Lyman-alpha Forest Tomography of the z>2 Cosmic Web

TL;DR

This paper discusses pioneering 3D mapping of the high-redshift cosmic web using Lyman-alpha forest tomography with faint galaxy sources, opening new avenues for cosmology and galaxy evolution studies.

Contribution

It introduces the first pilot observations of 3D Lyman-alpha forest tomography at z>2 using faint galaxies, demonstrating the technique's feasibility and potential.

Findings

Successful demonstration of 3D cosmic web mapping at high redshift

Potential for large-scale structure studies with faint galaxy surveys

Future survey plans for cosmological and galaxy evolution research

Abstract

The hydrogen Ly$\alpha$ forest is an important probe of the $z>2$ Universe that is otherwise challenging to observe with galaxy redshift surveys, but this technique has traditionally been limited to 1D studies in front of bright quasars. However, by pushing to faint magnitudes ($g>23$) with 8-10m large telescopes it becomes possible to exploit the high area density of high-redshift star-forming galaxies to create 3D tomographic maps of large-scale structure in the foreground. I describe the first pilot observations using this technique, as well discuss future surveys and the resulting science possibilities for galaxy evolution and cosmology.