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Romain A. Meyer

Publications and source records attributed to Romain A. Meyer.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
arXiv2024

ALMA 300 pc resolution imaging of a z=6.79 quasar: no evidence for supermassive black hole influence on the [C II] kinematics

We present Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) [C II] 158 $μ\rm{m}$ and dust continuum observations of the $z=6.79$ quasar J0109--3047 at a resolution of $0."045$ ($\sim$300 pc). The dust and [C II] emission are enclosed within a $\sim 500\, \rm{pc}$ radius, with the central beam ($r<144\ \rm{pc}$) accounting for $\sim$25\% (8\%) of the total continuum ([C II]) emission. The far--infrared luminosity density increases radially from $\sim$5 $\times 10^{11} L_\odot\ \rm{kpc}^{-2}$ to a central value of $\sim$70 $\times 10^{11} L_\odot\ \rm{kpc}^{-2}$ (SFRD $\sim$50-700 $M_\odot\ \rm{yr}^{-1}\ \rm{kpc}^{-2}$). The [C II] kinematics are dispersion-dominated with a constant velocity dispersion of $137 \pm 6 \,\rm{km\ s}^{-1}$. The constant dispersion implies that the underlying mass distribution is not centrally peaked, consistent with the expectations of a flat gas mass profile. The lack of an upturn in velocity dispersion within the central beam is inconsistent with a black hole mass greater than $M_{\rm{BH}}<6.5\times 10^{8}\ M_\odot\ (2σ$ level), unless highly fine-tuned changes in the ISM properties conspire to produce a decrease of the gas mass in the central beam comparable to the black hole mass. Our observations therefore imply either that a) the black hole is less massive than previously measured or b) the central peak of the far-infrared and [C II] emission are not tracing the location of the black hole, as suggested by the tentative offset between the near-infrared position of the quasar and the ALMA continuum emission.

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arXiv2023

ALMA 400pc Imaging of a z=6.5 Massive Warped Disk Galaxy

We present 0.075 (~400 pc) resolution ALMA observations of the [CII] and dust continuum emission from the host galaxy of the z=6.5406 quasar, P036+03. We find that the emission arises from a thin, rotating disk with an effective radius of 0.21" (1.1 kpc). The velocity dispersion of the disk is consistent with a constant value of 66.4+-1.0 km/s, yielding a scale height of 80+-30 pc. The [CII] velocity field reveals a distortion that we attribute to a warp in the disk. Modeling this warped disk yields an inclination estimate of 40.4+-1.3 degrees and a rotational velocity of 116+-3 km/s. The resulting dynamical mass estimate of (1.96+-0.10) x 10^10 Msun is lower than previous estimates, which strengthens the conclusion that the host galaxy is less massive than expected based on local scaling relations between the black hole mass and the host galaxy mass. Using archival MUSE Ly-alpha observations, we argue that counter-rotating halo gas could provide the torque needed to warp the disk. We further detect a region with excess (15-sigma) dust continuum emission, which is located 1.3 kpc northwest of the galaxy's center and is gravitationally unstable (Toomre-Q < 0.04). We posit this is a star-forming region whose formation was triggered by the warp, because the region is located within a part of the warped disk where gas can efficiently lose angular momentum. The combined ALMA and MUSE imaging provides a unique view of how gas interactions within the disk-halo interface can influence the growth of massive galaxies within the first billion years of the universe.

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arXiv2023

Mapping dusty galaxy growth at $z>5$ with FRESCO: Detection of H$α$ in submm galaxy HDF850.1 and the surrounding overdense structures

