Modeling Cosmic Reionization

TL;DR

This paper reviews the physics, modeling techniques, and upcoming observational data related to cosmic reionization, a key epoch marking the universe's transition from neutral to ionized hydrogen.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive survey of the current computational methods and key physical processes involved in modeling cosmic reionization.

Findings

Overview of physical processes driving reionization

Summary of computational techniques used in modeling

Anticipation of new data shaping future research

Abstract

The transformation of cold neutral intergalactic hydrogen into a highly ionized warm plasma marks the end of the cosmic dark ages and the beginning of the age of galaxies. The details of this process reflect the nature of the early sources of radiation and heat, the statistical characteristics of the large-scale structure of the Universe, the thermodynamics and chemistry of cosmic baryons, and the histories of star formation and black hole accretion. A number of massive data sets from new ground- and space-based instruments and facilities over the next decade are poised to revolutionize our understanding of primeval galaxies, the reionization photon budget, the physics of the intergalactic medium (IGM), and the fine-grained properties of hydrogen gas in the "cosmic web". In this review we survey the physics and key aspects of reionization-era modeling and describe the diverse range of computational techniques and tools currently available in this field.