Escape Fraction Of Ionizing Photons Research Articles

Quantifying the Escape of Lyα at z ≈ 5–6: A Census of Lyα Escape Fraction with Hα-emitting Galaxies Spectroscopically Confirmed by JWST and VLT/MUSE

The James Webb Space Telescope provides an unprecedented opportunity for unbiased surveys of Hα-emitting galaxies at z > 4 with the NIRCam's wide-field slitless spectroscopy (WFSS). In this work, we present a census of Lyα escape fraction (f esc,Lyα ) of 165 star-forming galaxies at z = 4.9–6.3, utilizing their Hα emission directly measured from FRESCO NIRCam/WFSS data. We search for Lyα emission of each Hα-emitting galaxy in the Very Large Telescope/MUSE data. The overall f esc,Lyα measured by stacking is 0.090 ± 0.006. We find that f esc,Lyα displays a strong dependence on the observed UV slope (β obs) and E(B − V), such that the bluest galaxies (β obs ∼ −2.5) have the largest escape fractions (f esc,Lyα ≈ 0.6), indicative of the crucial role of dust and gas in modulating the escape of Lyα photons. f esc,Lyα is less well related to other parameters, including the UV luminosity and stellar mass, and the variation in f esc,Lyα with them can be explained by their underlying coupling with E(B − V) or β obs. Our results suggest a tentative decline in f esc,Lyα at z ≳ 5, implying increasing intergalactic medium attenuation toward higher redshift. Furthermore, the dependence of f esc,Lyα on β obs is proportional to that of the ionizing photon escape fraction (f esc,LyC), indicating that the escape of Lyα and ionizing photon may be regulated by similar physical processes. With f esc,Lyα as a proxy to f esc,LyC, we infer that UV-faint (M UV > −16) galaxies contribute >70% of the total ionizing emissivity at z = 5–6. If these relations hold during the epoch of reionization, UV-faint galaxies can contribute the majority of UV photon budget to reionize the Universe.

The UV continuum slopes of early star-forming galaxies in JADES

ABSTRACT The power-law slope of the rest-ultraviolet (UV) continuum (fλ ∝ λβ) is a key metric of early star-forming galaxies, providing one of our only windows into the stellar populations and physical conditions of z ≳ 10 galaxies. Expanding upon previous studies with limited sample sizes, we leverage deep imaging from the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES) to investigate the UV slopes of 179 z ≳ 9 galaxies with apparent magnitudes of mF200W ≃ 26–31, which display a median UV slope of β = −2.4. We compare to a statistical sample of z ≃ 5–9 galaxies, finding a shift towards bluer rest-UV colours at all $M_{\rm UV}$. The most UV-luminous z ≳ 9 galaxies are significantly bluer than their lower redshift counterparts, representing a dearth of moderately red galaxies within the first 500 Myr. At yet earlier times, the z ≳ 11 galaxy population exhibits very blue UV slopes, implying very low impact from dust attenuation. We identify a robust sample of 44 galaxies with β ≲ −2.8, which have spectral energy distributions requiring models of density-bounded H ii regions and median ionizing photon escape fractions of 0.51 to reproduce. Their rest-optical colours imply that this sample has weaker emission lines (median mF356W − mF444W = 0.19 mag) than typical galaxies (median mF356W − mF444W = 0.39 mag), consistent with the inferred escape fractions. This sample consists of relatively low stellar masses (median $\log (M/{\rm M}_{\odot })=7.5\pm 0.2$), and specific star formation rates (sSFRs; median $=79 \, \rm Gyr^{-1}$) nearly twice that of our full galaxy sample (median sSFRs $=44 \, \rm Gyr^{-1}$), suggesting these objects are more common among systems experiencing a recent upturn in star formation. We demonstrate that the shutoff of star formation provides an alternative solution for modelling of extremely blue UV colours, making distinct predictions for the rest-optical emission of these galaxies. Future spectroscopy will be required to distinguish between these physical pictures.