We report the detection of a 13$σ$ H$α$ emission line from HDF850.1 at $z=5.188\pm0.001$ using the FRESCO NIRCam F444W grism observations. Detection of H$α$ in HDF850.1 is noteworthy, given its high far-IR luminosity, substantial dust obscuration, and the historical challenges in deriving its redshift. HDF850.1 shows a clear detection in the F444W imaging data, distributed between a northern and southern component, mirroring that seen in [CII] from the Plateau de Bure Interferometer. Modeling the SED of each component separately, we find that the northern component has a higher mass, star formation rate (SFR), and dust extinction than the southern component. The observed H$α$ emission appears to arise entirely from the less-obscured southern component and shows a similar $Δ$v$\sim$+130 km/s velocity offset to that seen for [CII] relative to the source systemic redshift. Leveraging H$α$-derived redshifts from FRESCO observations, we find that HDF850.1 is forming in one of the richest environments identified to date at $z>5$, with 100 $z=5.17-5.20$ galaxies distributed across 10 structures and a $\sim$(15 cMpc)$^3$ volume. Based on the evolution of analogous structures in cosmological simulations, the $z=5.17-5.20$ structures seem likely to collapse into a single $>$10$^{14}$ $M_{\odot}$ cluster by $z\sim0$. Comparing galaxy properties forming within this overdensity with those outside, we find the masses, SFRs, and $UV$ luminosities inside the overdensity to be clearly higher. The prominence of H$α$ line emission from HDF850.1 and other known highly-obscured $z>5$ galaxies illustrates the potential of NIRCam-grism programs to map both the early build-up of IR-luminous galaxies and overdense structures.

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arXiv2023

Life beyond 30: probing the -20<M_UV<-17 luminosity function at 8<z<13 with the NIRCam parallel field of the MIRI Deep Survey

We present the ultraviolet luminosity function and an estimate of the cosmic star formation rate density at $8 8$ galaxy candidates based on their dropout nature in the F115W and/or F150W filters, a high probability for their photometric redshifts, estimated with three different codes, being at $z>8$, good fits based on $χ^2$ calculations, and predominant solutions compared to $z<8$ alternatives. We find mild evolution in the luminosity function from $z\sim13$ to $z\sim8$, i.e., only a small increase in the average number density of $\sim$0.2 dex, while the faint-end slope and absolute magnitude of the knee remain approximately constant, with values $α=-2.2\pm0.1$ and $M^*=-20.8\pm0.2$ mag. Comparing our results with the predictions of state-of-the-art galaxy evolution models, we find two main results: (1) a slower increase with time in the cosmic star formation rate density compared to a steeper rise predicted by models; (2) nearly a factor of 10 higher star formation activity concentrated in scales around 2 kpc in galaxies with stellar masses $\sim10^8$ M$_\odot$ during the first 350 Myr of the Universe, $z\sim12$, with models matching better the luminosity density observational estimations $\sim$150 Myr later, by $z\sim9$.

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arXiv2023

Photometric IGM tomography with Subaru/HSC: the large-scale structure of Ly$α$ emitters and IGM transmission in the COSMOS field at $z\sim5$

We present a novel technique called "photometric IGM tomography" to map the intergalactic medium (IGM) at $z\simeq4.9$ in the COSMOS field. It utilizes deep narrow-band (NB) imaging to photometrically detect faint Ly$α$ forest transmission in background galaxies across the Subaru/Hyper-Suprime Cam (HSC)'s $1.8\rm\,sq.\,deg$ field of view and locate Ly$α$ emitters (LAEs) in the same cosmic volume. Using ultra-deep HSC images and Bayesian spectral energy distribution fitting, we measure the Ly$α$ forest transmission at $z\simeq4.9$ along a large number ($140$) of background galaxies selected from the DEIMOS10k spectroscopic catalogue at $4.98<z<5.89$ and the SILVERRUSH LAEs at $z\simeq5.7$. We photometrically measure the mean Ly$α$ forest transmission and achieve a result consistent with previous measurements based on quasar spectra. We also measure the angular LAE-Ly$α$ forest cross-correlation and Ly$α$ forest auto-correlation functions and place an observational constraint on the large-scale fluctuations of the IGM around LAEs at $z\simeq4.9$. Finally, we present the reconstructed 2D tomographic map of the IGM, co-spatial with the large-scale structure of LAEs, at a transverse resolution of $11 \,h^{-1}\rm cMpc$ across $140\,h^{-1}\rm cMpc$ in the COSMOS field at $z\simeq4.9$. We discuss the observational requirements and the potential applications of this new technique for understanding the sources of reionization, quasar radiative history, and galaxy-IGM correlations across $z\sim3-6$. Our results represent the first proof-of-concept of photometric IGM tomography, offering a new route to examining early galaxy evolution in the context of the large-scale cosmic web from the epoch of reionization to cosmic noon.

