LAGER Ly$alpha$ Luminosity Function at $zsim7$, Implications for Reionization


Abstract in English

We present a new measurement of the Ly$alpha$ luminosity function at redshift $z=6.9$, finding moderate evolution from $z=5.7$ that is consistent with a fully or largely ionized $zsim7$ intergalactic medium. Our result is based on four fields of the LAGER (Lyman Alpha Galaxies in the Epoch of Reionization) project. Our survey volume of $6.1times10^{6}$ Mpc$^{3}$ is double that of the next largest $zsim 7$ survey. We combine two new LAGER fields (WIDE12 and GAMA15A) with two previously reported LAGER fields (COSMOS and CDFS). In the new fields, we identify $N=95$ new $z=6.9$ Ly$alpha$ emitters (LAEs); characterize our surveys completeness and reliability; and compute Ly$alpha$ luminosity functions. The best-fit Schechter luminosity function parameters for all four LAGER fields are in good general agreement. Two fields (COSMOS and WIDE12) show evidence for a bright-end excess above the Schechter function fit. We find that the Ly$alpha$ luminosity density declines at the same rate as the UV continuum LF from $z=5.7$ to $z=6.9$. This is consistent with an intergalactic medium that was fully ionized as early as redshift $zsim 7$, or with a volume-averaged neutral hydrogen fraction of $x_{HI} < 0.33$ at $1sigma$.

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