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Tommaso Treu

Publications and source records attributed to Tommaso Treu.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Beacons into the Cosmic Dark Ages: Boosted transmission of Ly$α$ from UV bright galaxies at $z \gtrsim 7$

Recent detections of Lyman alpha (Ly$α$) emission from $z>7.5$ galaxies were somewhat unexpected given a dearth of previous non-detections in this era when the intergalactic medium (IGM) is still highly neutral. But these detections were from UV bright galaxies, which preferentially live in overdensities which reionize early, and have significantly Doppler-shifted Ly$α$ line profiles emerging from their interstellar media (ISM), making them less affected by the global IGM state. Using a combination of reionization simulations and empirical ISM models we show, as a result of these two effects, UV bright galaxies in overdensities have $>2\times$ higher transmission through the $z\sim7$ IGM than typical field galaxies, and this boosted transmission is enhanced as the neutral fraction increases. The boosted transmission is not sufficient to explain the observed high Ly$α$ fraction of $M_\mathrm{UV} \lesssim -22$ galaxies (Stark et al. 2017), suggesting Ly$α$ emitted by these galaxies must be stronger than expected due to enhanced production and/or selection effects. Despite the bias of UV bright galaxies to reside in overdensities we show Ly$α$ observations of such galaxies can accurately measure the global neutral hydrogen fraction, particularly when Ly$α$ from UV faint galaxies is extinguished, making them ideal candidates for spectroscopic follow-up into the cosmic Dark Ages.

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Extreme magnification of a star at redshift 1.5 by a galaxy-cluster lens

Galaxy-cluster gravitational lenses can magnify background galaxies by a total factor of up to ~50. Here we report an image of an individual star at redshift z=1.49 (dubbed "MACS J1149 Lensed Star 1 (LS1)") magnified by >2000. A separate image, detected briefly 0.26 arcseconds from LS1, is likely a counterimage of the first star demagnified for multiple years by a >~3 solar-mass object in the cluster. For reasonable assumptions about the lensing system, microlensing fluctuations in the stars' light curves can yield evidence about the mass function of intracluster stars and compact objects, including binary fractions and specific stellar evolution and supernova models. Dark-matter subhalos or massive compact objects may help to account for the two images' long-term brightness ratio.

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Evolution of the Stellar Mass--Metallicity Relation - I: Galaxies in the z~0.4 Cluster Cl0024

We present the stellar mass-stellar metallicity relationship (MZR) in the Cl0024+1654 galaxy cluster at z~0.4 using full spectrum stellar population synthesis modeling of individual quiescent galaxies. The lower limit of our stellar mass range is $M_*=10^{9.7}M_\odot$, the lowest galaxy mass at which individual stellar metallicity has been measured beyond the local universe. We report a detection of an evolution of the stellar MZR with observed redshift at $0.037\pm0.007$ dex per Gyr, consistent with the predictions from hydrodynamical simulations. Additionally, we find that the evolution of the stellar MZR with observed redshift can be explained by an evolution of the stellar MZR with their formation time, i.e., when the single stellar population (SSP)-equivalent ages of galaxies are taken into account. This behavior is consistent with stars forming out of gas that also has an MZR with a normalization that decreases with redshift. Lastly, we find that over the observed mass range, the MZR can be described by a linear function with a shallow slope, ($[Fe/H] \propto (0.16 \pm 0.03) \log M_*$). The slope suggests that galaxy feedback, in terms of mass-loading factor, might be mass-independent over the observed mass and redshift range.

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The Universe is Reionizing at z~7: Bayesian Inference of the IGM Neutral Fraction Using Ly$α$ Emission from Galaxies

