The Luminosity Function of Lyman-alpha Emitters at the Reionization Epoch: Observations & Theory

Details The Luminosity Function of Lyman-alpha Emitters at the Reionization Epoch: Observations & Theory The Luminosity Function of Lyman-alpha Emitters at the Reionization Epoch: Observations & Theory

Jan 2011

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011aas...21721401t&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #217, #214.01; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 43, 2011

Mathematics

Logic

Scientific paper

Lyman-alpha (Lya) galaxies can be observed at redshift z > 7, and offer an unique probe of cosmological reionization, since the observed number of Lya emitters depends on the degree of ionization of the intergalactic medium. In addition, Lya galaxies at high redshift are a powerful tool to study low-mass galaxy formation.
Here, we present (1) the results of a deep imaging search for z=7.7 Lya emitting galaxies using an ultra narrowband filter (filter width=9A) on the NEWFIRM imager, and (2) a physical model of Lya emitters, which is based on the idea that the Lya luminosity is proportional to the mass accretion rate rather than the total dark matter halo mass. This model can explain many observed physical properties including stellar mass, stellar age, clustering length, and luminosity functions (LF) of Lya emitters from z=3 to z=7.
From our deep narrowband imaging survey, we found four candidate Lya emitters in a survey volume 1.4x104 Mpc3, with a line flux brighter than 6x10-18 erg/s/cm2. If all of the candidates are real z=7.7 Lya galaxies, the observed Lya LF suggests only a modest evolution of the Lya LF from z=6.5 to z=7.7.
Thus, we successfully demonstrate the feasibility of sensitive near-infrared narrowband searches using custom filters designed to avoid OH emission lines that make up most of the sky background. The spectroscopic followup of these Lya candidates is underway.

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