Constraining the CO intensity mapping power spectrum at intermediate redshifts

We compile available constraints on the carbon monoxide (CO) 1-0 luminosity functions and abundances at redshifts 0-3. This is used to develop a data driven halo model for the evolution of the CO galaxy abundances and clustering across intermediate redshifts. It is found that the recent constraints from the CO Power Spectrum Survey (z 3; Keating et al. 2016), when combined with existing observations of local galaxies (z 0; Keres et al. 2003), lead to predictions which are consistent with the results of smaller surveys at intermediate redshifts (z 1-2). We provide convenient fitting forms for the evolution of the CO luminosity - halo mass relation, and estimates of the mean and uncertainties in the CO power spectrum in the context of future intensity mapping experiments.