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  • Observational Constraints o...
    Fan, Xiaohui; Carilli, C.L.; Keating, B.

    Annual review of astronomy and astrophysics, 01/2006, Letnik: 44, Številka: 1
    Journal Article

    Observations have set the first constraints on the epoch of reionization (EoR), corresponding to the formation epoch of the first luminous objects. Studies of Gunn-Peterson (GP) absorption indicate a rapid increase in the neutral fraction of the intergalactic medium (IGM) from x HI < 10 −4 at z ≤ 5.5, to x HI > 10 −3 , perhaps up to 0.1, at z∼6, while the large scale polarization of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) implies a significant ionization fraction extending to higher redshifts, z∼11 ± 3. These results, as well as observations of galaxy populations, suggest that reionization is a process that begins as early as z∼14, and ends with the “percolation” phase at z∼6 to 8. Low luminosity star-forming galaxies are likely the dominant sources of reionizing photons. Future low-frequency radio telescopes will make direct measurements of HI 21-cm emission from the neutral IGM during the EoR, and measurements of secondary CMB temperature anisotropy will provide details of the dynamics of the reionized IGM.