Dark-ages reionization and galaxy formation simulation – XXI. Constraining the evolution of the ionizing escape fraction

ABSTRACT The fraction of ionizing photons that escape their host galaxies to ionize hydrogen in the intergalactic medium (IGM) is a critical parameter in analyses of the reionization era. In this paper, we use the meraxes semi-analytic galaxy formation model to infer the mean ionizing photon escape fraction and its dependence on galaxy properties through joint modelling of the observed high redshift galaxy population and existing constraints on the reionization history. Using a Bayesian framework, and under the assumption that escape fraction is primarily related to halo mass, we find that the joint constraints of the ultraviolet luminosity function, cosmic microwave background optical depth, and the Ly α forest require an escape fraction of $(18\pm 5)$ per cent for galaxies within haloes of M ≲ 109 M⊙ and $(5\pm 2)$ per cent for more massive haloes. In terms of galaxy properties, this transition in escape fraction occurs at stellar masses of M⋆ ∼ 107 M⊙, nearly independent of redshift. As a function of redshift, reionization is dominated by the smaller M⋆ ≲ 107 M⊙ galaxies with high escape fractions at z ≳ 6 and by the larger M⋆ ≳ 107 M⊙ galaxies with lower escape fractions at z ≲ 6. Galaxies with star formation rates of 10−2.5 M⊙yr−1 to 10−1.5 M⊙yr−1 provide the dominant source of ionizing photons throughout reionization. Our results are consistent with recent direct measurements of a $\sim 5~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ escape fraction from massive galaxies at the end of reionization and support the picture of low mass galaxies being the dominant sources of ionizing photons during reionization.

Beorn: a fast and flexible framework to simulate the epoch of reionization and cosmic dawn

ABSTRACT In this study, we introduce beorn (Bubbles during the Epoch of Reionization Numerical Simulator), a publicly available python code that generates three-dimensional maps of the 21-cm signal from the cosmic dawn and the epoch of reionization. Built upon N-body simulation outputs, beorn populates haloes with stars and galaxies based on a flexible source model. It then computes the evolution of Ly α coupling, temperature, and ionization profiles as a function of source properties, and paints these profiles around each source on to a three-dimensional grid. The code consistently deals with the overlap of ionized bubbles by redistributing photons around the bubble boundaries, thereby ensuring photon conservation. It accounts for the redshifting of photons and the source look-back effect for the temperature and Ly α coupling profiles that extend far into the intergalactic medium to scales of order 100 cMpc. We provide a detailed description of the code and compare it to results from the literature. After validation, we run three different benchmark models based on a cosmological N-body simulation. All three models agree with current observations from ultravoilet luminosity functions and estimates of the mean ionization fraction. Due to different assumptions regarding the small-mass stellar-to-halo relation, the X-ray flux emission, and the ionizing photon escape fraction, the models produce unique signatures ranging from a cold reionization with deep absorption trough to an emission-dominated 21-cm signal, broadly encompassing the current uncertainties at cosmic dawn. The code beorn is publicly available at https://github.com/cosmic-reionization/BEoRN.

21cmfish: Fisher-matrix framework for fast parameter forecasts from the cosmic 21-cm signal

ABSTRACT The 21-cm signal from neutral hydrogen in the early universe will provide unprecedented information about the first stars and galaxies. Extracting this information, however, requires accounting for many unknown astrophysical processes. Seminumerical simulations are key for exploring the vast parameter space of said processes. These simulations use approximate techniques such as excursion-set and perturbation theory to model the 3D evolution of the intergalactic medium, at a fraction of the computational cost of hydrodynamic and/or radiative transfer simulations. However, exploring the enormous parameter space of the first galaxies can still be computationally expensive. Here, we introduce 21cmfish , a Fisher-matrix wrapper for the seminumerical simulation 21cmfast . 21cmfish facilitates efficient parameter forecasts, scaling to significantly higher dimensionalities than MCMC approaches, assuming a multivariate Gaussian posterior. Our method produces comparable parameter uncertainty forecasts to previous MCMC analyses but requires ∼104 × fewer simulations. This enables a rapid way to prototype analyses adding new physics and/or additional parameters. We carry out a forecast for HERA using the largest astrophysical parameter space to date, with 10 free parameters, spanning both population II and III star formation. We find X-ray parameters for the first galaxies could be measured to sub-per cent precision, and, though they are highly degenerate, the stellar-to-halo mass relation and ionizing photon escape fraction for population II and III galaxies can be constrained to $\sim 10~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ precision (logarithmic quantities). Using a principal component analysis, we find HERA is most sensitive to the product of the ionizing escape fraction and the stellar-to-halo mass fraction for population II galaxies.