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arXiv2023

A SPectroscopic survey of biased halos In the Reionization Era (ASPIRE): JWST Reveals a Filamentary Structure around a z=6.61 Quasar

We present the first results from the JWST ASPIRE program (A SPectroscopic survey of biased halos In the Reionization Era). This program represents an imaging and spectroscopic survey of 25 reionization-era quasars and their environments by utilizing the unprecedented capabilities of NIRCam Wide Field Slitless Spectroscopy (WFSS) mode. ASPIRE will deliver the largest ($\sim280~{\rm arcmin}^2$) galaxy redshift survey at 3-4 $μ$m among JWST Cycle-1 programs and provide extensive legacy values for studying the formation of the earliest supermassive black holes (SMBHs), the assembly of galaxies, early metal enrichment, and cosmic reionization. In this first ASPIRE paper, we report the discovery of a filamentary structure traced by the luminous quasar J0305-3150 and ten [OIII] emitters at $z=6.6$. This structure has a 3D galaxy overdensity of $δ_{\rm gal}=12.6$ over 637 cMpc$^3$, one of the most overdense structures known in the early universe, and could eventually evolve into a massive galaxy cluster. Together with existing VLT/MUSE and ALMA observations of this field, our JWST observations reveal that J0305-3150 traces a complex environment where both UV-bright and dusty galaxies are present, and indicate that the early evolution of galaxies around the quasar is not simultaneous. In addition, we discovered 31 [OIII] emitters in this field at other redshifts, $5.3<z<6.7$, with half of them situated at $z\sim5.4$ and $z\sim6.2$. This indicates that star-forming galaxies, such as [OIII] emitters, are generally clustered at high redshifts. These discoveries demonstrate the unparalleled redshift survey capabilities of NIRCam WFSS and the potential of the full ASPIRE survey dataset.

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arXiv2023

Examining the Decline in the C IV Content of the Universe over 4.3 < z < 6.3 using the E-XQR-30 Sample

Intervening CIV absorbers are key tracers of metal-enriched gas in galaxy halos over cosmic time. Previous studies suggest that the CIV cosmic mass density ($Ω_{\rm CIV}$) decreases slowly over 1.5 $\lesssim z\lesssim$ 5 before declining rapidly at $z\gtrsim$ 5, but the cause of this downturn is poorly understood. We characterize the $Ω_{\rm CIV}$ evolution over 4.3 $\lesssim z\lesssim$ 6.3 using 260 absorbers found in 42 XSHOOTER spectra of $z\sim$ 6 quasars, of which 30 come from the ESO Large Program XQR-30. The large sample enables us to robustly constrain the rate and timing of the downturn. We find that $Ω_{\rm CIV}$ decreases by a factor of 4.8 $\pm$ 2.0 over the ~300 Myr interval between $z\sim$ 4.7 and $z\sim$ 5.8. The slope of the column density (log N) distribution function does not change, suggesting that CIV absorption is suppressed approximately uniformly across 13.2 $\leq$ log N/cm$^{-2}$ < 15.0. Assuming that the carbon content of galaxy halos evolves as the integral of the cosmic star formation rate density (with some delay due to stellar lifetimes and outflow travel times), we show that chemical evolution alone could plausibly explain the fast decline in $Ω_{\rm CIV}$ over 4.3 $\lesssim z\lesssim$ 6.3. However, the CIV/CII ratio decreases at the highest redshifts, so the accelerated decline in $Ω_{\rm CIV}$ at $z\gtrsim$ 5 may be more naturally explained by rapid changes in the gas ionization state driven by evolution of the UV background towards the end of hydrogen reionization.

