We unveil the complex shape of a proto-supercluster at z ∼ 2.45 in the COSMOS field exploiting the synergy of both spectroscopic and photometric redshifts. Thanks to the spectroscopic redshifts of ...the VIMOS Ultra-Deep Survey (VUDS), complemented by the zCOSMOS-Deep spectroscopic sample and high-quality photometric redshifts, we compute the three-dimensional (3D) overdensity field in a volume of ∼100 × 100 × 250 comoving Mpc3 in the central region of the COSMOS field, centred at z ∼ 2.45 along the line of sight. The method relies on a two-dimensional (2D) Voronoi tessellation in overlapping redshift slices that is converted into a 3D density field, where the galaxy distribution in each slice is constructed using a statistical treatment of both spectroscopic and photometric redshifts. In this volume, we identify a proto-supercluster, dubbed “Hyperion” for its immense size and mass, which extends over a volume of ∼60 × 60 × 150 comoving Mpc3 and has an estimated total mass of ∼4.8 × 1015 M⊙. This immensely complex structure contains at least seven density peaks within 2.4 ≲ z ≲ 2.5 connected by filaments that exceed the average density of the volume. We estimate the total mass of the individual peaks, Mtot, based on their inferred average matter density, and find a range of masses from ∼0.1 × 1014 M⊙ to ∼2.7 × 1014 M⊙. By using spectroscopic members of each peak, we obtain the velocity dispersion of the galaxies in the peaks, and then their virial mass Mvir (under the strong assumption that they are virialised). The agreement between Mvir and Mtot is surprisingly good, at less than 1−2σ, considering that (almost all) the peaks are probably not yet virialised. According to the spherical collapse model, these peaks have already started or are about to start collapsing, and they are all predicted to be virialised by redshift z ∼ 0.8−1.6. We finally perform a careful comparison with the literature, given that smaller components of this proto-supercluster had previously been identified using either heterogeneous galaxy samples (Lyα emitters, sub-mm starbursting galaxies, CO emitting galaxies) or 3D Lyα forest tomography on a smaller area. With VUDS, we obtain, for the first time across the central ∼1 deg2 of the COSMOS field, a panoramic view of this large structure, that encompasses, connects, and considerably expands in a homogeneous way on all previous detections of the various sub-components. The characteristics of this exceptional proto-supercluster, its redshift, its richness over a large volume, the clear detection of its sub-components, together with the extensive multi-wavelength imaging and spectroscopy granted by the COSMOS field, provide us the unique possibility to study a rich supercluster in formation.
We present the ancillary data and basic physical measurements for the galaxies in the ALMA Large Program to Investigate C+ at Early Times (ALPINE) survey-the first large multiwavelength survey that ...aims at characterizing the gas and dust properties of 118 main-sequence galaxies at redshifts 4.4 < z < 5.9 via the measurement of emission at (64% at >3.5 ) and the surrounding far-infrared continuum in conjunction with a wealth of optical and near-infrared data. We outline in detail the spectroscopic data and selection of the galaxies as well as the ground- and space-based imaging products. In addition, we provide several basic measurements including stellar masses, star formation rates (SFR), rest-frame ultra-violet (UV) luminosities, UV continuum slopes (β), and absorption line redshifts, as well as H emission derived from Spitzer colors. We find that the ALPINE sample is representative of the 4 < z < 6 galaxy population selected by photometric methods and only slightly biased toward bluer colors (Δβ ∼ 0.2). Using as tracer of the systemic redshift (confirmed for one galaxy at z = 4.5 out of 118 for which we obtained optical λ3727 emission), we confirm redshifted Ly emission and blueshifted absorption lines similar to findings at lower redshifts. By stacking the rest-frame UV spectra in the rest frame, we find that the absorption lines in galaxies with high specific SFR are more blueshifted, which could be indicative of stronger winds and outflows.
