Estimation of the temperature-density relation in the intergalactic medium at $\mathbf{z\sim 2-4}$ via Ly$\mathbf{\alpha}$ forest

TL;DR

This study analyzes high-resolution quasar spectra to measure the temperature-density relation of the intergalactic medium between redshifts 1.6 and 3.7, revealing a near-isothermal state around z~3, possibly linked to HeII reionization.

Contribution

It provides new measurements of the temperature-density relation in the IGM across multiple redshifts using Voigt profile fitting of Lyα forest lines.

Findings

IGM is nearly isothermal at z~3

HeII reionization likely occurred around z~3

New constraints on the evolution of the IGM's thermal state

Abstract

Quasar spectra provide a unique opportunity to investigate the intergalactic medium at high redshifts. The spectral analysis of the Ly$\alpha$ forest allows us to constrain the effective equation of state of the intergalactic medium and its changes during the evolution of the Universe. Based on the Voigt profile fitting of Ly$\alpha$ forest lines in 50 high-resolution QSO spectra obtained at Keck telescope we present new measurements of the power-law index $\gamma$ of temperature-density relation in IGM for six redshift bins in the range $z=1.6-3.7$. We find that the IGM state is close to isothermal ($\gamma\approx 1$) at $z\sim 3$ which may indicate that HeII reionization occurred at this redshift.