arXiv subjects

A. M. Swinbank

Publications and source records attributed to A. M. Swinbank.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Dusty starbursts and the formation of elliptical galaxies: A SCUBA-2 survey of a z=1.46 cluster

We report the results of a deep SCUBA-2 850- and 450-$μ$m survey for dust-obscured ultra-luminous infrared galaxies (U/LIRGs) in the field of the z=1.46 cluster XCS J2215.9-1738. We detect a striking overdensity of sub-millimeter sources coincident with the core of this cluster: $\sim 3-4 \times$ higher than expected in a blank field. We use the likely radio and mid-infrared counterparts to show that the bulk of these sub-millimeter sources have spectroscopic or photometric redshifts which place them in the cluster and that their multi-wavelength properties are consistent with this association. The average far-infrared luminosities of these galaxies are $(1.0\pm0.1) \times 10^{12} L_{\odot}$, placing them on the U/LIRG boundary. Using the total star formation occurring in the obscured U/LIRG population within the cluster we show that the resulting mass-normalized star-formation rate for this system supports previous claims of a rapid increase in star-formation activity in cluster cores out to $z\sim1.5$, which must be associated with the on-going formation of the early-type galaxies which reside in massive clusters today.

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arXiv2015

Resolved spectroscopy of gravitationally lensed galaxies: global dynamics and star-forming clumps on ~100pc scales

We present adaptive optics-assisted integral field spectroscopy around the Ha or Hb lines of 12 gravitationally lensed galaxies obtained with VLT/SINFONI, Keck/OSIRIS and Gemini/NIFS. We combine these data with previous observations and investigate the dynamics and star formation properties of 17 lensed galaxies at z = 1-4. Thanks to gravitational magnification of 1.4 - 90x by foreground clusters, effective spatial resolutions of 40 - 700 pc are achieved. The magnification also allows us to probe lower star formation rates and stellar masses than unlensed samples; our target galaxies feature dust-corrected SFRs derived from Ha or Hb emission of 0.8 - 40Msol/yr, and stellar masses M* ~ 4e8 - 6e10 Msol. All of the galaxies have velocity gradients, with 59% consistent with being rotating discs and a likely merger fraction of 29%, with the remaining 12% classed as 'undetermined.' We extract 50 star-forming clumps with sizes in the range 60pc - 1kpc from the Ha (or Hb) maps, and find that their surface brightnesses and their characteristic luminosities evolve to higher luminosities with redshift. We show that this evolution can be described by fragmentation on larger scales in gas-rich discs, and is likely to be driven by evolving gas fractions.

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arXiv2015

Molecular gas content in strongly-lensed z~1.5-3 star-forming galaxies with low IR luminosities

To extend the molecular gas measurements to typical star-forming galaxies (SFGs) with SFR < 40 Msun yr^{-1} and M* < 2.5x10^{10} Msun at z~1.5-3, we have observed CO emission with the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer and 30m telescope for five strongly-lensed galaxies selected from the Herschel Lensing Survey. These observations are combined with a compilation of CO measurements from the literature. We infer the luminosity correction factors r2,1 = 0.81+/-0.20 and r3,1 = 0.57+/-0.15 for the J=2 and J=3 CO transitions, respectively, valid for SFGs at z>1. The combined sample of CO-detected SFGs at z>1 shows a large spread in star formation efficiency (SFE), such that SFE extend beyond the low values of local spirals and overlap the distribution of z>1 sub-mm galaxies. We find that the spread in SFE (or equivalently in molecular gas depletion timescale) is due to primarily the specific star formation rate, but also stellar mass and redshift. Correlations of SFE with the offset from the main-sequence and the compactness of the starburst are less clear. The increase of the molecular gas depletion timescale with M* now revealed by low M* SFGs at z>1 and observed at z=0 is in contrast to the admitted constant molecular gas depletion timescale and the linear Kennicutt-Schmidt relation. We confirm an increase of the molecular gas fraction (fgas) from z~0.2 to z~1.2, followed by a very mild increase toward higher redshifts. At each redshift fgas shows a large dispersion due to the dependence of fgas on M*, producing a gradient of increasing fgas with decreasing M*. We provide the first measure of fgas of z>1 SFGs at the low-M* end (10^{9.4} < M*/Msun < 10^{9.9}), reaching a mean fgas = 0.69+/-0.18, which shows a clear fgas upturn. Finally, we find evidence for a non-universal dust-to-gas ratio among high-redshift SFGs and sub-mm galaxies, local spirals and ULIRGs with near-solar metallicities.