Context. Determining the average fraction of Lyman continuum (LyC) photons escaping high redshift galaxies is essential for understanding how reionization proceeded in the z> 6 Universe. Aims. We ...want to measure the LyC signal from a sample of sources in the Chandra Deep Field South (CDFS) and COSMOS fields for which ultra-deep VIMOS spectroscopy as well as multi-wavelength Hubble Space Telescope (HST) imaging are available. Methods. We select a sample of 46 galaxies at z ~ 4 from the VIMOS Ultra Deep Survey (VUDS) database, such that the VUDS spectra contain the LyC part, that is, the rest-frame range 880−910 Å. Taking advantage of the HST imaging, we apply a careful cleaning procedure and reject all the sources showing nearby clumps with different colours, that could potentially be lower-redshift interlopers. After this procedure, the sample is reduced to 33 galaxies. We measure the ratio between ionizing flux (LyC at 895 Å) and non-ionizing emission (at ~ 1500 Å) for all individual sources. We also produce a normalized stacked spectrum of all sources. Results. Assuming an intrinsic average Lν(1470) /Lν(895) of 3, we estimate the individual and average relative escape fraction. We do not detect ionizing radiation from any individual source, although we identify a possible LyC emitter with very high Lyα equivalent width (EW). From the stacked spectrum and assuming a mean transmissivity for the sample, we measure a relative escape fraction f escrel = 0.09 ± 0.04. We also look for correlations between the limits in the LyC flux and source properties and find a tentative correlation between LyC flux and the EW of the Lyα emission line. Conclusions. Our results imply that the LyC flux emitted by V = 25−26 star-forming galaxies at z ~ 4 is at most very modest, in agreement with previous upper limits from studies based on broad and narrow band imaging.
Using spectroscopic observations taken for the Visible Multi-Object Spectrograph (VIMOS) Ultra-Deep Survey (VUDS) we report here on the discovery of PCl J1001+0220, a massive proto-cluster of ...galaxies located at zspec ~ 4.57 in the COSMOS field. With nine spectroscopic members, the proto-cluster was initially detected as a ~12σ spectroscopic overdensity of typical star-forming galaxies in the blind spectroscopic survey of the early universe (2 < z ≲ 6) performed by VUDS. It was further mapped using a new technique developed which statistically combines spectroscopic and photometric redshifts, the latter derived from a recent compilation of incredibly deep multi-band imaging performed on the COSMOS field. Through various methods, the descendant mass of PCl J1001+0220 is estimated to be log (Mh/M⊙)z=0 $\log(\mathcal{M}_{h}/\mathcal{M}_{\odot})_{z=0}$log(Mh/M⊙)z=0 ~ 14.5–15 with a large amount of mass apparently already in place at z ~ 4.57. An exhaustive comparison was made between the properties of various spectroscopic and photometric member samples and matched samples of galaxies inhabiting less dense environments at the same redshifts. Tentative evidence is found for a fractional excess of older galaxies more massive in their stellar content amongst the member samples relative to the coeval field, an observation which suggests the pervasive early onset of vigorous star formation for proto-cluster galaxies. No evidence is found for the differences in the star formation rates (SFRs) of member and coeval field galaxies either through estimating by means of the rest-frame ultraviolet or through separately stacking extremely deep Very Large Array 3 GHz imaging for both samples. Additionally, no evidence for pervasive strong active galactic nuclei (AGN) activity is observed in either environment. Analysis of Hubble Space Telescope images of both sets of galaxies as well as their immediate surroundings provides weak evidence for an elevated incidence of galaxy–galaxy interaction within the bounds of the proto-cluster. The stacked and individual spectral properties of the two samples are compared, with a definite suppression of Lyα seen in the average member galaxy relative to the coeval field ( fesc, Lyα = 1.8−1.7+0.3 $f_{esc, \, \textrm{Ly}\alpha} = 1.8^{+0.3}_{-1.7}$fesc, Lyα=1.8−1.7+0.3% and 4.0−0.8+1.0 $4.0^{+1.0}_{-0.8}$4.0−0.8+1.0%, respectively). This observation along with other lines of evidence leads us to infer the possible presence of a large, cool, diffuse medium within the proto-cluster environment evocative of a nascent intracluster medium forming in the early universe.
Context.
The star formation rate density (SFRD) evolution presents an area of great interest in the studies of galaxy evolution and reionization. The current constraints of SFRD at
z
> 5 are based ...on the rest-frame UV luminosity functions with the data from photometric surveys. The VIMOS UltraDeep Survey (VUDS) was designed to observe galaxies at redshifts up to ∼6 and opened a window for measuring SFRD at
z
> 5 from a spectroscopic sample with a well-controlled selection function.
Aims.
We establish a robust statistical description of the star-forming galaxy population at the end of cosmic HI reionization (5.0 ≤
z
≤ 6.6) from a large sample of 49 galaxies with spectroscopically confirmed redshifts. We determine the rest-frame UV and Ly
α
luminosity functions and use them to calculate SFRD at the median redshift of our sample
z
= 5.6.
Methods.
We selected a sample of galaxies at 5.0 ≤
z
spec
≤ 6.6 from the VUDS. We cleaned our sample from low redshift interlopers using ancillary photometric data. We identified galaxies with Ly
α
either in absorption or in emission, at variance with most spectroscopic samples in the literature where Ly
α
emitters (LAE) dominate. We determined luminosity functions using the 1/
V
max
method.
