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Dusty Star Formation in Extreme Environments: Galaxies and Galaxy Clusters in the Distant Universe
In this thesis, we present a comprehensive study of the dust-obscured star formation (SF) activity in galaxy clusters out to high redshift using infrared (IR) imaging. Using hundreds of galaxy clusters and wide-field far-IR imaging across nine square degrees, we quantify the average star formation rates (SFRs) out to the distant Universe for mass-limited cluster galaxy samples using stacking. We compare the evolution of this SF activity to field galaxies, finding that the evolution in clusters occurs more rapidly than in the field and clusters have field-like SF approximately nine billion years ago, during an epoch before SF quenching becomes effective in massive clusters.
Building on this result, we present new, deep far-IR imaging of 11 spectroscopically-confirmed clusters at high redshift, which allows us to examine the SFRs of individual IR-luminous cluster galaxies as a function of environment. We find a transition from field-like SF to quenching of IR-luminous galaxies in the cluster cores over the redshift range probed. We present the first UV-to-far-IR spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of high redshift cluster galaxies, quantify the cluster-to-cluster variations in SF properties, and compare cluster galaxies to star forming galaxies in the field. In addition, we examine the SEDs of cluster galaxies with measurable emission from black hole accretion and quantify the fraction of these galaxies as a function of environment and redshift, finding an excess at high redshift in the cluster cores. Lastly, we compare dust-obscured SFRs from far-IR to unobscured SFRs from optical emission lines.
In the last section, we present new submillimeter imaging of a massive cluster in the distant Universe. We characterize the FIR/submillimeter SED of IR-luminous cluster galaxies, finding dust temperatures similar to that in field galaxies in the same epoch. We use imaging of dust emission in the optically thin regime to derive the interstellar medium (ISM) masses of cluster galaxies. Through this analysis, we determine that IR-luminous cluster galaxies at high redshift have comparable ISM masses, gas fractions, and gas depletion timescales as field galaxies
Completing the Census of AGN in GOODS-S/HUDF: New Ultra-Deep Radio Imaging and Predictions for JWST
A global understanding of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) and their host
galaxies hinges on completing a census of AGN activity without selection biases
down to the low-luminosity regime. Toward that goal, we identify AGN within
faint radio populations at cosmic noon selected from new ultra-deep, high
resolution imaging from the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array at 6 and 3 GHz.
These radio data are spatially coincident with the ultra-deep legacy surveys in
the GOODS-S/HUDF region, particularly the unparalleled Chandra 7 Ms X-ray
imaging. Combined, these datasets provide a unique basis for a thorough census
of AGN, allowing simultaneous identification via (1) high X-ray luminosity; (2)
hard X-ray spectra; (3) excess X-ray relative to 6 GHz; (4) mid-IR colors; (5)
SED fitting; (6) radio excess via the radio-infrared relation; (7) flat radio
spectra via multi-band radio; and (8) optical spectroscopy. We uncover AGN in
fully half our faint radio sample, indicating a source density of one AGN
arcmin, with a similar number of radio-undetected AGN identified via
X-ray over the same area. Our radio-detected AGN are majority radio-quiet, with
radio emission consistent with being powered predominantly by star formation.
