Galaxy Evolution and Star Formation Efficiency at 0.2 < z < 0.6

Details Galaxy Evolution and Star Formation Efficiency at 0.2 < z < 0.6 Galaxy Evolution and Star Formation Efficiency at 0.2 < z < 0.6

2010-09-10

arxiv.org/abs/1009.2040v2

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics

11 pages, 13 figures, accepted in A&A

Scientific paper

We present the results of a CO line survey of 30 galaxies at moderate redshift (z \sim 0.2-0.6), with the IRAM 30m telescope, with the goal to follow galaxy evolution and in particular the star formation efficiency (SFE) as defined by the ratio between far-infrared luminosity and molecular gas mass (LFIR/M(H2)). The sources are selected to be ultra-luminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs), with LFIR larger than 2.8 10^{12} Lsol, experiencing starbursts; adopting a low ULIRG CO-to-H2 conversion factor, their gas consumption time-scale is lower than 10^8 yr. To date only very few CO observations exist in this redshift range that spans nearly 25% of the universe's age. Considerable evolution of the star formation rate is already observed during this period. 18 galaxies out of our sample of 30 are detected (of which 16 are new detections), corresponding to a detection rate of 60%. The average CO luminosity for the 18 galaxies detected is L'CO = 2 10^{10} K km/s pc^2, corresponding to an average H2 mass of 1.6 10^{10} Msol. The FIR luminosity correlates well with the CO luminosity, in agreement with the correlation found for low and high redshift ULIRGs. Although the conversion factor between CO luminosity and H2 mass is uncertain, we find that the maximum amount of gas available for a single galaxy is quickly increasing as a function of redshift. Using the same conversion factor, the SFEs for z\sim 0.2-0.6 ULIRGs are found to be significantly higher, by a factor 3, than for local ULIRGs, and are comparable to high redshift ones. We compare this evolution to the expected cosmic H2 abundance and the cosmic star formation history.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Galaxy Evolution and Star Formation Efficiency at 0.2 < z < 0.6 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 Galaxy Evolution and Star Formation Efficiency at 0.2 < z < 0.6, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Galaxy Evolution and Star Formation Efficiency at 0.2 < z < 0.6 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-672620