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VLT/FORS2 view at z ∼ 6: Lyman-α emitter fraction and galaxy physical properties at the edge of the epoch of cosmic reionization

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

De Barros, S 
Pentericci, L 
Vanzella, E 
Castellano, M 
Fontana, A 

Abstract

The fraction of Lyman-α emitters among the galaxy population has been found to increase from z∼0 to z∼6 and drop dramatically at z>6. This drop has been interpreted as an effect of an increasingly neutral intergalactic medium with increasing redshift, while a LyC escape fraction evolving with redshift. We report the result of a large VLT/FORS2 program aiming to confirm spectroscopically a large galaxy sample at z≥6 that has been selected in several independent fields through the Lyman Break technique. Combining those data with archival data, we create a large and homogeneous sample of z∼6 galaxies (N=127), complete in terms of Lyα detection at >95% for EW(Lyα)≥25\AA. We use this sample to derive a new measurement of the LAE fraction at z∼6 and derive the physical properties of these galaxies through spectral energy distribution fitting. We find a median LAE fraction at z∼6 lower than in previous studies. The main difference between LAEs and non-LAEs is that the latter are significantly dustier. Using predictions of our SED fitting code accounting for nebular emission, we find an effective Lyα escape fraction fesceff(Lyα)=0.23−0.17+0.36 remarkably consistent with the value derived by comparing UV luminosity function with Lyα luminosity function. We conclude that the drop in the LAE fraction from z∼6 to z>6 is less dramatic than previously found and the effect of an increasing IGM neutral fraction is possibly observed at 5<z<6. Based on our derived fesceff(Lyα), we find that the IGM has a relatively small impact on Lyα photon visibility at z∼6, with a lower limit for the IGM transmission to \lya\ photons, TIGM≳0.20, likely due to the presence of outflows. [abdridged]

Description

Keywords

galaxies: high-redshift, galaxies: evolution, dark ages, reionization, first stars

Journal Title

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0004-6361
1432-0746

Volume Title

608

Publisher

EDP Sciences
Sponsorship
Science and Technology Facilities Council (ST/M001172/1)
European Research Council (695671)