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arXiv2015

Tracing cool molecular gas and star formation on $\sim 100$pc scales within a $z=2.3$ galaxy

We present new, high-angular resolution interferometric observations with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array of $^{12}$CO $J=1-0$ line emission and 4-8 GHz continuum emission in the strongly lensed, $z=2.3$ submillimetre galaxy, SMM J21352-0102. Using these data, we identify and probe the conditions in $\sim 100$pc clumps within this galaxy, which we consider to be potential giant molecular cloud complexes, containing up to half of the total molecular gas in this system. In combination with far-infrared and submillimetre data, we investigate the far-infrared/radio correlation, measuring $q_{IR} = 2.39 \pm 0.17$ across SMM J21352. We search for variations in the properties of the interstellar medium throughout the galaxy by measuring the spatially-resolved $q_{IR}$ and radio spectral index, $α_{\rm radio}$, finding ranges $q_{IR} = [2.1, 2.6]$ and $α_{\rm radio} = [-1.5, -0.7]$. We argue that these ranges in $α_{\rm radio}$ and $q_{IR}$ may reflect variations in the age of the ISM material. Using multi-$J$ $^{12}$CO data, we quantitatively test a recent theoretical model relating the star-formation rate surface density to the excitation of $^{12}$CO, finding good agreement between the model and the data. Lastly, we study the Schmidt-Kennicutt relation, both integrated across the system and within the individual clumps. We find small offsets between SMM J21352 and its clumps relative to other star-forming galaxy populations on the Schmidt-Kennicutt plot - such offsets have previously been interpreted as evidence for a bi-modal star-formation law, but we argue that they can be equally-well explained as arising due to a combination of observational uncertainties and systematic biases in the choice of model used to interpret the data.

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arXiv2015

Storm in a "Teacup": a radio-quiet quasar with ~10kpc radio-emitting bubbles and extreme gas kinematics

We present multi-frequency (1-8 GHz) VLA data, combined with VIMOS IFU data and HST imaging, of a z=0.085 radio-quiet type 2 quasar (with L(1.4GHz)~5e23 W/Hz and L(AGN)~2e45 erg/s). Due to the morphology of its emission-line region, the target (J1430+1339) has been referred to as the Teacup AGN in the literature. We identify "bubbles" of radio emission that are extended ~10-12 kpc to both the east and west of the nucleus. The edge of the brighter eastern bubble is co-spatial with an arc of luminous ionized gas. We also show that the Teacup AGN hosts a compact radio structure, located ~0.8 kpc from the core position, at the base of the eastern bubble. This radio structure is co-spatial with an ionized outflow with an observed velocity of v=-740 km/s. This is likely to correspond to a jet, or possibly a quasar wind, interacting with the interstellar medium at this position. The large-scale radio bubbles appear to be inflated by the central AGN, which indicates that the AGN can also interact with the gas on >~10 kpc scales. Our study highlights that even when a quasar is formally "radio-quiet" the radio emission can be extremely effective for observing the effects of AGN feedback.

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arXiv2014

An ALMA Survey of Submillimeter Galaxies in the Extended Chandra Deep Field South: Near-infrared morphologies and stellar sizes