Results.
The galaxies in this redshift range exhibit a large range in their properties. A fraction of our sample shows strong Ly
α
emission, while another fraction shows Ly
α
in absorption. UV-continuum slopes vary with luminosity, with a large dispersion. We find that star-forming galaxies at these redshifts are distributed along the main sequence in the stellar mass vs. SFR plane, described with a slope
α
= 0.85 ± 0.05. We report a flat evolution of the specific SFR compared to lower redshift measurements. We find that the UV luminosity function is best reproduced by a double power law, while a fit with a Schechter function is only marginally inferior. The Ly
α
luminosity function is best fitted with a Schechter function. We derive a logSFRD
UV
(
M
⊙
yr
−1
Mpc
−3
) = −1.45
+0.06
−0.08
and logSFRD
Ly
α
(
M
⊙
yr
−1
Mpc
−3
) = −1.40
+0.07
−0.08
. The SFRD derived from the Ly
α
luminosity function is in excellent agreement with the UV-derived SFRD after correcting for IGM absorption.
Conclusions.
Our new SFRD measurements at a mean redshift of
z
= 5.6 are ∼0.2 dex above the mean SFRD reported in Madau & Dickinson (2014, ARA&A, 52, 415), but in excellent agreement with results from Bouwens et al. (2015a, ApJ, 803, 34). These measurements confirm the steep decline of the SFRD at
z
> 2. The bright end of the Ly
α
luminosity function has a high number density, indicating a significant star formation activity concentrated in the brightest LAE at these redshifts. LAE with equivalent width EW > 25 Å contribute to about 75% of the total UV-derived SFRD. While our analysis favors low dust content in 5.0 <
z
< 6.6, uncertainties on the dust extinction correction and associated degeneracy in spectral fitting will remain an issue, when estimating the total SFRD until future surveys extending spectroscopy to the NIR rest-frame spectral domain, such as with JWST.
Context. Submillimetre galaxies (SMGs) represent an important source population in the origin and cosmic evolution of the most massive galaxies. Hence, it is imperative to place firm constraints on ...the fundamental physical properties of large samples of SMGs. Aims. We determine the physical properties of a sample of SMGs in the COSMOS field that were pre-selected at the observed-frame wavelength of λobs = 1.1 mm, and followed up at λobs = 1.3 mm with the Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA). Methods. We used the MAGPHYS model package to fit the panchromatic (ultraviolet to radio) spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of 124 of the target SMGs, which lie at a median redshift of z = 2.30 (19.4% are spectroscopically confirmed). The SED analysis was complemented by estimating the gas masses of the SMGs by using the λobs = 1.3 mm dust emission as a tracer of the molecular gas component. Results. The sample median and 16th–84th percentile ranges of the stellar masses, obscured star formation rates, dust temperatures, and dust and gas masses were derived to be log(M⋆/M⊙) = 11.09+0.41-0.53, SFR = 402+661-233 M⊙ yr-1, Tdust = 39.7+9.7-7.4 K, log(Mdust/M⊙) = 9.01+0.20-0.31, and log(Mgas/M⊙ = 11.34+0.20-0.23, respectively. The Mdust/M⋆ ratio was found to decrease as a function of redshift, while the Mgas/Mdust ratio shows the opposite, positive correlation with redshift. The derived median gas-to-dust ratio of 120+73-30 agrees well with the canonical expectation. The gas fraction (Mgas/ (Mgas + M⋆)) was found to range from 0.10 to 0.98 with a median of 0.62+0.27-0.23. We found that 57.3% of our SMGs populate the main sequence (MS) of star-forming galaxies, while 41.9% of the sources lie above the MS by a factor of greater than three (one source lies below the MS). These super-MS objects, or starbursts, are preferentially found at z ≳ 3, which likely reflects the sensitivity limit of our source selection. We estimated that the median gas consumption timescale for our SMGs is ~535 Myr, and the super-MS sources appear to consume their gas reservoir faster than their MS counterparts. We found no obvious stellar mass–size correlations for our SMGs, where the sizes were measured in the observed-frame 3 GHz radio emission and rest-frame UV. However, the largest 3 GHz radio sizes are found among the MS sources. Those SMGs that appear irregular in the rest-frame UV are predominantly starbursts, while the MS SMGs are mostly disk-like. Conclusions. The physical