Constraining Quasar and IGM Properties Through Bubble Detection in
  Redshifted 21-cm Maps
  The infrared detection of a z>7 quasar has opened up a new window to directly
probe the IGM during the epoch of reionization. In this paper we theoretically
consider the possibility of detecting the ionized bubble around a z=8 quasar
using targeted redshifted 21-cm observations with the GMRT. The apparent shape
and size of the ionized bubble, as seen by a distant observer, depends on the
parameters \dot{N}_{phs}/C, x_HI/C and \tau_Q where \dot{N}_{phs}, \tau_Q, x_HI
and C are respectively the photon emission rate, age of the quasar, the neutral
fraction and clumping factor of the IGM.Here we have analytically estimated the
shape and size of a quasar's ionized bubble assuming an uniform IGM and
ignoring other ionizing sources besides the quasar, and used this as a template
for matched filter bubble search with the GMRT visibility data. We have assumed
that \dot{N}_{phs} is known from the infrared spectrum and C from theoretical
considerations, which gives us two free parameters x_HI and \tau_Q for bubble.
Considering 1,000 hr of observation, we find that there is a reasonably large
region of parameter space where a 3\sigma detection is possible. We also find
that it will be possible to place lower limits on x_HI and \tau_Q with this
observation. Deeper follow up observations can place upper limits on \tau_Q and
x_HI. Value of C affect the estimation of x_HI but the estimation of \tau_Q
remains unaffected.We have used a semi-numerical technique to simulate the
apparent shape and size of quasar ionized bubbles considering the presence of
other ionizing sources and inhomogeneities in the IGM. The presence of other
sources increase the size of the quasar bubble, leading to underestimation of
x_HI. Clustering of other ionizing sources around the quasar can produce severe
distortions in bubble's shape. However, this does not severely affect parameter
estimation in the bubbles that are large.