A JWST/NIRCam study of key contributors to reionization: the star-forming and ionizing properties of UV-faint z ∼ 7−8 galaxies

ABSTRACT Spitzer/Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) imaging has revealed that the brightest z ∼ 7−8 galaxies often exhibit young ages and strong nebular line emission, hinting at high ionizing efficiency among early galaxies. However, IRAC’s limited sensitivity has long hindered efforts to study the fainter, more numerous population often thought largely responsible for reionization. Here, we use Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science (CEERS) JWST/NIRCam data to characterize 116 ultraviolet (UV)-faint (median MUV = −19.5) z ∼ 6.5−8 galaxies. The spectral energy distributions are typically dominated by young (∼10–50 Myr), low-mass (M* ∼ 108 M⊙) stellar populations, and we find no need for extremely high stellar masses (∼1011 M⊙). Considering previous studies of UV-bright (MUV ∼ −22) z ∼ 7−8 galaxies, we find evidence for a strong (5–10 times) increase in specific star formation rate (sSFR) toward lower luminosities (median sSFR = 103 Gyr−1 in CEERS). The larger sSFRs imply a more dominant contribution from OB stars in the relatively numerous UV-faint population, perhaps suggesting that these galaxies are very efficient ionizing agents (median ξion = 1025.7 erg−1 Hz). In spite of the much larger sSFRs, we find little increase in [O iii] + H β equivalent widths towards fainter MUV (median ≈780 $\mathrm{\mathring{A}}$). If confirmed, this may indicate that a substantial fraction of our CEERS galaxies possess extremely low metallicities (≲3 per cent Z⊙) where [O iii] emission is suppressed. Alternatively, high ionizing photon escape fractions or bursty star formation histories can also weaken the nebular lines in a subset of our sample. While the majority of galaxies in our sample are very blue (median β = −2.0), we identify a significant tail of very dusty galaxies (β ∼ −1) at ≈0.5$L_\mathrm{UV}^\ast$ which may contribute significantly to the z ∼ 7−8 star formation rate density.

The VANDELS survey: the ionizing properties of star-forming galaxies at 3 ≤ z ≤ 5 using deep rest-frame ultraviolet spectroscopy

ABSTRACT The physical properties of Epoch of Reionization (EoR) galaxies are still poorly constrained by observations. To better understand the ionizing properties of galaxies in the EoR, we investigate deep, rest-frame ultraviolet (UV) spectra of ≃500 star-forming galaxies at 3 ≤ z ≤ 5 selected from the public ESO-VANDELS spectroscopic survey. The absolute ionizing photon escape fraction ($f_{\rm esc}^{\rm abs}$, i.e. the ratio of leaking against produced ionizing photons) is derived by combining absorption line measurements with estimates of the UV attenuation. The ionizing production efficiency (ξion, i.e. the number of ionizing photons produced per non-ionizing UV luminosity) is calculated by fitting the far-UV (FUV) stellar continuum of the VANDELS galaxies. We find that the $f_{\rm esc}^{\rm abs}$ and ξion parameters increase towards low-mass, blue UV-continuum slopes and strong Ly α emitting galaxies, and both are slightly higher-than-average for the UV-faintest galaxies in the sample. Potential Lyman Continuum Emitters (LCEs, $f_{\rm esc}^{\rm abs} \ge 5{{\ \rm \, per\ cent}}$) and selected Lyman Alpha Emitters (LAEs, WLyα ≤ −20 Å) show systematically higher ξion (log ξion(Hz erg−1) ≈ 25.38, 25.41) than non-LCEs and non-LAEs (log ξion(Hz erg−1) ≈ 25.18, 25.14) at similar UV magnitudes. This indicates very young underlying stellar populations (≈10 Myr) at relatively low metallicities (≈0.2 Z⊙). The FUV non-ionizing spectra of potential LCEs is characterized by blue UV slopes (≤−2), enhanced Ly α emission (≤−25 Å), strong UV nebular lines (e.g. high ${\rm C\, \small {IV}}$1550/${\rm C\, \small {III}}$1908 ≥0.75 ratios), and weak absorption lines (≤1 Å). The latter suggests the existence of low gas-column-density channels in the interstellar medium, which enables the escape of ionizing photons. By comparing our VANDELS results against other surveys in the literature, our findings imply that the ionizing budget in the EoR was likely dominated by UV-faint, low-mass, and dustless galaxies.

