Correcting the z ∼ 8 Galaxy Luminosity Function for Gravitational Lensing Magnification Bias
Abstract
We present a Bayesian framework to account for the magnification bias from both strong and weak gravitational lensing in estimates of high-redshift galaxy luminosity functions (LFs). We illustrate our method by estimating the z ∼ 8 UV LF using a sample of 97 Y-band dropouts (Lyman break galaxies) found in the Brightest of Reionizing Galaxies (BoRG) survey and from the literature. We find the LF is well described by a Schechter function with characteristic magnitude of {{M}\star }=-19.85-0.35+0.30, faint-end slope of α =-1.72-0.29+0.30, and number density of {{log }10}{{{\Psi }}\star }(Mp{{c}-3})=-3.00-0.31+0.23. These parameters are consistent within the uncertainties with those inferred from the same sample without accounting for the magnification bias, demonstrating that the effect is small for current surveys at z ∼ 8, and cannot account for the apparent overdensity of bright galaxies compared to a Schechter function found recently by Bowler et al. and Finkelstein et al. We estimate that the probability of finding a strongly lensed z ∼ 8 source in our sample is in the range ∼3-15% depending on limiting magnitude. We identify one strongly lensed candidate and three cases of intermediate lensing in BoRG (estimated magnification μ > 1.4) in addition to the previously known candidate group-scale strong lens. Using a range of theoretical LFs we conclude that magnification bias will dominate wide field surveys—such as those planned for the Euclid and WFIRST missions—especially at z > 10. Magnification bias will need to be accounted for in order to derive accurate estimates of high-redshift LFs in these surveys and to distinguish between galaxy formation models.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- May 2015
- DOI:
- 10.1088/0004-637X/805/1/79
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1502.03795
- Bibcode:
- 2015ApJ...805...79M
- Keywords:
-
- galaxies: high-redshift;
- galaxies: luminosity function;
- mass function;
- gravitational lensing: strong;
- Astrophysics - Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- Accepted for publication in ApJ. 20 pages, 13 figures