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arXiv2023

The XQR-30 Metal Absorber Catalog: 778 Absorption Systems Spanning 2 < z < 6.5

Intervening metal absorption lines in the spectra of z > 6 quasars are fundamental probes of the ionization state and chemical composition of circumgalactic and intergalactic gas near the end of the reionization epoch. Large absorber samples are required to robustly measure typical absorber properties and to refine models of the synthesis, transport, and ionization of metals in the early Universe. The "Ultimate XSHOOTER legacy survey of quasars at z~5.8-6.6" (XQR-30) has obtained high signal-to-noise spectra of 30 luminous quasars, nearly quadrupling the existing sample of 12 high quality z~6 quasar spectra. We use this unprecedented sample to construct a catalog of 778 systems showing absorption in one or more of MgII (360 systems), FeII (184), CII (46), CIV (479), SiIV (127), and NV (13) which span 2 < z < 6.5. This catalog significantly expands on existing samples of z > 5 absorbers, especially for CIV and SiIV which are important probes of the ionizing photon background at high redshift. The sample is 50% (90%) complete for rest-frame equivalent widths W > 0.03AA (0.09AA). We publicly release the absorber catalog along with completeness statistics and a Python script to compute the absorption search path for different ions and redshift ranges. This dataset is a key legacy resource for studies of enriched gas from the era of galaxy assembly to cosmic noon, and paves the way for even higher redshift studies with the James Webb Space Telescope and 30m-class telescopes.

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arXiv2022

The Pan-STARRS1 z>5.6 quasar survey II: Discovery of 55 Quasars at 5.6<z<6.5

The identification of bright quasars at z>6 enables detailed studies of supermassive black holes, massive galaxies, structure formation, and the state of the intergalactic medium within the first billion years after the Big Bang. We present the spectroscopic confirmation of 55 quasars at redshifts 5.6<z<6.5 and UV magnitudes -24.5<M1450<-28.5 identified in the optical Pan-STARRS1 and near-IR VIKING surveys (48 and 7, respectively). Five of these quasars have been independently discovered in other studies. The quasar sample shows an extensive range of physical properties, including 17 objects with weak emission lines, ten broad absorption line quasars, and five with strong radio emission (radio-loud quasars). There are also a few notable sources in the sample, including a blazar candidate at z=6.23, a likely gravitationally lensed quasar at z=6.41, and a z=5.84 quasar in the outskirts of the nearby (D~3 Mpc) spiral galaxy M81. The blazar candidate remains undetected in NOEMA observations of the [CII] and underlying emission, implying a star-formation rate <30-70 Msun/yr. A significant fraction of the quasars presented here lies at the foundation of the first measurement of the z~6 quasar luminosity function from Pan-STARRS1 (introduced in a companion paper). The quasars presented here will enable further studies of the high-redshift quasar population with current and future facilities.

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arXiv2022

The X-shooter/ALMA Sample of Quasars in the Epoch of Reionization. II. Black Hole Masses, Eddington Ratios, and the Formation of the First Quasars

We present measurements of black hole masses and Eddington ratios for a sample of 38 bright (M$_{1450}$ < -24.4 mag) quasars at 5.8 < z < 7.5, derived from VLT/X-shooter near-IR spectroscopy of their broad CIV and MgII emission lines. The black hole masses (on average M$_{BH}$ ~ 4.6 x 10$^9$ M$_{\odot}$) and accretion rates (with Eddington ratios ranging between 0.1 and 1.0) are broadly consistent with that of similarly luminous 0.3 < z < 2.3 quasars, but there is evidence for a mild increase in the median Eddington ratio going towards z > 6. Combined with deep ALMA observations of the [CII] 158 $μ$m line from the quasar host galaxies and VLT/MUSE investigations of the extended Ly$α$ halos, this study provides fundamental clues to models of the formation and growth of the first massive galaxies and black holes. Compared to local scaling relations, z > 5.7 black holes appear to be over-massive with respect to their host galaxies, and their accretion properties do not change with host galaxy morphology. Under the assumption that the kinematics of the T ~ 10$^4$ K gas, traced by the extended Ly$α$ halos, are dominated by the gravitational potential of the dark matter halo, we report a similar relation between the black hole mass and circular velocity to the one reported for z ~ 0 galaxies. These results paint a picture where the first supermassive black holes reside in massive halos at z > 6 and lead the first stages of galaxy formation by rapidly growing in mass with a duty cycle of order unity. However, this duty cycle needs to drastically drop towards lower redshifts, while the host galaxies continue forming stars at a rate of hundreds of solar masses per year, sustained by the large reservoirs of cool gas surrounding them.