Nevertheless, we find AGN radio signatures in our sample: with radio
excess indicating radio-loud activity and of radio-quiet AGN
candidates with flat or inverted radio spectra. The latter is a lower limit,
pending our upcoming deeper 3 GHz survey. Finally, despite these extensive
datasets, this work is likely still missing heavily obscured AGN. We discuss in
detail this elusive population and the prospects for completing our AGN census
with JWST/MIRI.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ. 30 pages, 13 figures, 2 tables, 2
appendices. Minor update to fix typos and better match published versio
The Spectral Energy Distribution and Infrared Luminosities of z ≈ 2 Dust-obscured Galaxies from Herschel and Spitzer
Dust-obscured galaxies (DOGs) are a subset of high-redshift (z ≈ 2) optically-faint ultra-luminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs, e.g., L_(IR) > 10^(12) L_☉). We present new far-infrared photometry, at 250, 350, and 500 μm (observed-frame), from the Herschel Space Telescope for a large sample of 113 DOGs with spectroscopically measured redshifts. Approximately 60% of the sample are detected in the far-IR. The Herschel photometry allows the first robust determinations of the total infrared luminosities of a large sample of DOGs, confirming their high IR luminosities, which range from 10^(11.6) L_☉ 10^(13) L_☉. The rest-frame near-IR (1-3 μm) spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of the Herschel-detected DOGs are predictors of their SEDs at longer wavelengths. DOGs with "power-law" SEDs in the rest-frame near-IR show observed-frame 250/24 μm flux density ratios similar to the QSO-like local ULIRG, Mrk 231. DOGs with a stellar "bump" in their rest-frame near-IR show observed-frame 250/24 μm flux density ratios similar to local star-bursting ULIRGs like NGC 6240. None show 250/24 μm flux density ratios similar to extreme local ULIRG, Arp 220; though three show 350/24 μm flux density ratios similar to Arp 220. For the Herschel-detected DOGs, accurate estimates (within ~25%) of total IR luminosity can be predicted from their rest-frame mid-IR data alone (e.g., from Spitzer observed-frame 24 μm luminosities). Herschel-detected DOGs tend to have a high ratio of infrared luminosity to rest-frame 8 μm luminosity (the IR8 = L_(IR)(8-1000 μm)/νL_ν(8 μm) parameter of Elbaz et al.). Instead of lying on the z = 1-2 "infrared main sequence" of star-forming galaxies (like typical LIRGs and ULIRGs at those epochs) the DOGs, especially large fractions of the bump sources, tend to lie in the starburst sequence. While, Herschel-detected DOGs are similar to scaled up versions of local ULIRGs in terms of 250/24 μm flux density ratio, and IR8, they tend to have cooler far-IR dust temperatures (20-40 K for DOGs versus 40-50 K for local ULIRGs) as measured by the rest-frame 80/115 μm flux density ratios (e.g., observed-frame 250/350 μm ratios at z = 2). DOGs that are not detected by Herschel appear to have lower observed-frame 250/24 μm ratios than the detected sample, either because of warmer dust temperatures, lower IR luminosities, or both
A Connection between Obscuration and Star Formation in Luminous Quasars
We present a measurement of the star formation properties of a uniform sample of mid-IR selected, unobscured and obscured quasars (QSO1s and QSO2s) in the Bo\ otes survey region. We use an spectral energy distribution (SED) analysis for photometric data spanning optical to far-IR wavelengths to decompose AGN and host galaxy components. We find that when compared to a matched sample of QSO1s, the QSO2s have higher far-IR detection fractions, far-IR fluxes and infrared star formation luminosities (LSFIR) by a factor of ∼2. Correspondingly, we show that the AGN obscured fraction rises from 0.3 to 0.7 between 4−40×1011L⊙. We also find evidence associating the absorption in the X-ray emission with the presence of far-IR emitting dust. Overall, these results are consistent with galaxy evolution models in which quasar obscurations can be associated with a dust-enshrouded starburst galaxie
CO J=2-1 line emission in cluster galaxies at z~1: fueling star formation in dense environments
We present observations of CO J=2-1 line emission in infrared-luminous
cluster galaxies at z~1 using the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer. Our two
primary targets are optically faint, dust-obscured galaxies (DOGs) found to lie
within 2 Mpc of the centers of two massive (>10^14 Msun) galaxy clusters. CO
line emission is not detected in either DOG. We calculate 3-sigma upper limits
to the CO J=2-1 line luminosities, L'_CO < 6.08x10^9 and < 6.63x10^9 K km/s
pc^2. Assuming a CO-to-H_2 conversion factor derived for ultraluminous infrared
galaxies in the local Universe, this translates to limits on the cold molecular
gas mass of M_H_2 < 4.86x10^9 Msun and M_H_2 < 5.30x10^9 Msun. Both DOGs
exhibit mid-infrared continuum emission that follows a power-law, suggesting
that an AGN contributes to the dust heating. As such, estimates of the star
formation efficiencies in these DOGs are uncertain. A third cluster member with
an infrared luminosity, L_IR < 7.4x10^11 Lsun, is serendipitously detected in
CO J=2-1 line emission in the field of one of the DOGs located roughly two
virial radii away from the cluster center. The optical spectrum of this object
suggests that it is likely an obscured AGN, and the measured CO line luminosity
is L'_CO = (1.94 +/- 0.35)x10^10 K km/s pc^2, which leads to an estimated cold
molecular gas mass M_H_2 = (1.55+/-0.28)x10^10 Msun. A significant reservoir of
molecular gas in a z~1 galaxy located away from the cluster center demonstrates
that the fuel can exist to drive an increase in star-formation and AGN activity
at the outskirts of high-redshift clusters.Comment: 22 pages, 4 figures; accepted for publication in Ap
Star Formation and AGN Activity in Galaxy Clusters from : a Multi-wavelength Analysis Featuring /PACS
We present a detailed, multi-wavelength study of star formation (SF) and AGN
activity in 11 near-infrared (IR) selected, spectroscopically confirmed,
massive () galaxy clusters at . Using
new, deep /PACS imaging, we characterize the optical to far-IR
spectral energy distributions (SEDs) for IR-luminous cluster galaxies, finding
that they can, on average, be well described by field galaxy templates.
