Title: Cosmic reionization on computers: The faint end of the galaxy luminosity function

Abstract

Using numerical cosmological simulations completed under the “Cosmic Reionization On Computers” project, I explore theoretical predictions for the faint end of the galaxy UV luminosity functions at $$z\gtrsim 6$$. A commonly used Schechter function approximation with the magnitude cut at $${M}_{{\rm{cut}}}\sim -13$$ provides a reasonable fit to the actual luminosity function of simulated galaxies. When the Schechter functional form is forced on the luminosity functions from the simulations, the magnitude cut $${M}_{{\rm{cut}}}$$ is found to vary between -12 and -14 with a mild redshift dependence. Here, an analytical model of reionization from Madau et al., as used by Robertson et al., provides a good description of the simulated results, which can be improved even further by adding two physically motivated modifications to the original Madau et al. equation.

Authors:

Gnedin, Nickolay Y. ^[1]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Fermi National Accelerator Lab. (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States); Univ. of Chicago, Chicago, IL (United States)

Publication Date:

Fri Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2016

Research Org.:

Fermi National Accelerator Lab. (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP)

OSTI Identifier:

1260386

Report Number(s):

FERMILAB-PUB-16-117-A; arXiv:1603.07729
Journal ID: ISSN 2041-8213; 1434942

Grant/Contract Number:  

AC02-07CH11359

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

The Astrophysical Journal. Letters (Online)

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Name: The Astrophysical Journal. Letters (Online); Journal Volume: 825; Journal Issue: 2; Journal ID: ISSN 2041-8213

Publisher:

Institute of Physics (IOP)

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS; cosmology: theory; cosmology: large-scale structure of universe; galaxies: formation; galaxies: intergalactic medium; methods: numerical