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arXiv2022

Hydrogen reionisation ends by $z=5.3$: Lyman-$α$ optical depth measured by the XQR-30 sample

The presence of excess scatter in the Ly-$α$ forest at $z\sim 5.5$, together with the existence of sporadic extended opaque Gunn-Peterson troughs, has started to provide robust evidence for a late end of hydrogen reionisation. However, low data quality and systematic uncertainties complicate the use of Ly-$α$ transmission as a precision probe of reionisation's end stages. In this paper, we assemble a sample of 67 quasar sightlines at $z>5.5$ with high signal-to-noise ratios of $>10$ per $\leq 15$ km s$^{-1}$ spectral pixel, relying largely on the new XQR-30 quasar sample. XQR-30 is a large program on VLT/X-Shooter which obtained deep (SNR $>20$ per pixel) spectra of 30 quasars at $z>5.7$. We carefully account for systematics in continuum reconstruction, instrumentation, and contamination by damped Ly-$α$ systems. We present improved measurements of the mean Ly-$α$ transmission over $4.9 3.5 σ$). Our results indicate that reionisation-related fluctuations, whether in the UVB, residual neutral hydrogen fraction, and/or IGM temperature, persist in the intergalactic medium until at least $z=5.3$ ($t=1.1$ Gyr after the Big Bang). This is further evidence for a late end to reionisation.

astro-ph.CO↗
arXiv2022

Constraining galaxy overdensities around three z~6.5 quasars with ALMA and MUSE

We quantify galaxy overdensities around three high-redshift quasars with known [CII] 158um companions: PJ231-20 (z=6.59), PJ308-21 (z=6.24) and J0305-3150 (z=6.61). Recent SCUBA2 imaging revealed the presence of 17 submillimeter galaxies (SMG) with sky separations $0.7'< θ< 2.4'$ from these three quasars. We present ALMA Band 6 follow-up observations of these SCUBA2-selected SMGs to confirm their nature and redshift. We also search for continuum-undetected [CII] emitters in the ALMA pointings and make use of archival MUSE observations to search for Lyman-$α$ Emitters (LAE) associated with the quasars. While most of the SCUBA2-selected sources are detected with ALMA in the continuum, no [CII] line emission could be detected, indicating that they are not at the quasar redshifts. Based on the serendipitous detection of CO 7-6 and [CI] emission lines, we find that four SMGs in the field of PJ231-20 are at z~2.4, which is coincident with the redshift of a Mg II absorber in the quasar rest-frame UV spectrum. We report the discovery of 2 LAEs within <0.6 cMpc of PJ231-20 at the same redshift, indicating a LAE overdensity around this quasar. Taken together, these observations provide new constraints on the large-scale excess of Lyman-$α$- and [CII]-emitting galaxies around z>6 quasars and suggest that only wide-field observations, such as MUSE, ALMA or JWST mosaics, can reveal a comprehensive picture of large-scale structure around quasars in the first billion years of the Universe.

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arXiv2022

Physical constraints on the extended interstellar medium of the z=6.42 quasar J1148+5251: [CII] 158um, [NII] 205um and [OI] 146um observations

We report new Northern Extended Millimeter Array (NOEMA) observations of the [CII], [NII] and [OI] atomic fine structure lines and dust continuum emission of J1148+5251, a z=6.42 quasar, that probe the physical properties of its interstellar medium (ISM). The radially-averaged [CII] and dust continuum emission have similar extensions (up to $θ= 2.51^{+0.46}_{-0.25}\ \rm{arcsec}$, corresponding to $r= 9.8^{+3.3}_{-2.1}\ \rm{kpc}$ accounting for beam-convolution), confirming that J1148+5251 is the quasar with the largest [CII]-emitting has reservoir known at these epochs.Moreover, if the [CII] emission is examined only along its NE-SW axis, a significant excess ($>5.8σ$) of [CII] emission (with respect to the dust) is detected. The new wide--bandwidth observations enable us to accurately constrain the continuum emission, and do not statistically require the presence of broad [CII] line wings that were reported in previous studies. We also report the first detection of the [OI] and (tentatively) [NII] emission lines in J1148+5251. Using Fine Structure Lines (FSL) ratios of the [CII], [NII], [OI] and previously measured [CI] emission lines, we show that J1148+5251 has similar ISM conditions compared to lower--redshift (ultra)-luminous infrared galaxies. CLOUDY modelling of the FSL ratios exclude X--ray dominated regions (XDR) and favours photodissociation regions (PDR) as the origin of the FSL emission. We find that a high radiation field ($10^{3.5-4.5}\,G_0$), high gas density ($n \simeq 10^{3.5-4.5}\, \rm{cm}^{-3}$) and HI column density of $10^{23} \,\rm{cm^{-2}}$ reproduce the observed FSL ratios well.