We analyse HST WFC3/$H_{160}$-band observations of a sample of 48 ALMA-detected submillimeter galaxies (SMGs) in the Extended Chandra Deep Field South field, to study their stellar morphologies and sizes. We detect 79$\pm$17% of the SMGs in the $H_{160}$-band imaging with a median sensitivity of 27.8 mag, and most (80%) of the non-detections are SMGs with 870$μ$m fluxes of $S_{870} < $3 mJy. With a surface brightness limit of $μ_H \sim $26 mag arcsec$^{-2}$, we find that 82$\pm$9% of the $H_{160}$-band detected SMGs at $z =$ 1-3 appear to have disturbed morphologies, meaning they are visually classified as either irregulars or interacting systems, or both. By determining a Sérsic fit to the $H_{160}$ surface-brightness profiles we derive a median Sérsic index of $n = $1.2$\pm$0.3 and a median half-light radius of $r_e = $4.4$^{+1.1}_{-0.5}$ kpc for our SMGs at $z = $1-3. We also find significant displacements between the positions of the $H_{160}$-component and 870$μ$m emission in these systems, suggesting that the dusty star-burst regions and less-obscured stellar distribution are not co-located. We find significant differences in the sizes and the Sérsic index between our $z = $2-3 SMGs and $z \sim $2 quiescent galaxies, suggesting a major transformation of the stellar light profile is needed in the quenching processes if SMGs are progenitors of the red-and-dead $z\sim$2 galaxies. Given the short-lived nature of SMGs, we postulate that the majority of the $z = $2-3 SMGs with $S_{870} \gtrsim $2 mJy are early/mid-stage major mergers.

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arXiv2014

The SCUBA-2 Cosmology Legacy Survey: ALMA resolves the rest-frame far-infrared emission of sub-millimeter galaxies

We present high-resolution (0.3'') ALMA 870um imaging of 52 sub-millimeter galaxies (SMGs) in the Ultra Deep Survey (UDS) field and investigate the size and morphology of the sub-millimeter (sub-mm) emission on 2-10kpc scales. We derive a median intrinsic angular size of FWHM=0.30$\pm$0.04'' for the 23 SMGs in the sample detected at a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) >10. Using the photometric redshifts of the SMGs we show that this corresponds to a median physical half-light diameter of 2.4$\pm$0.2kpc. A stacking analysis of the SMGs detected at an SNR <10 shows they have sizes consistent with the 870um-bright SMGs in the sample. We compare our results to the sizes of SMGs derived from other multi-wavelength studies, and show that the rest-frame ~250um sizes of SMGs are consistent with studies of resolved 12CO (J=3-2 to 7-6) emission lines, but that sizes derived from 1.4GHz imaging appear to be approximately two times larger on average, which we attribute to cosmic ray diffusion. The rest-frame optical sizes of SMGs are around four times larger than the sub-millimeter sizes, indicating that the star formation in these galaxies is compact relative to the pre-existing stellar distribution. The size of the starburst region in SMGs is consistent with the majority of the star formation occurring in a central region, a few kpc in extent, with a median star formation rate surface density of 90$\pm$30Msol/yr/kpc$^2$, which may suggest that we are witnessing an intense period of bulge growth in these galaxies.

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arXiv2014

Imaging the environment of a z = 6.3 submillimeter galaxy with SCUBA-2

We describe a search for submillimeter emission in the vicinity of one of the most distant, luminous galaxies known, HerMES FLS3 at z=6.34, exploiting it as a signpost to a potentially biased region of the early Universe, as might be expected in hierarchical structure formation models. Imaging to the confusion limit with the innovative, wide-field submillimeter bolometer camera, SCUBA-2, we are sensitive to colder and/or less luminous galaxies in the surroundings of HFLS3. We use the Millennium Simulation to illustrate that HFLS3 may be expected to have companions if it is as massive as claimed, but find no significant evidence from the surface density of SCUBA-2 galaxies in its vicinity, or their colors, that HFLS3 marks an over-density of dusty, star-forming galaxies. We cannot rule out the presence of dusty neighbours with confidence, but deeper 450-um imaging has the potential to more tightly constrain the redshifts of nearby galaxies, at least one of which likely lies at z>~5. If associations with HFLS3 can be ruled out, this could be taken as evidence that HFLS3 is less biased than a simple extrapolation of the Millennium Simulation may imply. This could suggest either that it represents a rare short-lived, but highly luminous, phase in the evolution of an otherwise typical galaxy, or that this system has suffered amplification due to a foreground gravitational lens and so is not as intrinsically luminous as claimed.