We present a new flexible Bayesian framework for directly inferring the fraction of neutral hydrogen in the intergalactic medium (IGM) during the Epoch of Reionization (EoR, z~6-10) from detections and non-detections of Lyman Alpha (Ly$α$) emission from Lyman break galaxies (LBGs). Our framework combines sophisticated reionization simulations with empirical models of the interstellar medium (ISM) radiative transfer effects on Ly$α$. We assert that the Ly$α$ line profile emerging from the ISM has an important impact on the resulting transmission of photons through the IGM, and that these line profiles depend on galaxy properties. We model this effect by considering the peak velocity offset of Ly$α$ lines from host galaxies' systemic redshifts, which are empirically correlated with UV luminosity and redshift (or halo mass at fixed redshift). We use our framework on the sample of LBGs presented in Pentericci et al. (2014) and infer a global neutral fraction at z~7 of $\overline{x}_\mathrm{HI} = 0.59_{-0.15}^{+0.11}$, consistent with other robust probes of the EoR and confirming reionization is on-going ~700 Myr after the Big Bang. We show that using the full distribution of Ly$α$ equivalent width detections and upper limits from LBGs places tighter constraints on the evolving IGM than the standard Ly$α$ emitter fraction, and that larger samples are within reach of deep spectroscopic surveys of gravitationally lensed fields and JWST NIRSpec.

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HST Grism Observations of a Gravitationally Lensed Redshift 10 Galaxy

We present deep spectroscopic observations of a Lyman-break galaxy candidate (hereafter MACS1149-JD) at $z\sim9.5$ with the $\textit{Hubble}$ Space Telescope ($\textit{HST}$) WFC3/IR grisms. The grism observations were taken at 4 distinct position angles, totaling 34 orbits with the G141 grism, although only 19 of the orbits are relatively uncontaminated along the trace of MACS1149-JD. We fit a 3-parameter ($z$, F160W mag, and Ly$α$ equivalent width) Lyman-break galaxy template to the three least contaminated grism position angles using an MCMC approach. The grism data alone are best fit with a redshift of $z_{\mathrm{grism}}=9.53^{+0.39}_{-0.60}$ ($68\%$ confidence), in good agreement with our photometric estimate of $z_{\mathrm{phot}}=9.51^{+0.06}_{-0.12}$ ($68\%$ confidence). Our analysis rules out Lyman-alpha emission from MACS1149-JD above a $3σ$ equivalent width of 21 Å, consistent with a highly neutral IGM. We explore a scenario where the red $\textit{Spitzer}$/IRAC $[3.6] - [4.5]$ color of the galaxy previously pointed out in the literature is due to strong rest-frame optical emission lines from a very young stellar population rather than a 4000 Å break. We find that while this can provide an explanation for the observed IRAC color, it requires a lower redshift ($z\lesssim9.1$), which is less preferred by the $\textit{HST}$ imaging data. The grism data are consistent with both scenarios, indicating that the red IRAC color can still be explained by a 4000 Å break, characteristic of a relatively evolved stellar population. In this interpretation, the photometry indicate that a $340^{+29}_{-35}$ Myr stellar population is already present in this galaxy only $\sim500~\mathrm{Myr}$ after the Big Bang.

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The Sloan Lens ACS Survey. XIII. Discovery of 40 New Galaxy-Scale Strong Lenses

We present the full sample of 118 galaxy-scale strong-lens candidates in the Sloan Lens ACS (SLACS) Survey for the Masses (S4TM) Survey, which are spectroscopically selected from the final data release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Follow-up Hubble Space Telescope (HST) imaging observations confirm that 40 candidates are definite strong lenses with multiple lensed images. The foreground lens galaxies are found to be early-type galaxies (ETGs) at redshifts 0.06 to 0.44, and background sources are emission-line galaxies at redshifts 0.22 to 1.29. As an extension of the SLACS Survey, the S4TM Survey is the first attempt to preferentially search for strong-lens systems with relatively lower lens masses than those in the pre-existing strong-lens samples. By fitting HST data with a singular isothermal ellipsoid model, we find total projected mass within the Einstein radius of the S4TM strong-lens sample ranges from $3 \times10^{10} M_{\odot}$ to $2 \times10^{11} M_{\odot}$. In [Shu15], we have derived the total stellar mass of the S4TM lenses to be $5 \times10^{10} M_{\odot}$ to $1 \times10^{12} M_{\odot}$. Both total enclosed mass and stellar mass of the S4TM lenses are on average almost a factor of 2 smaller than those of the SLACS lenses, which also represent typical mass scales of the current strong-lens samples. The extended mass coverage provided by the S4TM sample can enable a direct test, with the aid of strong lensing, for transitions in scaling relations, kinematic properties, mass structure, and dark-matter content trends of ETGs at intermediate-mass scales as noted in previous studies.