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arXiv2020

Double-peaked Lyman-$α$ emission at z=6.803: a reionisation-era galaxy self-ionising its local HII bubble

We report the discovery of a double-peaked Lyman-alpha profile in a galaxy at $z=6.803$, A370p\_z1, in the parallel Frontier Field of Abell 370. The velocity separation between the blue and red peaks of the Lyman-$α$ profile ($Δv=101_{-19}^{+38} (\pm48)\,\text{km s}^{-1}$) suggests an extremely high escape fraction of ionising photons $> 59(51)\% (2σ)$. The spectral energy distribution indicates a young ($50$ Myr), star-forming ($12\pm 6 \, \rm{M}_\odot \rm{yr}^{-1}$) galaxy with an IRAC excess implying strong [OIII]+H$β$ emission. On the basis of the high escape fraction measured, we demonstrate that A370p\_z1 was solely capable of creating an ionised bubble sufficiently large to account for the blue component of its Lyman-alpha profile. We discuss whether A370p\_z1 may be representative of a larger population of luminous $z\simeq7$ double-peaked Lyman-alpha emitting sources with high escape fractions that self-ionised their surroundings without contributions from associated UV-fainter sources.

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arXiv2020

The role of galaxies and AGN in reionising the IGM -- III : IGM-galaxy cross-correlations at z~6 from 8 quasar fields with DEIMOS and MUSE

We present improved results of the measurement of the correlation between galaxies and the intergalactic medium (IGM) transmission at the end of reionisation. We have gathered a sample of $13$ spectroscopically confirmed Lyman-break galaxies (LBGs) and $21$ Lyman-$α$ emitters (LAEs) at angular separations $20'' \lesssim θ\lesssim 10'$ ($\sim 0.1-4$ pMpc at $z\sim 6$) from the sightlines to $8$ background $z\gtrsim 6$ quasars. We report for the first time the detection of an excess of Lyman-$α$ transmission spikes at $\sim 10-60$ cMpc from LAEs ($3.2σ$) and LBGs ($1.9σ$). We interpret the data with an improved model of the galaxy-Lyman-$α$ transmission and two-point cross-correlations which includes the enhanced photoionisation due to clustered faint sources, enhanced gas densities around the central bright objects and spatial variations of the mean free path. The observed LAE(LBG)-Lyman-$α$ transmission spike two-point cross-correlation function (2PCCF) constrains the luminosity-averaged escape fraction of all galaxies contributing to reionisation to $\langle f_{\rm esc} \rangle_{M_{\rm UV}<-12} = 0.14_{-0.05}^{+0.28}\,(0.23_{-0.12}^{+0.46})$. We investigate if the 2PCCF measurement can determine whether bright or faint galaxies are the dominant contributors to reionisation. Our results show that a contribution from faint galaxies ($M_{\rm UV} > -20 \, (2σ)$) is necessary to reproduce the observed 2PCCF and that reionisation might be driven by different sub-populations around LBGs and LAEs at $z\sim 6$.