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arXiv2014

The SCUBA-2 Cosmology Legacy Survey: the submillimetre properties of Lyman break galaxies at z=3-5

We present statistically significant detections at 850um of the Lyman Break Galaxy (LBG) population at z=3, 4, and 5 using data from the Submillimetre Common User Bolometer Array 2 (SCUBA-2) Cosmology Legacy Survey (S2CLS) in the United Kingdom Infrared Deep Sky Survey Ultra Deep Survey (UKIDSS-UDS) field. We employ a stacking technique to probe beneath the survey limit to measure the average 850um flux density of LBGs at z=3, 4, and 5 with typical ultraviolet luminosities of L(1700A)~10^29 erg/s/Hz. We measure 850um flux densities of (0.25 +/- 0.03, (0.41 +/- 0.06), and (0.88 +/- 0.23) mJy respectively, and find that they contribute at most 20 per cent to the cosmic far-infrared background at 850um. Fitting an appropriate range of spectral energy distributions to the z=3, 4, and 5 LBG stacked 24-850um fluxes, we derive infrared (IR) luminosities of L(8-1000um)~3.2, 5.5, and 11.0x10^11 Lsun (corresponding to star formation rates of ~50-200 Msun/yr) respectively. We find that the evolution in the IR luminosity density of LBGs is broadly consistent with model predictions for the expected contribution of luminous IR galaxy (LIRG) to ultraluminous IR galaxy (ULIRG) type systems at these epochs. We also see a strong positive correlation between stellar mass and IR luminosity. Our data are consistent with the main sequence of star formation showing little or no evolution from z=3 to 5. We have also confirmed that, for a fixed mass, the reddest LBGs (UV slope Beta -> 0) are indeed redder due to dust extinction, with SFR(IR)/SFR(UV) increasing by approximately an order of magnitude over -2<Beta<0 such that SFR(IR)/SFR(UV)~20 for the reddest LBGs. Furthermore, the most massive LBGs also tend to have higher obscured-to-unobscured ratio, hinting at a variation in the obscuration properties across the mass range.

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arXiv2014

A relationship between specific star formation rate and metallicity gradient within z=1 galaxies from KMOS-HiZELS

We have observed a sample of typical z=1 star forming galaxies, selected from the HiZELS survey, with the new KMOS near-infrared, multi-IFU instrument on the VLT, in order to obtain their dynamics and metallicity gradients. The majority of our galaxies have a metallicity gradient consistent with being flat or negative (i.e. higher metallicity cores than outskirts). Intriguingly, we find a trend between metallicity gradient and specific star formation rate (sSFR), such that galaxies with a high sSFR tend to have relatively metal-poor centres, a result which is strengthened when combined with datasets from the literature. This result appears to explain the discrepancies reported between different high redshift studies and varying claims for evolution. From a galaxy evolution perspective, the trend we see would mean that a galaxy's sSFR is governed by the amount of metal poor gas that can be funnelled into its core, triggered either by merging or through efficient accretion. In fact merging may play a significant role as it is the starburst galaxies at all epochs, which have the more positive metallicity gradients. Our results may help to explain the origin of the fundamental metallicity relation, in which galaxies at a fixed mass are observed to have lower metallicities at higher star formation rates, especially if the metallicity is measured in an aperture encompassing only the central regions of the galaxy. Finally, we note that this study demonstrates the power of KMOS as an efficient instrument for large scale resolved galaxy surveys.

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arXiv2014

A submillimeter galaxy illuminating its circumgalactic medium: Ly-alpha scattering in a cold, clumpy outflow

We report the detection at 850um of the central source in SSA22-LAB1, the archetypal Lyman-alpha Blob (LAB), a 100kpc-scale radio-quiet emission-line nebula at z=3.1. The flux density of the source, $S_{850}=4.6\pm1.1$mJy implies the presence of a galaxy, or group of galaxies, with a total luminosity of $L_{\rm IR}\approx10^{12}L_\odot$. The position of an active source at the center of a ~50kpc-radius ring of linearly polarized Ly-alpha emission detected by Hayes et al. (2011) suggests that the central source is leaking Ly-alpha photons preferentially in the plane of the sky, which undergo scattering in HI clouds at large galactocentric radius. The Ly-alpha morphology around the submillimeter detection is reminiscent of biconical outflow, and the average Ly-alpha line profiles of the two `lobes' are dominated by a red peak, expected for a resonant line emerging from a medium with a bulk velocity gradient that is outflowing relative to the line center. Taken together, these observations provide compelling evidence that the central active galaxy (or galaxies) is responsible for a large fraction of the extended Ly-alpha emission and morphology. Less clear is the history of the cold gas in the circumgalactic medium being traced by Ly-alpha: is it mainly pristine material accreting into the halo that has not yet been processed through an interstellar medium (ISM), now being blown back as it encounters an outflow, or does it mainly comprise gas that has been swept-up within the ISM and expelled from the galaxy?

