First Multi-redshift Limits on Post–Epoch of Reionization 21 cm Signal from z = 1.96–3.58 Using uGMRT

Abstract

Measurement of fluctuations in diffuse Hi 21 cm background radiation from the post-reionization epoch (z ≤ 6) is a promising avenue to probe the large-scale structure of the universe and understand the evolution of galaxies. We observe the European Large Area ISO Survey-North 1 (ELAIS-N1) field at 300–500 MHz using the upgraded Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) and employ the "foreground avoidance" technique to estimate the Hi 21 cm power spectrum in the redshift range z = 1.96–3.58. Given the possible systematics that may remain in the data, we find the most stringent upper limits on the spherically averaged 21 cm power spectra at k ∼ 1.0 Mpc−1 are (58.87 mK)2, (61.49 mK)2, (60.89 mK)2, and (105.85 mK)2 at z = 1.96, 2.19, 2.62, and 3.58, respectively. We use this to constrain the product of neutral Hi mass density (ΩHI) and Hi bias (bHI) to the underlying dark matter density field, [ΩHIbHI], as 0.09, 0.11, 0.12, and 0.24 at z = 1.96, 2.19, 2.62, and 3.58, respectively. To the best of our knowledge these are the first limits on the Hi 21 cm power spectra at the redshift range z = 1.96–3.58 and would play a significant role to constrain the models of galaxy formation and evolution.