A search for dust and molecular gas in enormous Ly$\alpha$ nebulae at $z\approx 2$

TL;DR

This study investigates the presence of dust and molecular gas in enormous Ly$ ext{α}$ nebulae at redshifts around 2, revealing molecular gas in embedded galaxies but placing limits on diffuse gas in the nebulae.

Contribution

First detection of molecular gas in galaxies within enormous Ly$ ext{α}$ nebulae at high redshift, with constraints on diffuse molecular gas in the nebulae.

Findings

Molecular gas detected in three embedded galaxies with masses of (3-5)×10^{10} M_⊙.

Limits placed on diffuse molecular gas surface density in the nebulae.

No strong correlation found between molecular gas reservoirs and radio or Ly$ ext{α}$ luminosities.

Abstract

Enormous Ly$\alpha$ nebulae, extending over 300-500\,kpc around quasars, represent the pinnacle of galaxy and cluster formation. Here we present IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer observations of the enormous Ly$\alpha$ nebulae `Slug' ($z$=$2.282$) and `Jackpot' ($z$=$2.041$). Our data reveal bright, synchrotron emission associated with the two radio-loud AGN embedded in the targeted nebulae, as well as molecular gas, as traced via the CO(3-2) line, in three galaxies (two sources in the Slug, and one in the Jackpot). All of the CO emission is associated with galaxies detected in their rest-frame UV stellar emission. The total mass in molecular gas of these three galaxies [$\sim (3-5)\times10^{10}$ M$_\odot$] is comparable with the total ionized gas mass responsible for the diffuse nebular emission. Our observations place limits on the molecular gas emission in the nebulae: The molecular gas surface density is $\Sigma_{\rm H2}<12-25$ M$_\odot$ pc$^{-2}$ for the Slug nebula and $\Sigma_{\rm H2}<34-68$ M$_\odot$ pc$^{-2}$ for the Jackpot nebula. These are consistent with the expected molecular gas surface densities, as predicted via photoionization models of the rest-frame UV line emission in the nebulae, and via Ly$\alpha$ absorption in the Jackpot nebula. Compared to other radio--loud quasars at $z>1$, and high-redshift radio--loud galaxies, we do not find any strong trends relating the molecular gas reservoirs, the radio power, and the Ly$\alpha$ luminosities of these systems. The significant step in sensitivity required to achieve a detection of the molecular gas from the nebulae, if present, will require a substantial time investment with JVLA, NOEMA, or ALMA.