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arXiv2014

Detection of molecular gas in an ALMA [CII]-identified Submillimetre Galaxy at z = 4.44

We present the detection of $^{12}$CO(2-1) in the $z = 4.44$ submillimetre galaxy ALESS65.1 using the Australia Telescope Compact Array. A previous ALMA study of submillimetre galaxies in the Extended Chandra Deep Field South determined the redshift of this optically and near-infrared undetected source through the measurement of [CII] 157.74 $μ$m emission. Using the luminosity of the $^{12}$CO(2-1) emission we estimate the gas mass to be $M_{\rm gas} \sim 1.7 \times 10^{10}$ ${\rm M}_\odot$. The gas depletion timescale of ALESS65.1 is $\sim$ 25 Myr, similar to other high redshift submillimetre galaxies and consistent with $z > 4$ SMGs being the progenitors of massive "red-and-dead" galaxies at $z > 2$. The ratio of the [CII], $^{12}$CO and far-infrared luminosities implies a strong far-ultraviolet field of $G_0 \sim 10^{3.25}$, which is at the high end of the far-ultraviolet fields seen in local starbursts, but weaker than the far-ultraviolet fields of most nearby ULIRGs. The high ratio of $L_{\rm [CII]}/L_{\rm FIR} = 1.0 \times 10^{-3}$ observed in ALESS65.1, combined with $L_{\rm [CII]}/L_{\rm CO} \sim 2300$, is consistent with ALESS65.1 having more extended regions of intense star formation than local ULIRGs.

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arXiv2014

An ALMA survey of submillimetre galaxies in the Extended Chandra Deep Field South: radio properties and the far-infrared/radio correlation

We present a study of the radio properties of 870$μ$m-selected submillimetre galaxies (SMGs), observed at high resolution with ALMA in the Extended Chandra Deep Field South. From our initial sample of 76 ALMA SMGs, we detect 52 SMGs at $>3σ$ significance in VLA 1400MHz imaging, of which 35 are also detected at $>3σ$ in new 610MHz GMRT imaging. Within this sample of radio-detected SMGs, we measure a median radio spectral index $α_{610}^{1400} = -0.79 \pm 0.06$, (with inter-quartile range $α=[-1.16,-0.56]$) and investigate the far-infrared/radio correlation via the parameter $q_{\rm IR}$, the logarithmic ratio of the rest-frame 8-1000$μ$m flux and monochromatic radio flux. Our median $q_{\rm IR} = 2.56 \pm 0.05$ (inter-quartile range $q_{\rm IR}=[2.42,2.78]$) is higher than that typically seen in single-dish 870$μ$m-selected sources ($q_{\rm IR} \sim 2.4$), which may reflect the fact that our ALMA-based study is not biased to radio-bright counterparts, as previous samples were. Finally, we search for evidence that $q_{\rm IR}$ and $α$ evolve with age in a co-dependent manner, as predicted by starburst models: the data populate the predicted region of parameter space, with the stellar mass tending to increase along tracks of $q_{\rm IR}$ versus $α$ in the direction expected, providing the first observational evidence in support of these models.

