The Angular Correlation Function of SZ Clusters

We calculate the expected angular correlation function of Sunyaev–Zel’dovich (SZ)–detected galaxy clusters and discuss its use as a cosmological probe. As a projection of the real–space cluster correlation function, the angular function samples the underlying SZ cluster redshift distribution. The method proposes a way to increase the immediate scientific return from an SZ survey by studying cosmology and cluster evolution directly with the 2–dimensional catalog, even before exhaustive follow–up observations are performed. As a simple illustration of the information content of the angular function, we examine its dependence on the parameter pair (ΩM, σ8) in flat cosmologies. We discuss sources of modeling uncertainty and consider application to the awaited Planck SZ catalog.