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arXiv · 2103.14655

Lyman-alpha radiation pressure: an analytical exploration

Giovanni Maria Tomaselli·Andrea Ferrara
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Abstract

We study radiation pressure due to Lyman alpha line photons, obtaining and exploring analytical expressions for the force-multiplier, $M_F(N_H, Z) = F_\alpha/(L_\alpha/c)$, as a function of gas column density, $N_H$, and metallicity, $Z$, for both dust-free and dusty media, employing a WKB approach for the latter case. Solutions for frequency offset emission to emulate non-static media moving with a bulk velocity $v$, have also been obtained. We find that, in static media, Ly$\alpha$ pressure dominates over both photoionization and dust-mediated UV radiation pressure in a very wide parameter range ($16 < \log N_H < 23$; $-4 < \log[Z/Z_\odot] < 0$). For example, it overwhelms the other two forces by 10 (300) times in standard (low-$Z$) star-forming clouds. Thus, in agreement with previous studies, we conclude that Ly$\alpha$ pressure plays a dominant role in the initial acceleration of the gas around luminous sources, and must be implemented in galaxy formation, evolution and outflow models and simulations.

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Giovanni Maria Tomaselli, Andrea Ferrara. 2021-03-26. Lyman-alpha radiation pressure: an analytical exploration. https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stab876

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