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arXiv2014

Kiloparsec-scale outflows are prevalent among luminous AGN: outflows and feedback in the context of the overall AGN population

We present integral field unit (IFU) observations covering the [O III]4959,5007 and H-Beta emission lines of sixteen z<0.2 type 2 active galactic nuclei (AGN). Our targets are selected from a well-constrained parent sample of 24,000 AGN so that we can place our observations into the context of the overall AGN population. Our targets are radio-quiet with star formation rates (<~[10-100] Msol/yr) that are consistent with normal star-forming galaxies. We decouple the kinematics of galaxy dynamics and mergers from outflows. We find high-velocity ionised gas (velocity widths of 600-1500 km/s and maximum velocities of <=1700 km/s) with observed spatial extents of >~(6-16) kpc in all targets and observe signatures of spherical outflows and bi-polar superbubbles. We show that our targets are representative of z<0.2, luminous (i.e., L([O III]) > 5x10^41 erg/s) type 2 AGN and that ionised outflows are not only common but also in >=70% (3 sigma confidence) of cases, they are extended over kiloparsec scales. Our study demonstrates that galaxy-wide energetic outflows are not confined to the most extreme star-forming galaxies or radio-luminous AGN; however, there may be a higher incidence of the most extreme outflow velocities in quasars hosted in ultra-luminous infrared galaxies. Both star formation and AGN activity appear to be energetically viable to drive the outflows and we find no definitive evidence that favours one process over the other. Although highly uncertain, we derive mass outflow rates (typically ~10x the SFRs), kinetic energies (~0.5-10% of L[AGN]) and momentum rates (typically >~10-20x L[AGN]/c) consistent with theoretical models that predict AGN-driven outflows play a significant role in shaping the evolution of galaxies.

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arXiv2014

The State of the Warm and Cold Gas in the Extreme Starburst at the Core of the Phoenix Galaxy Cluster (SPT-CLJ2344-4243)

[Abridged] We present new optical integral field spectroscopy (Gemini South) and submillimeter spectroscopy (Submillimeter Array) of the central galaxy in the Phoenix cluster (SPT-CLJ2344-4243). This cluster was previously reported to have a massive starburst (~800 Msun/yr) in the central, brightest cluster galaxy, most likely fueled by the rapidly-cooling intracluster medium. These new data reveal a complex emission-line nebula, extending for >30 kpc from the central galaxy. The total Halpha luminosity, assuming Halpha/Hbeta = 2.85, is L_Ha = 7.6 +/- 0.4 x10^43 erg/s, making this the most luminous emission line nebula detected in the center of a cool core cluster. Overall, the relative fluxes of the low-ionization lines (e.g., [O II], Hbeta) to the UV continuum are consistent with photoionization by young stars. In both the center of the galaxy and in a newly-discovered highly-ionized plume to the north of the galaxy, the ionization ratios are consistent with both shocks and AGN photoionization. We speculate that this extended plume may be a galactic wind, driven and partially photoionized by both the starburst and central AGN. We find evidence for shocks throughout the ISM of the central galaxy, most likely driven by a combination of stellar winds from massive young stars, core-collapse supernovae, and the central AGN. In addition to the warm, ionized gas, we detect a substantial amount of cold, molecular gas via the CO(3-2) transition, coincident in position with the galaxy center. We infer a molecular gas mass of M_H2 = 2.2 +/- 0.6 x10^10 Msun, which implies that the starburst will consume its fuel in ~30 Myr if it is not replenished. The combination of the high level of turbulence in the warm phase and the high L_IR/M_H2 ratio suggests that this violent starburst may be in the process of quenching itself.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

Which galaxies dominate the neutral gas content of the Universe?

We study the contribution of galaxies with different properties to the global densities of star formation rate (SFR), atomic (HI) and molecular hydrogen (H2) as a function of redshift. We use the GALFORM model of galaxy formation, which is set in the LCDM framework. This model includes a self-consistent calculation of the SFR, which depends on the H2 content of galaxies. The predicted SFR density and how much of this is contributed by galaxies with different stellar masses and infrared luminosities are in agreement with observations. The model predicts a modest evolution of the HI density at z<3, which is also in agreement with the observations. The HI density is predicted to be always dominated by galaxies with SFR<1Msun/yr. This contrasts with the H2 density, which is predicted to be dominated by galaxies with SFR>10Msun/yr. Current high-redshift galaxy surveys are limited to detect carbon monoxide in galaxies with SFR>30Msun/yr, which in our model make up, at most, 20% of the H2 in the universe. In terms of stellar mass, the predicted H2 density is dominated by massive galaxies, Mstellar>10^10Msun, while the HI density is dominated by low mass galaxies, Mstellar<10^9Msun. In the context of upcoming neutral gas surveys, we suggest that the faint nature of the galaxies dominating the HI content of the Universe will hamper the identification of optical counterparts, while for H2, we expect follow up observations of molecular emission lines of already existing galaxy catalogues to be able to uncover the H2 density of the Universe.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