Understanding the spatial variation of Mg ii and ionizing photon escape in a local LyC leaker

ABSTRACT Ionizing photons must have escaped from high-redshift galaxies, but the neutral high-redshift intergalactic medium makes it unlikely to directly detect these photons during the Epoch of Reionization. Indirect methods of studying ionizing photon escape fractions present a way to infer how the first galaxies may have reionized the Universe. Here, we use HET/LRS2 observations of J0919 + 4906, a confirmed z≈ 0.4 emitter of ionizing photons to achieve spatially resolved (12.5 kpc in diameter) spectroscopy of Mg iiλ2796, Mg iiλ2803, [O ii]λλ3727, 3729, [Ne iii]λ3869, H γ, [O iiI]λ4363, H β, [O iii]λ4959, [O iii]λ5007, and H α. From these data, we measure Mg ii emission, which is a promising indirect tracer of ionizing photons, along with nebular ionization and dust attenuation in multiple spatially resolved apertures. We find that J0919 + 4906 has significant spatial variation in its Mg ii escape and thus ionizing photon escape fraction. Combining our observations with photoionization models, we find that the regions with the largest relative Mg ii emission and Mg ii escape fractions have the highest ionization and lowest dust attenuation. Some regions have an escape fraction that matches that required by models to reionize the early Universe, while other regions do not. We observe a factor of 36 spatial variation in the inferred LyC escape fraction, which is similar to recently observed statistical samples of indirect tracers of ionizing photon escape fractions. These observations suggest that spatial variations in neutral gas properties lead to large variations in the measured LyC escape fractions. Our results suggest that single sightline observations may not trace the volume-averaged escape fraction of ionizing photons.

The synchrony of production and escape: half the bright Lyα emitters at z ≈ 2 have Lyman continuum escape fractions ≈50

ABSTRACT The ionizing photon escape fraction [Lyman continuum (LyC) fesc] of star-forming galaxies is the single greatest unknown in the reionization budget. Stochastic sightline effects prohibit the direct separation of LyC leakers from non-leakers at significant redshifts. Here we circumvent this uncertainty by inferring fesc using resolved (R > 4000) Lyman α (Lyα) profiles from the X-SHOOTER Lyα survey at z = 2 (XLS-z2). With empirically motivated criteria, we use Lyα profiles to select leakers ($f_{\mathrm{ esc}} > 20{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) and non-leakers ($f_{\mathrm{ esc}} < 5{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) from a representative sample of >0.2L* Lyman α emitters (LAEs). We use median stacked spectra of these subsets over λrest ≈ 1000–8000 Å to investigate the conditions for LyC fesc. Our stacks show similar mass, metallicity, MUV, and βUV. We find the following differences between leakers versus non-leakers: (i) strong nebular C iv and He ii emission versus non-detections; (ii) [O iii]/[O ii] ≈ 8.5 versus ≈3; (iii) Hα/Hβ indicating no dust versus E(B − V) ≈ 0.3; (iv) Mg ii emission close to the systemic velocity versus redshifted, optically thick Mg ii; and (v) Lyα fesc of ${\approx} 50{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ versus ${\approx} 10{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$. The extreme equivalent widths (EWs) in leakers ([O iii]+$\mathrm{ H}\beta \approx 1100$ Å rest frame) constrain the characteristic time-scale of LyC escape to ≈3–10 Myr bursts when short-lived stars with the hardest ionizing spectra shine. The defining traits of leakers – extremely ionizing stellar populations, low column densities, a dust-free, high-ionization state interstellar medium (ISM) – occur simultaneously in the $f_{\rm esc} > 20{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ stack, suggesting they are causally connected, and motivating why indicators like [O iii]/[O ii] may suffice to constrain fesc at z > 6 with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The leakers comprise half of our sample, have a median LyC$f_{\rm esc} \approx 50{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ (conservative range: $20\!-\!55{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$), and an ionizing production efficiency $\log ({\xi _{\rm {ion}}/\rm {Hz\ erg^{-1}}})\approx 25.9$ (conservative range: 25.7–25.9). These results show LAEs – the type of galaxies rare at z ≈ 2, but that become the norm at higher redshift – are highly efficient ionizers, with extreme ξion and prolific fesc occurring in sync.

