Development Of The 2Nd Generation Z(Redshift) And Early Universe Spectrometer & The Study Of Far-Ir Fine Structure Emission In High-Z Galaxies

Other Titles
Abstract
The 2nd generation z (Redshift) and Early Universe Spectrometer (ZEUS-2), is a longslit echelle-grating spectrometer (R~1000) for observations at submillimeter wavelengths from 200 to 850 [mu]m. Its design is optimized for the detection of redshifted far-infrared spectral lines from galaxies in the early universe. Combining exquisite sensitivity, broad wavelength coverage, and large (~2.5%) instantaneous bandwidth, ZEUS-2 is uniquely suited for studying galaxies between z~0.2 and 5-spanning the peaks in both the star formation rate and number of AGN in the universe. ZEUS-2 saw first light at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO) in the Spring of 2012 and was commissioned on the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) in November 2012. Here we detail the design and performance of ZEUS-2, first however we discuss important science results that are examples of the science enabled by ZEUS-2 Using the first generation z (Redshift) and Early Universe Spectrometer (ZEUS-1) we made the first high-z detections of the [NII] 122 [mu]m and [OIII] 88 [mu]m lines. We detect these lines from starburst galaxies between z ~2.5 and 4 demonstrating the utility of these lines for characterizing the properties of early galaxies. Specifically we are able to determine the most massive star still on the main sequence, the number of those stars and a lower limit on the mass of ionized gas in the source. Next we present ZEUS-2's first science result. Using ZEUS-2 on APEX we have detected the [CII] 158 [MICRO SIGN]m line from the z = 1.78 galaxy H-ATLAS J091043.1-000322 with a line flux of (6.44 ± 0.42) x 10-18 W m-2. Combined with its far-infrared luminosity and a new Herschel-PACS detection of the [OI] 63 [MICRO SIGN]m line we are able to conclude that H-ATLAS J091043.1-000322 is a high redshift analogue of a local ultra-luminous infrared galaxy, i.e. it is likely the site of a compact starburst due to a major merger. This detection, combined with the ZEUS-1 observations of the [NII] and [OIII] lines represent examples of work we plan to continue with ZEUS-2. As such, they demonstrate the potential of ZEUS-2 for increasing our understanding of galaxies and galaxy evolution over cosmic time.
Journal / Series
Volume & Issue
Description
Sponsorship
Date Issued
2014-05-25
Publisher
Keywords
instrumentation; submillimeter spectroscopy; high redshift galaxies
Location
Effective Date
Expiration Date
Sector
Employer
Union
Union Local
NAICS
Number of Workers
Committee Chair
Stacey, Gordon John
Committee Co-Chair
Committee Member
Terzian, Yervant
Riechers, Dominik A.
Chernoff, David Fisher
Degree Discipline
Astronomy
Degree Name
Ph. D., Astronomy
Degree Level
Doctor of Philosophy
Related Version
Related DOI
Related To
Related Part
Based on Related Item
Has Other Format(s)
Part of Related Item
Related To
Related Publication(s)
Link(s) to Related Publication(s)
References
Link(s) to Reference(s)
Previously Published As
Government Document
ISBN
ISMN
ISSN
Other Identifiers
Rights
Rights URI
Types
dissertation or thesis
Accessibility Feature
Accessibility Hazard
Accessibility Summary
Link(s) to Catalog Record