ABSTRACT. We consider the description of the clustering of halos for physically motivated types of non-Gaussian initial conditions. In particular, we include non-Gaussianity of the type arising from single-field slow roll, multifields, curvaton (local type), higher-order derivative type (equilateral), vacuum-state modifications (enfolded type), and horizon-scale GR corrections type. We show that large-scale halo bias is a very sensitive tool for probing non-Gaussianity, potentially leading, for some planned surveys, to a detection of non-Gaussianity arising from horizon-scale GR corrections. In tandem with cosmic microwave background constraints, the halo bias approach can help enormously to discriminate among different shapes of non-Gaussianity and thus among models for the origin of cosmological perturbations.

Key words: galaxies: clusters: general; galaxies: halos; large-scale structure of universe

Print publication: Issue 1 (2009 November 20)
Received 2009 September 21, accepted for publication 2009 October 14
Published 2009 November 2