Measuring the properties of reionized bubbles with resolved Lyαspectra

ABSTRACTIdentifying and characterizing reionized bubbles enables us to track both their size distribution, which depends on the primary ionizing sources, and the relationship between reionization and galaxy evolution. We demonstrate that spectrally resolved z ≳ 6 Lyman-alpha (Lyα) emission can constrain properties of reionized regions. Specifically, the distance from a source to a neutral region sets the minimum observable Lyα velocity offset from systemic. Detection of flux on the blue side of the Lyα resonance implies the source resides in a large, sufficiently ionized region that photons can escape without significant resonant absorption, and thus constrains both the sizes of and the residual neutral fractions within ionized bubbles. We estimate the extent of the region around galaxies which is optically thin to blue Lyα photons, analogous to quasar proximity zones, as a function of the source’s ionizing photon output and surrounding gas density. This optically thin region is typically ≲ 0.3 pMpc in radius (allowing transmission of flux ≳ −250 km s−1), ≲ 20 per cent of the distance to the neutral region. In a proof-of-concept, we demonstrate the z ≈ 6.6 galaxy COLA1 – with a blue Lyα peak – likely resides in an ionized region >0.7 pMpc, with residual neutral fraction <10−5.5. To ionize its own proximity zone we infer COLA1 has a high ionizing photon escape fraction (fesc > 0.50), relatively steep UV slope (β < −1.79), and low line-of-sight gas density (∼0.5 times the cosmic mean), suggesting it is a rare, underdense line-of-sight.

No missing photons for reionization: moderate ionizing photon escape fractions from the FIRE-2 simulations

ABSTRACT We present the escape fraction of hydrogen ionizing photons (fesc) from a sample of 34 high-resolution cosmological zoom-in simulations of galaxies at z ≥ 5 in the Feedback in Realistic Environments project, post-processed with a Monte Carlo radiative transfer code for ionizing radiation. Our sample consists of 8500 haloes in Mvir ∼ 108–$10^{12}\, M_{\odot }$ (M* ∼ 104–$10^{10}\, M_{\odot }$) at z = 5–12. We find the sample average 〈fesc〉increases with halo mass for Mvir ∼ 108–$10^{9.5}\, M_{\odot }$, becomes nearly constant for 109.5–$10^{11}\, M_{\odot }$, and decreases at ${\gtrsim}10^{11}\, M_{\odot }$. Equivalently, 〈fesc〉 increases with stellar mass up to $M_{\ast }\sim 10^8\, M_{\odot }$ and decreases at higher masses. Even applying single-star stellar population synthesis models, we find a moderate 〈fesc〉 ∼ 0.2 for galaxies at $M_{\ast }\sim 10^8\, M_{\odot }$. Nearly half of the escaped ionizing photons come from stars 1–3 Myr old and the rest from stars 3–10 Myr old. Binaries only have a modest effect, boosting 〈fesc〉 by ∼25–35 per cent and the number of escaped photons by 60–80 per cent. Most leaked ionizing photons are from vigorously star-forming regions that usually contain a feedback-driven kpc-scale superbubble surrounded by a dense shell. The shell is forming stars while accelerated, so new stars formed earlier in the shell are already inside the shell. Young stars in the bubble and near the edge of the shell can fully ionize some low-column-density paths pre-cleared by feedback, allowing a large fraction of their ionizing photons to escape. The decrease of 〈fesc〉 at the high-mass end is due to dust attenuation, while at the low-mass end, 〈fesc〉 decreases owing to inefficient star formation and hence feedback. At fixed mass, 〈fesc〉 tends to increase with redshift. Although the absolute 〈fesc〉does not fully converge with resolution in our simulations, the mass- and redshift-dependence of 〈fesc〉 is likely robust. Our simulations produce sufficient ionizing photons for cosmic reionization.

Diffuse Ionized Gas in Simulations of Multiphase, Star-forming Galactic Disks

Abstract It has been hypothesized that photons from young, massive star clusters are responsible for maintaining the ionization of diffuse warm ionized gas seen in both the Milky Way and other disk galaxies. For a theoretical investigation of the warm ionized medium (WIM), it is crucial to solve radiation-transfer equations where the interstellar medium (ISM) and clusters are modeled self-consistently. To this end, we employ a solar neighborhood model of Three-phase Interstellar Medium in Galaxies Resolving Evolution with Star Formation and Supernova Feedback (TIGRESS), a magnetohydrodynamic simulation of the multiphase, star-forming ISM, and post-process the simulation with an adaptive ray tracing method to transfer UV radiation from star clusters. We find that the WIM volume filling factor is highly variable, and sensitive to the rate of ionizing photon production and ISM structure. The mean WIM volume filling factor rises to ∼0.15 at . Approximately half of ionizing photons are absorbed by gas and half by dust; the cumulative ionizing photon escape fraction is 1.1%. Our time-averaged synthetic line profile matches Wisconsin Mapper observations on the redshifted (outflowing) side, but has insufficient intensity on the blueshifted side. Our simulation matches the Dickey–Lockman neutral density profile well, but only a small fraction of snapshots have high-altitude WIM density consistent with Reynolds Layer estimates. We compute a clumping correction factor that is remarkably constant with distance from the midplane and time; this can be used to improve estimates of ionized gas mass and mean electron density from observed surface brightness profiles in edge-on galaxies.

