No Evolution in the IR-Radio Relation for IR-Luminous Galaxies at z<2 in the COSMOS Field

TL;DR

This study finds no significant evolution in the infrared-radio relation for IR-luminous galaxies up to redshift 2, using deep COSMOS field observations, challenging previous claims of positive evolution.

Contribution

It provides a consistent analysis of IR-radio ratios for comparable luminosity galaxies over 10 Gyr, correcting biases in earlier studies.

Findings

No change in IR/radio ratios for IR-luminous galaxies up to z~2

Uncorrected data suggested positive evolution, but bias correction negates this

Supports models predicting stable IR-radio relation over cosmic time

Abstract

Previous observational studies of the infrared (IR)-radio relation out to high redshift employed any detectable star forming systems at a given redshift within the restricted area of cosmological survey fields. Consequently, the evolution inferred relies on a comparison between the average IR/radio properties of (i) very IR-luminous high-z sources and (ii) more heterogeneous low(er)-z samples that often lack the strongest IR emitters. In this report we consider populations of objects with comparable luminosities over the last 10 Gyr by taking advantage of deep IR (esp. Spitzer 24 micron) and VLA 1.4 GHz observations of the COSMOS field. Consistent with recent model predictions, both Ultra Luminous Infrared Galaxies (ULIRGs) and galaxies on the bright end of the evolving IR luminosity function do not display any change in their average IR/radio ratios out to z~2 when corrected for bias. Uncorrected data suggested ~0.3 dex of positive evolution.