| Name: Jahaan Thakkar |
| Affiliation: Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai |
| Conference ID: ASI2026_71 |
| Title: Towards a consistent reionization inference from LAEs |
| Abstract Type: Poster |
| Abstract Category: Galaxies and Cosmology |
| Author(s) and Co-Author(s) with Affiliation: Jahaan Thakkar(Tata Insititute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai - 400005, India), Soumak Maitra(Tata Insititute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai - 400005, India), Girish Kulkarni(Tata Insititute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai - 400005, India) |
| Abstract: Lyman-Alpha emitting galaxies (LAEs) are widely used to probe the Epoch of Reionization (EoR), yet recent studies have reported a broad range of neutral-fraction (x_HI) estimates, reflecting differences in datasets, selection strategies, and modelling choices. These variations highlight the need to understand how sensitive LAE-based inferences are to the underlying assumptions of the model. In this talk, I will present our framework that combines large-scale semi-numerical simulations from 21cmFAST with a fiducial LAE model to generate mock LAE populations across z ∼ 5–14. Intergalactic attenuation is modelled through sightline-based radiative-transfer calculations, and the resulting luminosity functions are compared with recent JWST and Subaru/HSC measurements to infer the evolving neutral fraction. To assess the reliability of these inferences, we explore how the predicted luminosity functions and x_HI constraints respond to variations in key LAE model ingredients, including intrinsic Lyman-Alpha line widths, velocity offsets, UV continuum slopes, and equivalent-width distributions. This sensitivity analysis provides insight into which physical assumptions most strongly influence LAE observability during reionization and helps clarify how differing modelling choices across the literature may contribute to the diversity of reported x_HI values. Our results offer a more transparent understanding of the robustness of LAE-based probes and the extent to which current conclusions about the timing and progression of reionization remain stable. |