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H0LiCOW VII. Cosmic evolution of the correlation between black hole mass and host galaxy luminosity

Strongly lensed active galactic nuclei (AGN) provide a unique opportunity to make progress in the study of the evolution of the correlation between the mass of supermassive black holes ($\mathcal M_{BH}$) and their host galaxy luminosity ($L_{host}$). We demonstrate the power of lensing by analyzing two systems for which state-of-the-art lens modelling techniques have been applied to Hubble Space Telescope imaging data. We use i) the reconstructed images to infer the total and bulge luminosity of the host and ii) published broad-line spectroscopy to estimate $\mathcal M_{BH}$ using the so-called virial method. We then enlarge our sample with new calibration of previously published measurements to study the evolution of the correlation out to z~4.5. Consistent with previous work, we find that without taking into account passive luminosity evolution, the data points lie on the local relation. Once passive luminosity evolution is taken into account, we find that BHs in the more distant Universe reside in less luminous galaxies than today. Fitting this offset as $\mathcal M_{BH}$/$L_{host}$ $\propto$ (1+z)$^γ$, and taking into account selection effects, we obtain $γ$ = 0.6 $\pm$ 0.1 and 0.8$\pm$ 0.1 for the case of $\mathcal M_{BH}$-$L_{bulge}$ and $\mathcal M_{BH}$-$L_{total}$, respectively. To test for systematic uncertainties and selection effects we also consider a reduced sample that is homogeneous in data quality. We find consistent results but with considerably larger uncertainty due to the more limited sample size and redshift coverage ($γ$ = 0.7 $\pm$ 0.4 and 0.2$\pm$ 0.5 for $\mathcal M_{BH}$-$L_{bulge}$ and $\mathcal M_{BH}$-$L_{total}$, respectively), highlighting the need to gather more high-quality data for high-redshift lensed quasar hosts. Our result is consistent with a scenario where the growth of the black hole predates that of the host galaxy.

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Characterizing Intra-cluster light in the Hubble Frontier Fields

We investigate the intra-cluster light (ICL) in the 6 Hubble Frontier Field clusters at $0.3 150$kpc) lies in a younger/bluer stellar population ($\sim1$Gyr), a phenomenon not seen in local samples. We attribute this light to the higher fraction of starforming/(post-)starburst galaxies in clusters at $z\sim0.5$. Ultimately, we find the ICL's total mass to be $\log M_{\rm *}^{\rm ICL}/M_\odot\sim11$-12, constituting 5%-20% of the clusters' total stellar mass, or about a half of the value at $z\sim0$. The above implies distinct formation histories for the ICL and BCGs/other massive cluster galaxies; i.e. the ICL at this epoch is still being constructed rapidly ($\sim40M_\odot$yr$^{-1}$), while the BCGs have mostly completed their evolution. To be consistent with the ICL measurements of local massive clusters, such as the Virgo, our data suggest mass acquisition mainly from quiescent cluster galaxies is the principal source of ICL material in the subsequent $\sim$5 Gyr of cosmic time.

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Discovery of three strongly lensed quasars in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

We present the discovery of 3 quasar lenses in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), selected using two novel photometry-based selection techniques. The J0941+0518 system, with two point sources separated by 5.46" on either side of a galaxy, has source and lens redshifts $z_s = 1.54$ and $z_l = 0.343$. The AO-assisted images of J2211+1929 show two point sources separated by 1.04", corresponding to the same quasar at $z_s = 1.07,$ besides the lens galaxy and Einstein ring. Images of J2257+2349 show two point sources separated by 1.67" on either side of an E/S0 galaxy. The extracted spectra show two images of the same quasar at redshift $z_s = 2.10$. In total, the two selection techniques identified 309 lens candidates, including 47 known lenses, and 6 previously ruled out candidates. 55 of the remaining candidates were observed using NIRC2 and ESI at Keck Observatory, EFOSC2 at the ESO-NTT (La Silla), and SAM and the Goodman spectrograph at SOAR. Of the candidates observed, 3 were confirmed as lenses, 36 were ruled out, and 16 remain inconclusive. Taking into account that we recovered known lenses, this gives us a success rate of at least 50/309 (16%). This initial campaign demonstrates the power of purely photometric selection techniques in finding lensed quasars. Developing and refining these techniques is essential for efficient identification of these rare lenses in ongoing and future photometric surveys.

