Improving CMB constraints on early Universe physics with LSS: a multi-probe forecast including cross-covariance

Abstract Extensions to the ΛCDM model prior to recombination can modify the growth of perturbations around radiation-matter equality, leaving a distinct signature in the matter power spectrum. Upcoming large-scale structure surveys will be sensitive to these features, allowing tests of early physics that are complementary to the CMB observations. In this paper, we forecast how well the combination of galaxy clustering, weak lensing and CMB lensing two point statistics, also known as 6 × 2 pt analysis, will tighten constraints on extensions to the ΛCDM model in the early Universe. We find significant improvements, in particular in the case of early dark energy, where the uncertainty on its density parameter could be divided by a factor of 3 to 4 when combining Euclid observables with Simons Observatory or CMB-S4 , compared to using CMB observations alone. Testing for different scale cuts, we find that much of the constraining power comes from the largest scales which are less prone to systematic uncertainties. We take into account the most significant terms in the cross-covariance between large-scale structure tracers and CMB power spectra, which arises from gravitational lensing. Assessing the impact of this additional cross-covariance on the constraints, we find small corrections for most parameters, except for A s and τ where the lensing induced covariance leads to a more significant degradation of constraints. This forecast analysis highlights the potential of combining CMB and galaxy survey data to test the cosmological model. In particular, early Universe physics, relevant before recombination, stands out as a promising area that benefits substantially from this approach.