysis, pointing out a few oddities not easily seen when all data sets are combined. For example, the effect of applying different priors varies significantly depending on whether we use the power spectrum from the 2dFGRS or SDSS galaxy survey. A conservative neutrino mass limit of $M_\nu < 1.43$eV (95%C.L.) is obtained by combining the WMAP 3 year data with the cluster mass function measured by weak gravitational lensing. This limit has the virtue of not making any assumptions about the bias of luminous matter with respect to the dark matter, and is in this sense (and this sense only) bias-free.