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Spectroscopic confirmation of an ultra-faint galaxy at the epoch of reionization

Within one billion years of the Big Bang, intergalactic hydrogen was ionized by sources emitting ultraviolet and higher energy photons. This was the final phenomenon to globally affect all the baryons (visible matter) in the Universe. It is referred to as cosmic reionization and is an integral component of cosmology. It is broadly expected that intrinsically faint galaxies were the primary ionizing sources due to their abundance in this epoch. However, at the highest redshifts ($z>7.5$; lookback time 13.1 Gyr), all galaxies with spectroscopic confirmations to date are intrinsically bright and, therefore, not necessarily representative of the general population. Here, we report the unequivocal spectroscopic detection of a low luminosity galaxy at $z>7.5$. We detected the Lyman-$α$ emission line at $\sim 10504$ Å in two separate observations with MOSFIRE on the Keck I Telescope and independently with the Hubble Space Telescope's slit-less grism spectrograph, implying a source redshift of $z = 7.640 \pm 0.001$. The galaxy is gravitationally magnified by the massive galaxy cluster MACS J1423.8+2404 ($z = 0.545$), with an estimated intrinsic luminosity of $M_{AB} = -19.6 \pm 0.2$ mag and a stellar mass of $M_{\star} = 3.0^{+1.5}_{-0.8} \times 10^8$ solar masses. Both are an order of magnitude lower than the four other Lyman-$α$ emitters currently known at $z > 7.5$, making it probably the most distant representative source of reionization found to date.

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Extending the Calibration of CIV-Based Single-Epoch Black Hole Mass Estimators for Active Galactic Nuclei

We provide an updated calibration of CIV $\lambda1549$ broad emission line-based single-epoch (SE) black hole (BH) mass estimators for active galactic nuclei (AGNs) using new data for six reverberation-mapped AGNs at redshift $z=0.005-0.028$ with BH masses (bolometric luminosities) in the range $10^{6.5}-10^{7.5}$ $M_{\odot}$ ($10^{41.7}-10^{43.8}$ erg s$^{\rm -1}$). New rest-frame UV-to-optical spectra covering 1150-5700 Å for the six AGNs were obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Multi-component spectral decompositions of the HST spectra were used to measure SE emission-line widths for the CIV, MgII, and H$β$ lines as well as continuum luminosities in the spectral region around each line. We combine the new data with similar measurements for a previous archival sample of 25 AGNs to derive the most consistent and accurate calibrations of the CIV-based SE BH mass estimators against the H$β$ reverberation-based masses, using three different measures of broad-line width: full-width at half maximum (FWHM), line dispersion ($σ_{\rm line}$) and mean absolute deviation (MAD). The newly expanded sample at redshift $z=0.005-0.234$ covers a dynamic range in BH mass (bolometric luminosity) of $\log\ M_{\rm BH}/M_{\odot} = 6.5-9.1$ ($\log\ L_{\rm bol}/$erg s$^{\rm -1}=41.7-46.9$), and we derive the new CIV-based mass estimators using a Bayesian linear regression analysis over this range. We generally recommend the use of $σ_{\rm line}$ or MAD rather than FWHM to obtain a less biased velocity measurement of the CIV emission line, because its narrow-line component contribution is difficult to decompose from the broad-line profile.

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Revisiting the bulge-halo conspiracy I: Dependence on galaxy properties and halo mass

We carry out a systematic investigation of the total mass density profile of massive (Mstar>2e11 Msun) early-type galaxies and its dependence on galactic properties and host halo mass with the aid of a variety of lensing/dynamical data and large mock galaxy catalogs. The latter are produced via semi-empirical models that, by design, are based on just a few basic input assumptions. Galaxies, with measured stellar masses, effective radii and Sérsic indices, are assigned, via abundance matching relations, host dark matter halos characterized by a typical LCDM profile. Our main results are as follows: (i) In line with observational evidence, our semi-empirical models naturally predict that the total, mass-weighted density slope at the effective radius gamma' is not universal, steepening for more compact and/or massive galaxies, but flattening with increasing host halo mass. (ii) Models characterized by a Salpeter or variable initial mass function and uncontracted dark matter profiles are in good agreement with the data, while a Chabrier initial mass function and/or adiabatic contractions/expansions of the dark matter halos are highly disfavored. (iii) Currently available data on the mass density profiles of very massive galaxies (Mstar>1e12 Msun), with Mhalo>3e14 Msun, favor instead models with a stellar profile flatter than a Sérsic one in the very inner regions (r<3-5 kpc), and a cored NFW or Einasto dark matter profile with median halo concentration a factor of ~2 or <1.3, respectively, higher than those typically predicted by N-body numerical simulations.

