Ly$\alpha$ Spectra from Multiphase Outflows, and their Connection to Shell Models

Abstract

We perform Lyman-$\alpha$ (Ly$\alpha$) Monte-Carlo radiative transfer calculations on a suite of $2500$ models of multiphase, outflowing media, which are characterized by $14$ parameters. We focus on the Ly$\alpha$ spectra emerging from these media, and investigate which properties are dominant in shaping the emerging Ly$\alpha$ profile. Multiphase models give rise to a wide variety of emerging spectra, including single, double and triple peaked spectra. We find that the dominant parameters in shaping the spectra include (i) the cloud covering factor, $f_c$, in agreement with earlier studies, and (ii) the temperature and number density of residual HI in the hot ionized medium. We attempt to reproduce spectra emerging from multiphase models with `shell models' which are commonly used to fit observed Ly$\alpha$ spectra, and investigate the connection between shell-model parameters and the physical parameters of the clumpy media. In shell models, the neutral hydrogen content of the shell is one of the key parameters controlling Ly$\alpha$ radiative transfer. Because Ly$\alpha$ spectra emerging from multi-phase media depend much less on the neutral hydrogen content of the clumps, the shell model parameters such as HI column density (but also shell velocity and dust content) are generally not well matched to the associated physical parameters of clumpy media.Comment: 13 pages, 13 figures; submitted to ApJ following revision based on referee repor