[CII] and 12CO(1-0) Emission Maps in HLSJ091828.6+514223: A Strongly Lensed Interacting System at z=5.24

We present Submillimeter Array (SMA) [CII] 158um and Jansky Very Large Array (JVLA) $^{12}$CO(1-0) line emission maps for the bright, lensed, submillimeter source at $z=5.2430$ behind Abell 773: HLSJ091828.6+514223 (HLS0918). We combine these measurements with previously reported line profiles, including multiple $^{12}$CO rotational transitions, [CI], water and [NII], providing some of the best constraints on the properties of the interstellar medium (ISM) in a galaxy at $z>5$. HLS0918 has a total far-infrared (FIR) luminosity L_FIR(8-1000um) = (1.6$\pm$0.1)x10^14 L_sun/mu, where the total magnification mu_total = 8.9$\pm$1.9, via a new lens model from the [CII] and continuum maps. Despite a HyLIRG luminosity, the FIR continuum shape resembles that of a local LIRG. We simultaneously fit all of the observed spectral line profiles, finding four components which correspond cleanly to discrete spatial structures identified in the maps. The two most redshifted spectral components occupy the nucleus of a massive galaxy, with a source plane separation <1 kpc. The reddest dominates the continuum map (de-magnified L_FIR = (1.1$\pm$0.2)x10^13 L_sun), and excites strong water emission in both nuclear components via a powerful FIR radiation field from the intense star formation. A third star-forming component is most likely a region of a merging companion (dV ~ 500 km/s) exhibiting generally similar gas properties. The bluest component originates from a spatially distinct region, and photo-dissociation region (PDR) analysis suggests that it is lower density, cooler and forming stars less vigorously than the other components. Strikingly, it has very strong [NII] emission which may suggest an ionized, molecular outflow. This comprehensive view of gas properties and morphology in HLS0918 previews the science possible for a large sample of high-redshift galaxies once ALMA attains full sensitivity.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

The SCUBA-2 Cosmology Legacy Survey: Ultraluminous star-forming galaxies in a z=1.6 cluster

We analyse new SCUBA-2 submillimeter and archival SPIRE far-infrared imaging of a z=1.62 cluster, Cl0218.3-0510, which lies in the UKIDSS/UDS field of the SCUBA-2 Cosmology Legacy Survey. Combining these tracers of obscured star formation activity with the extensive photometric and spectroscopic information available for this field, we identify 31 far-infrared/submillimeter-detected probable cluster members with bolometric luminosities >1e12 Lo and show that by virtue of their dust content and activity, these represent some of the reddest and brightest galaxies in this structure. We exploit Cycle-1 ALMA submillimeter continuum imaging which covers one of these sources to confirm the identification of a SCUBA-2-detected ultraluminous star-forming galaxy in this structure. Integrating the total star-formation activity in the central region of the structure, we estimate that it is an order of magnitude higher (in a mass-normalised sense) than clusters at z~0.5-1. However, we also find that the most active cluster members do not reside in the densest regions of the structure, which instead host a population of passive and massive, red galaxies. We suggest that while the passive and active populations have comparable near-infrared luminosities at z=1.6, M(H)~-23, the subsequent stronger fading of the more active galaxies means that they will evolve into passive systems at the present-day which are less luminous than the descendants of those galaxies which were already passive at z~1.6 (M(H)~-20.5 and M(H)~-21.5 respectively at z~0). We conclude that the massive galaxy population in the dense cores of present-day clusters were already in place at z=1.6 and that in Cl0218.3-0510 we are seeing continuing infall of less extreme, but still ultraluminous, star-forming galaxies onto a pre-existing structure.

astro-ph.GA↗