The MOSDEF-LRIS Survey: Connection between Galactic-scale Outflows and the Properties of $z$~2 star-forming Galaxies

TL;DR

This study examines the properties and drivers of galactic outflows in $z$~2 star-forming galaxies, revealing that outflow velocity correlates with SFR and suggesting supernovae as primary drivers, with a threshold for strong outflows.

Contribution

First detailed analysis linking outflow velocities to galaxy properties at $z$~2, highlighting supernovae as main energy sources and identifying a threshold for strong outflows.

Findings

Outflow velocity scales with SFR as a power-law with index 0.24.

Outflow velocity and $ m \Sigma_{SFR}$ are not significantly correlated.

Strong outflows (>200 km/s) are common above a specific $ m \Sigma_{sSFR}$ threshold.

Abstract

We investigate the conditions that facilitate galactic-scale outflows using a sample of 155 typical star-forming galaxies at $z$~2 drawn from the MOSFIRE Deep Evolution Field (MOSDEF) survey. The sample includes deep rest-frame UV spectroscopy from the Keck Low-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (LRIS), which provides spectral coverage of several low-ionisation interstellar (LIS) metal absorption lines and Ly$\alpha$ emission. Outflow velocities are calculated from the centroids of the LIS absorption and/or Ly$\alpha$ emission, as well as the highest-velocity component of the outflow from the blue wings of the LIS absorption lines. Outflow velocities are found to be marginally correlated or independent of galaxy properties, such as star-formation rate (SFR) and star-formation rate surface density ($\Sigma_{\rm SFR}$). Outflow velocity scales with SFR as a power-law with index 0.24, which suggests that the outflows may be primarily driven by mechanical energy generated by supernovae explosions, as opposed to radiation pressure acting on dusty material. On the other hand, outflow velocity and $\Sigma_{\rm SFR}$ are not significantly correlated, which may be due to the limited dynamic range of $\Sigma_{\rm SFR}$ probed by our sample. The relationship between outflow velocity and $\Sigma_{\rm SFR}$ normalised by stellar mass ($\Sigma_{\rm sSFR}$), as a proxy for gravitational potential, suggests that strong outflows (e.g., > 200 km s$^{-1}$) appear ubiquitous above a threshold of log($\Sigma_{\rm sSFR}/\rm{yr}^{-1}\ \rm{kpc}^{-2}$) ~ -11.3, and that above this threshold, outflow velocity uncouples from $\Sigma_{\rm sSFR}$. These results highlight the need for higher resolution spectroscopic data and spatially resolved imaging to test the driving mechanisms of outflows predicted by theory.