parameter distributions of our SMGs and those of the equally bright, 870 μm selected SMGs in the ECDFS field (the so-called ALESS SMGs) are unlikely to be drawn from common parent distributions. This might reflect the difference in the pre-selection wavelength. Albeit being partly a selection bias, the abrupt jump in specific SFR and the offset from the MS of our SMGs at z ≳ 3 might also reflect a more efficient accretion from the cosmic gas streams, higher incidence of gas-rich major mergers, or higher star formation efficiency at z ≳ 3. We found a rather flat average trend between the SFR and dust mass, but a positive SFR−Mgas correlation. However, to address the questions of which star formation law(s) our SMGs follow, and how they compare with the Kennicutt-Schmidt law, the dust-emitting sizes of our sources need to be measured. Nonetheless, the larger radio-emitting sizes of the MS SMGs compared to starbursts is a likely indication of their more widespread, less intense star formation activity. The irregular rest-frame UV morphologies of the starburst SMGs are likely to echo their merger nature. The current stellar mass content of the studied SMGs is very high, so they must quench to form the so-called red-and-dead massive ellipticals. Our results suggest that the transition from high-z SMGs to local ellipticals via compact, quiescent galaxies (cQGs) at z ~ 2 might not be universal, and the latter population might also descend from the so-called blue nuggets. However, z ≳ 4 SMGs could be the progenitors of higher redshift, z ≳ 3 cQGs, while our results are also consistent with the possibility that ultra-massive early-type galaxies found at 1.2 ≲ z ≲ 2 experienced an SMG phase at z ≤ 3.
Context. The study of statistically significant samples of star-forming dwarf galaxies (SFDGs) at different cosmic epochs is essential for the detailed understanding of galaxy assembly and chemical ...evolution. However, the main properties of this large population of galaxies at intermediate redshift are still poorly known. Aims. We present the discovery and spectrophotometric characterization of a large sample of 164 faint (iAB~ 23–25 mag) SFDGs at redshift 0.13 ≤ z ≤ 0.88 selected by the presence of bright optical emission lines in the VIMOS Ultra Deep Survey (VUDS). We investigate their integrated physical properties and ionization conditions, which are used to discuss the low-mass end of the mass-metallicity relation (MZR) and other key scaling relations. Methods. We use optical VUDS spectra in the COSMOS, VVDS-02h, and ECDF-S fields, as well as deep multi-wavelength photometry that includes HST-ACS F814W imaging, to derive stellar masses, extinction-corrected star-formation rates (SFR), and gas-phase metallicities of SFDGs. For the latter, we use the direct method and a Te-consistent approach based on the comparison of a set of observed emission lines ratios with the predictions of detailed photoionization models. Results. The VUDS SFDGs are compact (median re~ 1.2 kpc), low-mass (M∗~ 107–109M⊙) galaxies with a wide range of star-formation rates (SFR(Hα) ~ 10-3–101M⊙/yr) and morphologies. Overall, they show a broad range of subsolar metallicities (12 +log (O/H) =7.26–8.7; 0.04 ≲Z/Z⊙≲ 1). Nearly half of the sample are extreme emission-line galaxies (EELGs) characterized by high equivalent widths and emission line ratios indicative of higher excitation and ionization conditions. The MZR of SFDGs shows a flatter slope compared to previous studies of galaxies in the same mass range and redshift. We find the scatter of the MZR is partly explained in the low mass range by varying specific SFRs and gas fractions amongst the galaxies in our sample. In agreement with recent studies, we find the subclass of EELGs to be systematically offset to lower metallicity compared to SFDGs at a given stellar mass and SFR, suggesting a younger starburst phase. Compared with simple chemical evolution models we find that most SFDGs do not follow the predictions of a “closed-box” model, but those from a gas-regulating model in which gas flows are considered. While strong stellar feedback may produce large-scale outflows favoring the cessation of vigorous star formation and promoting the removal of metals, younger and more metal-poor dwarfs may have recently accreted large amounts of fresh, very metal-poor gas, that is used to fuel current star formation.
