Direction-dependent Effects on Global 21 cm Detection

Abstract Cosmic dawn represents a critical juncture in cosmic history when the first population of stars emerged. The astrophysical processes that govern this transformation need to be better understood. The detection of redshifted 21 cm radiation emitted from neutral hydrogen during this era offers a direct window into the thermal and ionization state of the Universe. This emission manifests as differential brightness between spin temperature and the cosmic microwave background. The SARAS experiment aims to detect the sky-averaged signal in the frequency range 40–200 MHz. SARAS’s unique design and operational strategy to float the antenna over a water body minimizes spectral features that may arise due to stratified ground beneath the antenna. However, the antenna environment can be prone to configuration changes due to variations in critical design parameters such as conductivity and antenna tilt. In this paper, we connect the variations in antenna properties to signal detection prospects. By using realistic simulations of a direction- and frequency-dependent radiation pattern of the SARAS antenna and its transfer function, we establish critical parameters and estimate bias in the detectability of different models of the global 21 cm signal. We find a correlation between the nature of chromaticity in antenna properties and the bias in the recovered spectral profiles of 21 cm signals. We also find stringent requirements for transfer function corrections, which can otherwise make detection prospects prohibitive. We finally explore a range of critical parameters that allow robust signal detection.