Outflows and extended [C ii] haloes in high-redshift galaxies

ABSTRACT Recent stacked ALMA observations have revealed that normal, star-forming galaxies at z ≈ 6 are surrounded by extended (≈10 kpc) [C ii]-emitting haloes, which are not predicted by the most advanced, zoom-in simulations. We present a model in which these haloes are the result of supernova-driven cooling outflows. Our model contains two free parameters, the outflow mass loading factor, η, and the parent galaxy dark matter halo circular velocity, vc. The outflow model successfully matches the observed [C ii] surface brightness profile if η = 3.20 ± 0.10 and $v_{\rm c} = 170 \pm 10 \, \rm km\, s^{-1}$, corresponding to a dynamical mass of ${\approx }10^{11}\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$. The predicted outflow rate and velocity range are $128 \pm 5\, {\rm M}_{\odot }\, {\rm yr}^{-1}$ and 300–500 $\, \rm km\, s^{-1}$, respectively. We conclude that (a) extended haloes can be produced by cooling outflows; (b) the large η value is marginally consistent with starburst-driven outflows, but it might indicate additional energy input from active galactic nuclei; and (c) the presence of [C ii] haloes requires an ionizing photon escape fraction from galaxies fesc ≪ 1. The model can be readily applied also to individual high-z galaxies, as those observed, e.g. by the ALMA ALPINE survey now becoming available.

Rapid Reionization by the Oligarchs: The Case for Massive, UV-bright, Star-forming Galaxies with High Escape Fractions

Abstract The protagonists of the last great phase transition of the universe—cosmic reionization—remain elusive. Faint star-forming galaxies are leading candidates because they are found to be numerous and may have significant ionizing photon escape fractions ( ). Here we update this picture via an empirical model that successfully predicts latest observations (e.g., the rapid drop in star-formation density ( at ). We generate an ionizing spectrum for each galaxy in our model and constrain by leveraging latest measurements of the reionization timeline (e.g., Lyα damping of quasars and galaxies at z > 7). Assuming a constant across all sources at z > 6, we find < −13.5 galaxies need = to complete reionization. The inferred Intergalactic Medium neutral fraction is [0.9, 0.5, 0.1] at —that is, the bulk of reionization transpires rapidly in 300 Myr, driven by the z > 8 ρ SFR and favored by high neutral fractions (∼60%–90%) measured at z ∼ 7–8. Inspired by the emergent sample of Lyman Continuum (LyC) leakers spanning z ∼ 0–6.6 that overwhelmingly displays higher-than-average star-formation surface density ( ), we propose a physically motivated model relating to and find . Since falls by ∼2.5 dex between z = 8 and z = 0, our model explains the humble upper limits on at lower redshifts and its required evolution to ∼ 0.2 at z > 6. Within this model, strikingly, <5% of galaxies with < −18 and log(M ⋆/M ⊙) > 8 (the “oligarchs”) account for ≳80% of the reionization budget—a stark departure from the canonical “democratic” reionization led by copious faint sources. In fact, faint sources ( > −16) must be relegated to a limited role in order to ensure high neutral fractions at z = 7–8. Shallow faint-end slopes of the UV luminosity function ( > −2) and/or distributions skewed toward massive galaxies produce the required late and rapid reionization. We predict that LyC leakers like COLA1 (z = 6.6, ∼ 30%, = −21.5) will become increasingly common toward z ∼ 6 and that the drivers of reionization do not lie hidden across the faint end of the luminosity function but are already known to us.

Model-independent constraints on the hydrogen-ionizing emissivity at z > 6

ABSTRACT Modelling reionization often requires significant assumptions about the properties of ionizing sources. Here, we infer the total output of hydrogen-ionizing photons (the ionizing emissivity, $\dot{N}_\textrm {ion}$) at z = 4–14 from current reionization constraints, being maximally agnostic to the properties of ionizing sources. We use a Bayesian analysis to fit for a non-parametric form of $\dot{N}_\textrm {ion}$, allowing us to flexibly explore the entire prior volume. We infer a declining $\dot{N}_\textrm {ion}$ with redshift at z > 6, which can be used as a benchmark for reionization models. Model-independent reionization constraints from the cosmic microwave background (CMB) optical depth and Ly α and Ly β forest dark pixel fraction produce $\dot{N}_\textrm {ion}$ evolution ($\mathrm{ d}\log _{10}\dot{\mathbf {N}}_{\bf ion}/\mathrm{ d}z|_{z=6\rightarrow 8} = -0.31\pm 0.35$ dex) consistent with the declining UV luminosity density of galaxies, assuming constant ionizing photon escape fraction and efficiency. Including measurements from Ly α damping of galaxies and quasars produces a more rapid decline: $\mathrm{ d}\log _{10}\dot{\mathbf {N}}_{\bf ion}/\mathrm{ d}z|_{z=6\rightarrow 8} =-0.44\pm 0.22$ dex, steeper than the declining galaxy luminosity density (if extrapolated beyond $M_\rm{\small UV}\gtrsim -13$), and constrains the mid-point of reionization to z = 6.93 ± 0.14.

