The dependence of the Lyman_a luminosity function on Redshift using SHARDS

TL;DR

This study uses deep photometry from the SHARDS Survey to analyze how the Lyα luminosity function evolves from redshift 3 to 6, identifying emission line candidates and potential interacting sources.

Contribution

It introduces a method using medium band photometry to determine Lyα luminosity functions across multiple redshifts, with preliminary detection of candidates including interacting sources.

Findings

Detected 11 Lyα emission candidates in initial data

Identified a potential interacting pair of Lyα sources at z=5.4

Demonstrated the effectiveness of medium band photometry for Lyα studies

Abstract

We report in this work on a project aimed at determining Ly{\alpha} luminosity functions from z=3 to z=6. The project is based on the use of very deep photometry from the SHARDS Survey, in a set of 24 medium band filters in the GOODS-N field. We present here some preliminary work carried out with four test images in four consecutive bands. We use the narrow band selection technique for searching emission line candidates. Eleven candidates have been detected so far, many of which are strong Ly{\alpha} candidates. In particular, we have seen a firm candidate to an interacting pair of Ly{\alpha} sources at z=5.4.