A Lower Limit to the Universal Density of Metals at z \sim 3

Details A Lower Limit to the Universal Density of Metals at z \sim 3 A Lower Limit to the Universal Density of Metals at z \sim 3

1997-09-05

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9709046v1

Astrophys. J. 490 (1997) L1-L4

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

12 pages LaTeX (aaspp4.sty) with 3 encapsulated postscript figures. To be published in ApJ Letters (accepted September 3, 1997

Scientific paper

10.1086/311006

Column density distribution functions of CIV with 12.05 < log (N) < 14.35 and SiIV with 11.70 < log (N) < 13.93 have been obtained using 81 CIV absorbers and 35 SiIV absorbers redward of the Ly alpha forest in the lines of sight to seven quasars with 2.518 < z(em) < 3.78. These distribution functions have been directly integrated to yield ion densities at z = 3 to 3.5 of Omega(CIV) = (2.0 \pm 0.5) x 10(-8) and Omega(SiIV) = (7.0 \pm 2.6) x 10(-9) with H0 = 65 km/s/Mpc and q0 = 0.02 (1 sigma errors). A larger sample of 11 quasar lines of sight was used to measure CII/CIV, SiIII/SiIV, and NV/CIV ratios, which suggest that CIV and SiIV are the dominant ionization stages and that corrections to Omega(Carbon) and Omega(Silicon) are no more than a factor of two. Normalizing the alpha-process elements to silicon and the Fe-coproduction elements to carbon gives a density of heavy elements in these forest clouds of Omega(metals) = (3.3 \pm 0.8) x 10(-7) (H0 = 65, q0 = 0.02). The implications for the amount of star formation and for the ionization of the IGM prior to z = 3 are discussed.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

A Lower Limit to the Universal Density of Metals at z \sim 3 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with A Lower Limit to the Universal Density of Metals at z \sim 3, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A Lower Limit to the Universal Density of Metals at z \sim 3 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-10827