Abstract
We present the C II 158
μ
m line luminosity functions (LFs) at
z
∼ 4–6 using the ALMA observations of 118 sources, which are selected to have UV luminosity
M
1500Å
< −20.2 and optical ...spectroscopic redshifts in COSMOS and ECDF-S. Of the 118 targets, 75 have significant C II detections and 43 are upper limits. This is by far the largest sample of C II detections, which allows us to set constraints on the volume density of C II emitters at
z
∼ 4–6. But because this is a UV-selected sample, we are missing C II-bright but UV-faint sources, making our constraints strict lower limits. Our derived LFs are statistically consistent with the
z
∼ 0 C II LF at 10
8.25
–10
9.75
L
⊙
. We compare our results with the upper limits of the C II LF derived from serendipitous sources in the ALPINE maps. We also infer the C II LFs based on published far-IR and CO LFs at
z
∼ 4–6. Combining our robust lower limits with these additional estimates, we set further constraints on the true number density of C II emitters at
z
∼ 4–6. These additional LF estimates are largely above our LF at
L
CII
> 10
9
L
⊙
, suggesting that UV-faint but C II-bright sources likely make significant contributions to the C II emitter volume density. When we include all the LF estimates, we find that available model predictions underestimate the number densities of C II emitters at
z
∼ 4–6. Finally, we set a constraint on the molecular gas mass density at
z
∼ 4–6, with
ρ
mol
∼ (2–7) × 10
7
M
⊙
Mpc
−3
. This is broadly consistent with previous studies.
We present the VIMOS Ultra Deep Survey (VUDS), a spectroscopic redshift survey of ~10 000 very faint galaxies to study the main phase of galaxy assembly in 2 < z ≃ 6. The survey covers 1 deg2 in ...three separate fields: COSMOS, ECDFS, and VVDS-02h, with the selection of targets based on an inclusive combination of photometric redshifts and colour properties. Spectra covering 3650 < λ < 9350 Å are obtained with VIMOS on the ESO-VLT with integration times of 14h. Here we present the survey strategy, target selection, data processing, and the redshift measurement process with an emphasis on the specific methods used to adapt to this high-redshift range. We discuss the spectra quality and redshift reliability and derive a success rate in redshift measurement of 91%, or 74% by limiting the dataset to the most reliable measurements, down to a limiting magnitude iAB = 25. Measurements are performed all the way down to iAB = 27. The mean redshift of the main sample is z ~ 3 and extends over a broad redshift range mainly in 2 < z < 6. At 3 < z < 5, the galaxies cover a wide range of luminosities −23 < MNUV < −20.5, stellar mass 109M⊙ < M∗ < 1011M⊙, and star formation rates 1M⊙/yr < SFR < 103M⊙/yr. We discuss the spectral properties of galaxies using individual as well asstacked spectra. The comparison between spectroscopic and photometric redshifts as well as colour selection demonstrate the effectiveness of our selection scheme. From about ~ 90% of the data analysed so far, we expect to assemble >6000 galaxies with reliable spectroscopic redshifts in 2 < z < 6 when complete. This makes the VUDS the largest survey at these redshifts and offers the opportunity for unprecedented studies of the star-forming galaxy population and its distribution in large-scale structures during the main phase of galaxy assembly.
Aims. The aim of this work is to constrain the evolution of the fraction of strong Lyα emitters among UV selected star-forming galaxies at 2 <z< 6, and to measure the stellar escape fraction of Lyα ...photons over the same redshift range. Methods. We exploit the ultradeep spectroscopic observations with VIMOS on the VLT collected by the VIMOS Ultra-Deep Survey (VUDS) to build an unique, complete, and unbiased sample of ~4000 spectroscopically confirmed star-forming galaxies at 2 <z< 6. Our galaxy sample includes UV luminosities brighter than M*FUV at 2 <z< 6, and luminosities down to one magnitude fainter than M*FUV at 2 <z< 3.5. Results. We find that 80% of the star-forming galaxies in our sample have EW0(Lyα) < 10 Å, and correspondingly fesc(Lyα) < 1%. By comparing these results with the literature, we conclude that the bulk of the Lyα luminosity at 2 <z< 6 comes from galaxies that are fainter in the UV than those we sample in this work. The strong Lyα emitters constitute, at each redshift, the tail of the distribution of the galaxies with extreme EW0(Lyα) and fesc(Lyα). This tail of large EW0(Lyα) and fesc(Lyα) becomes more important as the redshift increases, and causes the fraction of strong Lyα with EW0(Lyα) > 25 Å to increase from ~5% at z ~ 2 to ~30% at z ~ 6, with the increase being stronger beyond z ~ 4. We observe no difference, for the narrow range of UV luminosities explored in this work, between the fraction of strong Lyα emitters among galaxies fainter or brighter than M*FUV, although the fraction for the faint galaxies evolves faster, at 2 <z< 3.5, than for the bright ones. We do observe an anticorrelation between E(B − V) and fesc(Lyα): generally galaxies with high fesc(Lyα) also have small amounts of dust (and vice versa). However, when the dust content is low (E(B − V) < 0.05) we observe a very broad range of fesc(Lyα), ranging from 10-3 to 1. This implies that the dust alone is not the only regulator of the amount of escaping Lyα photons.
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