A Coherent Study of Emission Lines from Broadband Photometry: Specific Star Formation Rates and [O III]/Hβ Ratio at 3 > z > 6

April 2016 • 2016ApJ...821..122F

Authors • Faisst, A. L. • Capak, P. • Hsieh, B. C. • Laigle, C. • Salvato, M. • Tasca, L. • Cassata, P. • Davidzon, I. • Ilbert, O. • Le Fèvre, O. • Masters, D. • McCracken, H. J. • Steinhardt, C. • Silverman, J. D. • de Barros, S. • Hasinger, G. • Scoville, N. Z.

Abstract • We measure the Hα and [O III] emission line properties as well as specific star formation rates (sSFRs) of spectroscopically confirmed 3 < z < 6 galaxies in COSMOS from their observed colors versus redshift evolution. Our model describes consistently the ensemble of galaxies including intrinsic properties (age, metallicity, star formation history), dust attenuation, and optical emission lines. We forward-model the measured Hα equivalent widths (EW) to obtain the sSFR out to z ∼ 6 without stellar mass fitting. We find a strongly increasing rest-frame Hα EW that is flattening off above z ∼ 2.5 with average EWs of 300-600 Å at z ∼ 6. The sSFR is increasing proportionally to {(1+z)}^2.4 at z < 2.2 and to {(1+z)}^1.5 at higher redshifts, indicative of a fast build-up of mass in high-z galaxies within e-folding times of 100-200 Myr at z ∼ 6. The redshift evolution at z > 3 cannot be fully explained in a picture of growth driven by cold accretion. We find a progressively increasing [O III]λ5007/Hβ ratio out to z ∼ 6, consistent with the ratios in local galaxies selected by increasing Hα EW (I.e., sSFR). This demonstrates the potential of using “local high-z analogs” to investigate the spectroscopic properties and relations of galaxies in the re-ionization epoch.

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IPAC Authors
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12768206_10207680298142085_4548014584785502315_o

Andreas Faisst

Assistant Scientist

Elise Furlan

Associate Scientist

Daniel Masters

Assistant Scientist