Galaxies & Intergalactic Metals at the Conclusion of Reionization  [slides]

Abstract

The high redshift Intergalactic medium - including its metal content - sets the initial conditions from which modern galaxies form and evolve. I will present work on the relationship between galaxies and metals seen in absorption towards higher redshift quasars. The relationship is investigated in two ways: globally and with individual galaxy-absorber pairs. We find that the Drop in the cosmic mass density of triply ionized Carbon, Omega(CIV), to redshift 5.5 cannot solely be explained by a decrease in the mean metallicty of the Universe over a short period of time. An additional change in the ionizing Background is required, in line with findings of increased neutrality of hyDrogen at the same redshift. Our analysis of galaxy-absorber pairs finds that low luminosity galaxies close to the quasar line of sight are the most likely source of metal absorbers at these redshifts.