Lyman-alpha spectroscopy of extreme [OIII] emitting galaxies at $z\simeq2-3$: Implications for Ly$\alpha$ visibility and LyC leakage at $z>6$

TL;DR

This study investigates how extreme [OIII]+Hβ emission in galaxies at redshifts 2-3 correlates with Lyα emission, providing insights into Lyα visibility and ionizing photon escape relevant for understanding high-redshift galaxy observations.

Contribution

It presents new measurements of Lyα equivalent widths in 49 galaxies with intense [OIII]+Hβ emission at z=2-3, revealing the relationship between emission strength, galaxy orientation, and Lyα transmission.

Findings

Strong Lyα emission is more common in galaxies with larger [OIII]+Hβ EW.

Only 50% of galaxies with extreme [OIII]+Hβ EW show strong Lyα emission.

Galaxy ellipticity influences Lyα strength, with edge-on systems showing weaker emission.

Abstract

Spectroscopic observations of massive $z>7$ galaxies selected to have extremely large [OIII]+H$\beta$ equivalent width (EW $\sim1500$ \r{A}) have recently revealed large Ly$\alpha$ detection rates, in contrast to the weak emission seen in the general population. Why these systems are uniquely visible in Ly$\alpha$ at redshifts where the IGM is likely significantly neutral is not clear. With the goal of better understanding these results, we have begun a campaign with MMT and Magellan to measure Ly$\alpha$ in galaxies with similar [OIII]+H$\beta$ EWs at $z\simeq2-3$. At these redshifts, the IGM is highly ionized, allowing us to clearly disentangle how the Ly$\alpha$ properties depend on the [OIII]+H$\beta$ EW. Here we present Ly$\alpha$ EWs of $49$ galaxies at $z=2.2-3.7$ with intense [OIII]+H$\beta$ line emission (EW $=300-3000$ \r{A}). Our results demonstrate that strong Ly$\alpha$ emission (EW $>20$ \r{A}) becomes more common in galaxies with larger [OIII]+H$\beta$ EW, reflecting a combination of increasingly efficient ionizing photon production and enhanced transmission of Ly$\alpha$. Among the galaxies with the most extreme [OIII]+H$\beta$ emission (EW $\sim1500$ \r{A}), we find that strong Ly$\alpha$ emission is not ubiquitous, with only $50$ per cent of our population showing Ly$\alpha$ EW $>20$ \r{A}. Our data suggest that the range of Ly$\alpha$ strengths is related to the observed ellipticity, with those systems that appear edge-on or elongated having weaker Ly$\alpha$ emission. We use these results to interpret the anomalous Ly$\alpha$ properties seen in $z>7$ galaxies with extreme [OIII]+H$\beta$ emission and discuss implications for the escape of ionizing radiation from these extreme line emitting galaxies.