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The Grism Lens-Amplified Survey from Space (GLASS). XI. Detection of CIV in Multiple Images of $z=6.11$ Ly$α$ Emitter Behind RXCJ2248.7-4431

The CIII] and CIV rest-frame UV emission lines are powerful probes of the ionizations states of galaxies. They have furthermore been suggested as alternatives for spectroscopic redshift confirmation of objects at the epoch of reionization ($z>6$), where the most frequently used redshift indicator, Ly$α$, is attenuated by the high fraction of neutral hydrogen in the inter-galactic medium. However, currently only very few confirmations of carbon UV lines at these high redshifts exist, making it challenging to quantify these claims. Here, we present the detection of CIV$λλ$1548,1551Å in \HST\ slitless grism spectroscopy obtained by GLASS of a Ly$α$ emitter at $z=6.11$ multiply imaged by the massive foreground galaxy cluster RXJ2248. The CIV emission is detected at the 3--5$σ$ level in two images of the source, with marginal detection in two other images. We do not detect significant CIII]$λλ$1907,1909Å emission implying an equivalent width EW$_\textrm{CIII]}<20$Å (1$σ$) and $\textrm{CIV/CIII}>0.7$ (2$σ$). Combined with limits on the rest-frame UV flux from the HeII$λ$1640Å emission line and the OIII]$λλ$1661,1666Å doublet, we put constraints on the metallicity and the ionization state of the galaxy. The estimated line ratios and equivalent widths do not support a scenario where an AGN is responsible for ionizing the carbon atoms. SED fits including nebular emission lines imply a source with a mass of log(M/M$_\odot)\sim9$, SFR of around 10M$_\odot$/yr, and a young stellar population $<50$Myr old. The source shows a stronger ionizing radiation field than objects with detected CIV emission at $z<2$ and adds to the growing sample of low-mass (log(M/M$_\odot)\lesssim9$) galaxies at the epoch of reionization with strong radiation fields from star formation.

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The Grism lens-amplified survey from space (GLASS). VIII. The influence of the cluster properties on Halpha emitter galaxies at 0.3<z<0.7

Exploiting the data of the Grism Lens-Amplified Survey from Space (GLASS), we characterize the spatial distribution of star formation in 76 high star forming galaxies in 10 clusters at 0.3< z <0.7. All these galaxies are likely restricted to first infall. In a companion paper we contrast the properties of field and cluster galaxies, whereas here we correlate the properties of Hα emitters to a number of tracers of the cluster environment to investigate its role in driving galaxy transformations. Hα emitters are found in the clusters out to 0.5 virial radii, the maximum radius covered by GLASS. The peak of the Hα emission is offset with respect to the peak of the UV-continuum. We decompose this offsets into a radial and tangential component. The radial compo- nent points away from the cluster center in 60% of the cases, with 95% confidence. The decompositions agree with cosmological simulations, i.e. the Hα emission offset correlates with galaxy velocity and ram-pressure stripping signatures. Trends between Hα emitter properties and surface mass density distributions and X-ray emissions emerge only for unrelaxed clusters. The lack of strong correlations with the global environment does not allow us to identify a unique environmental effect originating from the cluster center. In contrast, correla- tions between Hα morphology and local number density emerge. We conclude that local effects, uncorrelated to the cluster-centric radius, play a more important role in shaping galaxy properties.

