The impact of Lyman series photons on the intergalactic medium during the Epoch of Reionization

Details The impact of Lyman series photons on the intergalactic medium during the Epoch of Reionization The impact of Lyman series photons on the intergalactic medium during the Epoch of Reionization

Mar 2010

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010mnras.402.1780m&link_type=abstract

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 402, Issue 3, pp. 1780-1795.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

3

Atomic Processes, Line: Formation, Radiative Transfer, Scattering, Cosmology: Theory, Radio Lines: General

Scientific paper

The role of higher order Lyman series photons in the 21cm absorption or emission signature of the intergalactic medium (IGM) against the background cosmic microwave background (CMB) during the Epoch of Reionization is examined. It is shown that, taking into account the diminishing resonance line scattering cross-section with increasing Lyman order, a non-negligible net scattering rate of higher order Lyman photons is expected. The resulting radiative cascades will substantially enhance the number density of Lyα photons near a radiation source. It is also shown that the higher order Lyman series photons are able to collisionally heat the IGM by amounts of tens to hundreds of degrees kelvin. The possibility that the Wouthuysen-Field effect may be suppressed by the presence of dust near a galaxy is discussed, and it is shown that the higher order Lyman series photons would still induce the effect, but with a somewhat reduced 21cm radiation efficiency. It is also demonstrated that extended low surface brightness emission-line haloes will be produced from radiative cascades following the scattering of higher order Lyman series photons. These haloes would provide a unique means of confirming that reionization source candidates were surrounded by an IGM that was still largely neutral on large scales.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The impact of Lyman series photons on the intergalactic medium during the Epoch of Reionization 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 The impact of Lyman series photons on the intergalactic medium during the Epoch of Reionization, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The impact of Lyman series photons on the intergalactic medium during the Epoch of Reionization will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1211833