A Census of Double-Peaked Lyman-alpha Emitters in MAGPI: Classification, Global Characteristics, and Spatially Resolved Properties
Authors:
- Tamal MukherjeeTMTamal Mukherjee
- Tayyaba ZafarTZTayyaba Zafar
- Themiya NanayakkaraTNThemiya Nanayakkara
- Siddhartha Gurung-LopezSGSiddhartha Gurung-Lopez
- Anshu GuptaAGAnshu Gupta
- Scott M. CroomSCScott M. Croom
- Andrew BattistiABAndrew Battisti
- Polychronis PapaderosPPPolychronis Papaderos
- Emily WisnioskiEWEmily Wisnioski
- Caroline FosterCFCaroline Foster
Preprint
Abstract
Double-peaked Lyman-$\alpha$ (Ly$\alpha$) profiles provide critical insights into gas kinematics and the distribution of neutral hydrogen (HI) from the interstellar to the intergalactic medium (ISM to IGM), and serve as valuable diagnostics of ionising Lyman continuum (LyC) photon escape. We present a study of the global and spatially resolved properties of double-peaked Ly$\alpha$ emitters (LAEs) based on VLT/MUSE data from the MAGPI survey. From a parent sample of 417 LAEs at z = 2.9 - 6.6 in the first 35 fields, we identify 108 double-peaked LAEs using an automated peak classification technique. We measure a double-peak fraction of $\sim37\%$ at $z < 4$, decreasing to $\sim14\%$ at $z > 4$, likely due to enhanced IGM attenuation. Approximately $17\%$ of the double-peaked LAEs are blue-dominated, suggesting gas inflows. The blue-to-total flux ratio exhibits a luminosity dependence: fainter lines generally show higher blue flux, though some luminous sources also show strong blue peaks. We find a narrowing of the red peak at $z > 4$, despite the presence of the blue peak, indicating intrinsic galaxy evolution rather than IGM attenuation. Several LAEs exhibit residual flux in the absorption trough, with normalised trough flux anticorrelating with peak separation, reflecting variations in HI column density. We further investigate spatially resolved properties of ten red-dominated LAEs with extended Ly$\alpha$ halos. Despite azimuthal variations, both the blue-to-total flux ratio and normalised trough flux density increase with radius, while peak separation decreases. The red peak asymmetry shows only minor radial changes. These trends are consistent with variations in shell outflow velocity and HI column density across the halos. Based on peak separation, red peak asymmetry, and residual trough flux, we identify five LAEs as strong LyC-leaker candidates.
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