Conditions for Reionizing the Universe with a Low Galaxy Ionizing Photon Escape Fraction

Abstract We explore scenarios for reionizing the intergalactic medium with low galaxy ionizing photon escape fractions. We combine simulation-based halo mass–dependent escape fractions with an extrapolation of the observed galaxy rest-ultraviolet luminosity functions to solve for the reionization history from z = . We explore the posterior distributions for key unknown quantities, including the limiting halo mass for star formation, the ionizing photon production efficiency, and a potential contribution from active galactic nuclei (AGNs). We marginalize over the allowable parameter space using a Markov chain Monte Carlo method, finding a solution that satisfies the most model-independent constraints on reionization. Our fiducial model can match observational constraints with an average escape fraction of <5% throughout the bulk of the epoch of reionization if (i) galaxies form stars down to the atomic cooling limit before reionization and a photosuppression mass of log(M h/M ⊙) ∼ 9 during/after reionization (−13 < M UV,lim < −11), (ii) galaxies become more efficient producers of ionizing photons at higher redshifts and fainter magnitudes, and (iii) there is a significant but subdominant contribution by AGNs at z ≲ 7. In this model, the faintest galaxies (M UV > −15) dominate the ionizing emissivity, leading to an earlier start to reionization and a smoother evolution of the ionized volume-filling fraction than models that assume a single escape fraction at all redshifts and luminosities. The ionizing emissivity from this model is consistent with observations at z = 4–5 (and below, when extrapolated), in contrast to some models that assume a single escape fraction. Our predicted ionized volume-filling fraction at z = 7 of = 78% (±8%) is in modest (∼1σ–2σ) tension with observations of Lyα emitters at z ∼ 7 and the damping-wing analyses of the two known z > 7 quasars, which prefer ∼ 40%–50%.

Inferences on the timeline of reionization at z ∼ 8 from the KMOS Lens-Amplified Spectroscopic Survey

Abstract Detections and non-detections of Lyman alpha (Lyα) emission from z > 6 galaxies (<1 Gyr after the big bang) can be used to measure the timeline of cosmic reionization. Of key interest to measuring reionization’s mid-stages, but also increasing observational challenge, are observations at z > 7, where Lyα redshifts to near infra-red wavelengths. Here we present a search for z > 7.2 Lyα emission in 53 intrinsically faint Lyman Break Galaxy candidates, gravitationally lensed by massive galaxy clusters, in the KMOS Lens-Amplified Spectroscopic Survey (KLASS). With integration times of ∼7–10 h, we detect no Lyα emission with signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) > 5 in our sample. We determine our observations to be 80 per cent complete for 5σ spatially and spectrally unresolved emission lines with integrated line flux >5.7 × 10−18 erg s−1 cm−2. We define a photometrically selected sub-sample of 29 targets at z = 7.9 ± 0.6, with a median 5σ Lyα EW limit of 58 Å. We perform a Bayesian inference of the average intergalactic medium (IGM) neutral hydrogen fraction using their spectra. Our inference accounts for the wavelength sensitivity and incomplete redshift coverage of our observations, and the photometric redshift probability distribution of each target. These observations, combined with samples from the literature, enable us to place a lower limit on the average IGM neutral hydrogen fraction of $\gt 0.76 \,\, (68{{\ \rm per\ cent}}), \,\, \gt 0.46 \,\, (95{{\ \rm per\ cent}})$ at z ∼ 8, providing further evidence of rapid reionization at z ∼ 6–8. We show that this is consistent with reionization history models extending the galaxy luminosity function to $M_ \rm {\small UV}\lesssim -12$, with low ionizing photon escape fractions, $f_\textrm{esc} \lesssim 15{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$.