Identification and decomposition of AGN through SED fittings allows us to
include the contribution to cluster SF from AGN host galaxies. We quantify the
star-forming fraction, dust-obscured SF rates (SFRs), and specific-SFRs for
cluster galaxies as a function of cluster-centric radius and redshift. In good
agreement with previous studies, we find that SF in cluster galaxies at
is largely consistent with field galaxies at similar epochs,
indicating an era before significant quenching in the cluster cores
(Mpc). This is followed by a transition to lower SF activity as
environmental quenching dominates by . Enhanced SFRs are found in lower
mass () cluster galaxies. We
find significant variation in SF from cluster-to-cluster within our uniformly
selected sample, indicating that caution should be taken when evaluating
individual clusters. We examine AGN in clusters from , finding an
excess AGN fraction at , suggesting environmental triggering of AGN
during this epoch. We argue that our results a transition from field-like
to quenched SF, enhanced SF in lower mass galaxies in the cluster cores, and
excess AGN are consistent with a co-evolution between SF and AGN in
clusters and an increased merger rate in massive haloes at high redshift.Comment: 26 pages, 14 figures, 6 tables with appendix, accepted for
publication in the Astrophysical Journa
Measuring the Total Ultraviolet Light from Galaxy Clusters at z=0.5-1.6: The Balance of Obscured and Unobscured Star-Formation
Combined observations from UV to IR wavelengths are necessary to fully
account for the star-formation in galaxy clusters. Low mass (log M/Msun<10)
galaxies are typically not individualy detected, particularly at higher
redshifts (z~1-2) where galaxy clusters are undergoing rapid transitions from
hosting mostly active, dust-obscured star-forming galaxies to quiescent,
passive galaxies. To account for these undetected galaxies, we measure the
total light emerging from GALEX/NUV stacks of galaxy clusters between
z=0.5-1.6. Combined with existing measurements from Spitzer, WISE, and
Herschel, we study the average UV through far-infrared (IR) spectral energy
distribution (SED) of clusters. From the SEDs, we measure the total stellar
mass and amount of dust-obscured and unobscured star-formation arising from all
cluster-member galaxies, including the low mass population. The relative
fraction of unobscured star-formation we observe in the UV is consistent with
what is observed in field galaxies. There is tentative evidence for lower than
expected unobscured star-formation at z~0.5, which may arise from rapid
redshift evolution in the low mass quenching efficiency in clusters reported by
other studies. Finally, the GALEX data places strong constraints on derived
stellar-to-halo mass ratios at z<1 which anti-correlate with the total halo
mass, consistent with trends found from local X-ray observations of clusters.
The data exhibit steeper slopes than implementations of the cluster
star-formation efficiency in semi-analytical models.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, accepted to Ap
Submm/mm Galaxy Counterpart Identification Using a Characteristic Density Distribution
We present a new submm/mm galaxy counterpart identification technique which
builds on the use of Spitzer IRAC colors as discriminators between likely
counterparts and the general IRAC galaxy population. Using 102 radio- and
SMA-confirmed counterparts to AzTEC sources across three fields (GOODS-N,
GOODS-S, and COSMOS), we develop a non-parametric IRAC color-color
characteristic density distribution (CDD), which, when combined with positional
uncertainty information via likelihood ratios, allows us to rank all potential
IRAC counterparts around SMGs and calculate the significance of each ranking
via the reliability factor. We report all robust and tentative radio
counterparts to SMGs, the first such list available for AzTEC/COSMOS, as well
as the highest ranked IRAC counterparts for all AzTEC SMGs in these fields as
determined by our technique. We demonstrate that the technique is free of radio
bias and thus applicable regardless of radio detections. For observations made
with a moderate beamsize (~18"), this technique identifies ~85 per cent of SMG
counterparts. For much larger beamsizes (>30"), we report identification rates
of 33-49 per cent. Using simulations, we demonstrate that this technique is an
improvement over using positional information alone for observations with
facilities such as AzTEC on the LMT and SCUBA-2 on JCMT.Comment: 30 pages, 9 figures, 5 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRA
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