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arXiv2019

Three Lyman-alpha emitting galaxies within a quasar proximity zone at z=5.8

Quasar proximity zones at $z>5.5$ correspond to over-dense and over-ionized environments. Galaxies found inside proximity zones can therefore display features which would otherwise be masked by absorption in the IGM. We demonstrate the utility of this quasar-galaxy synergy by reporting the discovery of the first three `proximate Lyman-$α$ emitters' (LAEs) within the proximity zone of quasar J0836 at $z=5.802$ (\textit{Aerith A, B} and \textit{C}). \textit{Aerith A}, located behind the quasar with an impact parameter $D_\perp = 278$ pkpc, provides the first detection of a Lyman-$α$ transverse proximity effect. We model the transmission and show it constrains the onset of J0836's quasar phase to $0.2 \text{Myr}<t<20\text{Myr}$ in the past. The second object, \textit{Aerith B} at a distance $D=750$ pkpc from the quasar, displays a bright, broad double-peaked \lal emission line. Based on relations calibrated at $z\leq3$, the peak separation implies a low ionizing $f_{\text{esc}} \lesssim 1\%$, the most direct such constraint on a reionization-era galaxy. We fit the Ly-$α$ line with an outflowing shell model, finding a completely typical central density $\text{log N}_{\text{HI}}/\text{cm}^{-2} = 19.3_{-0.2}^{+0.8}$, outflow velocity $v=16_{-11}^{+4}$ km s$^{-1}$, and gas temperature $\text{log} T/\text{K} = 3.8_{-0.7}^{+0.8}$ compared to $2<z<3$ analogue LAEs. Finally, we detect an emission line at $λ=8177$ Å in object \textit{Aerith C} which, if it is \lal at $z=5.726$, would correspond closely with the end of the quasar's proximity zone ($Δz<0.02$ from the boundary) and suggests the quasar influences the IGM up to $\sim85$ cMpc away, making it the largest quasar proximity zone. Via the analyses conducted here, we illustrate how proximate LAEs offer unique insight into the ionizing properties of both quasars and galaxies during the epoch of reionization.

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arXiv2019

New Constraints on Quasar Evolution: Broad Line Velocity Shifts over $1.5\lesssim z\lesssim 7.5 $

We present the results of a model-independent investigation of the rest-frame UV spectra from a comprehensive sample of $394$ quasars in the redshift range $1.5\leq z \leq 7.5$. We fit the main Broad Emission Lines (BELs) in the rest-frame range $1280 \textÅ \leq λ\leq 3000 \textÅ$ (O I, C II, Si IV, C III, C IV and Mg II) with a lightly-supervised spline fitting technique. Redshifts are derived from the peaks of each fitted BEL and used to compute relative velocity shifts. We show that our method gives unbiased velocity shifts and is insensitive to spectral resolution and instrumental parameters. It is found that the average blueshift of the \cfour\, line with respect to several low-ionisation lines in luminosity-matched samples does not significantly evolve over $1.5\gtrsim z\gtrsim6$. However, the average blueshift increases significantly by a factor $\sim 2.5$ at $z\gtrsim 6$. We propose that this redshift evolution can be explained by \cfour\, winds launched perpendicularly to an accretion disk with increased torus opacity at high-redshift, coupled with a potential orientation-driven selection bias. Our results open new exciting avenues of investigation into young quasars in the reionisation epoch.

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arXiv2019

Quasi-Stellar Objects acting as potential Strong Gravitational Lenses in the SDSS-III BOSS survey

We present a sample of 12 Quasi-Stellar Objects (QSOs) potentially acting as strong gravitational lenses on background Emission Line Galaxies (ELG) or Lyman-$α$ Emitters (LAEs) selected selected through a systematic search of the 297301 QSOs in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS)-III Data Release 12. Candidates are identified by looking for compound spectra, where emission lines at a redshift larger than that of the quasar can be identified in the residuals after a QSO spectral template is subtracted from the observed spectra. The narrow diameter of BOSS fibers (2") then ensures that the object responsible for the additional emission lines must lie close to the line of sight of the QSO and hence provides a high probability of lensing. Among the 12 candidates identified, 9 have definite evidence for the presence of a background ELG identified by at least 4 higher-redshift nebular emission lines. The remaining $3$ probable candidates present a strong asymmetrical emission line attributed to a background Lyman-$α$ emitter (LAE). The QSO-ELG (QSO-LAE) lens candidates have QSO lens redshifts in the range $0.24\lesssim z_{QSO} \lesssim 0.66$ ($0.75 \lesssim z_{QSO} \lesssim 1.23$ ) and background galaxy redshifts in the range $0.48 \lesssim z_{S,ELG} \lesssim 0.94$ ($2.17 \lesssim z_{S,LAE} \lesssim 4.48$). We show that the algorithmic search is complete at >90% for QSO-ELG systems, whereas it falls at 40-60% for QSO-LAE, depending on the redshift of the source. Upon confirmation of the lensing nature of the systems, this sample may quadruple the number of known QSOs acting as strong lenses. We have determined the completeness of our search, which allows future studies to compute lensing probabilities of galaxies by QSOs and differentiate between different QSO models. (Abridged)

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