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First Results from the KMOS Lens-Amplified Spectroscopic Survey (KLASS): Kinematics of Lensed Galaxies at Cosmic Noon

We present the first results of the KMOS Lens-Amplified Spectroscopic Survey (KLASS), a new ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT) large program, doing multi-object integral field spectroscopy of galaxies gravitationally lensed behind seven galaxy clusters selected from the HST Grism Lens-Amplified Survey from Space (GLASS). Using the power of the cluster magnification we are able to reveal the kinematic structure of 25 galaxies at $0.7 \lesssim z \lesssim 2.3$, in four cluster fields, with stellar masses $8 \lesssim \log{(M_\star/M_\odot)} \lesssim 11$. This sample includes 5 sources at $z>1$ with lower stellar masses than in any previous kinematic IFU surveys. Our sample displays a diversity in kinematic structure over this mass and redshift range. The majority of our kinematically resolved sample is rotationally supported, but with a lower ratio of rotational velocity to velocity dispersion than in the local universe, indicating the fraction of dynamically hot disks changes with cosmic time. We find no galaxies with stellar mass $<3 \times 10^9 M_\odot$ in our sample display regular ordered rotation. Using the enhanced spatial resolution from lensing, we resolve a lower number of dispersion dominated systems compared to field surveys, competitive with findings from surveys using adaptive optics. We find that the KMOS IFUs recover emission line flux from HST grism-selected objects more faithfully than slit spectrographs. With artificial slits we estimate slit spectrographs miss on average 60% of the total flux of emission lines, which decreases rapidly if the emission line is spatially offset from the continuum.

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Discovery and first models of the quadruply lensed quasar SDSS J1433+6007

We report the discovery of the quadruply lensed quasar J1433+6007, mined in the SDSS DR12 photometric catalogues using a novel outlier-selection technique, without prior spectroscopic or UV excess information. Discovery data obtained at the Nordic Optical telescope (NOT, La Palma) show nearly identical quasar spectra at $z_s=2.74$ and four quasar images in a fold configuration, one of which sits on a blue arc. The deflector redshift is $z_{l}=0.407,$ from Keck-ESI spectra. We describe the selection procedure, discovery and follow-up, image positions and $BVRi$ magnitudes, and first results and forecasts from simple lens models.

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ALMA [CII] detection of a redshift 7 lensed galaxy behind RXJ1347.1-1145

We present the results of ALMA spectroscopic follow-up of a $z=6.765$ Lyman-$α$ emitting galaxy behind the cluster RXJ1347-1145. We report the detection of [CII]158$μ$m line fully consistent with the Lyman-$α$ redshift and with the peak of the optical emission. Given the magnification of $μ=5.0 \pm 0.3$ the intrinsic (corrected for lensing) luminosity of the [CII] line is $L_{[CII]} =1.4^{+0.2}_{-0.3} \times 10^7L_{\odot}$, which is ${\sim}5$ times fainter than other detections of $z\sim 7$ galaxies. The result indicates that low $L_{[CII]}$ in $z\sim 7$ galaxies compared to the local counterparts might be caused by their low metallicities and/or feedback. The small velocity off-set ($Δv = 20_{-40}^{+140} \rm km/s$) between the Lyman-$α$ and [CII] line is unusual, and may be indicative of ionizing photons escaping.

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The fundamental plane of evolving red nuggets

We present an exploration of the mass structure of a sample of 12 strongly lensed massive, compact early-type galaxies at redshifts $z\sim0.6$ to provide further possible evidence for their inside-out growth. We obtain new ESI/Keck spectroscopy and infer the kinematics of both lens and source galaxies, and combine these with existing photometry to construct (a) the fundamental plane (FP) of the source galaxies and (b) physical models for their dark and luminous mass structure. We find their FP to be tilted towards the virial plane relative to the local FP, and attribute this to their unusual compactness, which causes their kinematics to be totally dominated by the stellar mass as opposed to their dark matter; that their FP is nevertheless still inconsistent with the virial plane implies that both the stellar and dark structure of early-type galaxies is non-homologous. We also find the intrinsic scatter of their FP to be comparable to the local value, indicating that variations in the stellar mass structure outweight variations in the dark halo in the central regions of early-type galaxies. Finally, we show that inference on the dark halo structure -- and, in turn, the underlying physics -- is sensitive to assumptions about the stellar initial mass function (IMF), but that physically-motivated assumptions about the IMF imply haloes with sub-NFW inner density slopes, and may present further evidence for the inside-out growth of compact early-type galaxies via minor mergers and accretion.

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