HDUV: The Hubble Deep UV Legacy Survey

We present the Hubble Deep UV Legacy Survey (HDUV), a 132 orbit imaging program with the WFC3/UVIS camera onboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The HDUV extends and builds on the few previous UV imaging surveys in the two GOODS/CANDELS-Deep fields to provide deep images over a total area of ~100 arcmin2 in the two filters F275W and F336W. Our release also includes all the F275W imaging data taken by the CANDELS survey, which were aligned using a novel approach and combined with the HDUV survey data. By reaching depths of 27.5-28.0 mag (5sigma, in 0.4" apertures), these are the deepest high-resolution UV data over such a large area taken to date. Such unique UV imaging enables a wide range of science by the community. Among the main goals of the HDUV survey are: (1) provide a complete sample of faint star-forming galaxies at z~1-3, (2) constrain the ionizing photon escape fraction from galaxies at z~2-3, and (3) track the build-up of bulges and the disappearance of clumpy disk galaxies through reliable internal stellar population properties at sub-kpc resolution out to z~3. The addition of the HDUV data further enhances the legacy value of the two GOODS/CANDELS-Deep fields, which now include deep 11-band HST imaging as well as very deep ancillary data from X-ray to radio, enabling unique multi-wavelength studies. Here, we provide an overview of the survey design, describe the data reduction, and highlight a few basic analyses on the images which are released to the community as high level science products via the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST).

The HDUV Survey: Six Lyman Continuum Emitter Candidates at z ∼ 2 Revealed by HST UV Imaging*

Abstract We present six galaxies at that show evidence of Lyman continuum (LyC) emission based on the newly acquired UV imaging of the Hubble Deep UV legacy survey (HDUV) conducted with the WFC3/UVIS camera on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). At the redshift of these sources, the HDUV F275W images partially probe the ionizing continuum. By exploiting the HST multiwavelength data available in the HDUV/GOODS fields, models of the UV spectral energy distributions, and detailed Monte Carlo simulations of the intergalactic medium absorption, we estimate the absolute ionizing photon escape fractions of these galaxies to be very high—typically ( for all sources at 90% likelihood). Our findings are in broad agreement with previous studies that found only a small fraction of galaxies with high escape fraction. These six galaxies compose the largest sample yet of LyC leaking candidates at whose inferred LyC flux has been observed at HST resolution. While three of our six candidates show evidence of hosting an active galactic nucleus, two of these are heavily obscured and their LyC emission appears to originate from star-forming regions rather than the central nucleus. Extensive multiwavelength data in the GOODS fields, especially the near-IR grism spectra from the 3D-HST survey, enable us to study the candidates in detail and tentatively test some recently proposed indirect methods to probe LyC leakage. High-resolution spectroscopic follow-up of our candidates will help constrain such indirect methods, which are our only hope of studying f esc at in the JWST era.

Reionization and Galaxy Formation in Warm Dark Matter Cosmologies

We compare model results from a semi-analytic (merger-tree based) framework for high-redshift (z ~ 5-20) galaxy formation against reionization indicators, including the Planck electron scattering optical depth and the ionizing photon emissivity, to shed light on the reionization history and sources in Cold (CDM) and Warm Dark Matter (WDM; particle masses of $m_x = 1.5,3$ and 5 keV) cosmologies. This model includes all the key processes of star formation, supernova feedback, the merger/accretion/ejection driven evolution of gas and stellar mass and the effect of the ultra-violet background (UVB) in photo-evaporating the gas content of low-mass galaxies. We find that the delay in the start of reionization in light (1.5 keV) WDM models can be compensated by a steeper redshift evolution of the ionizing photon escape fraction and a faster mass assembly, resulting in reionization ending at comparable redshifts (z~5.5) in all the DM models considered. We find the bulk of the reionization photons come from galaxies with a halo mass $M_h < 10^9 M_\odot$ and a UV magnitude $ -15 < M_{UV} < -10$ in CDM. The progressive suppression of low-mass halos with decreasing $m_x$ leads to a shift in the reionization population to larger halo masses of $M_h > 10^9 M_\odot$ and $ -17 < M_{UV} < -13$ for 1.5 keV WDM. We find that current observations of the electron scattering optical depth and the Ultra-violet luminosity function are equally compatible with all the (cold and warm) DM models considered in this work. We propose that global indicators including the redshift evolution of the stellar mass density and the stellar mass-halo mass relation, observable with the James Webb Space Telescope, can be used to distinguish between CDM and WDM (1.5 keV) cosmologies.