Lyman-alpha depression of the continuum from high-redshift quasars - A new technique applied in search of the Gunn-Peterson effect

摘要: A subtraction of the mean absorption due to distinct clouds and a novel method for intensity-distribution examination are presently applied all extant data bearing on opacity smoothly distributed hydrogen local Ly-alpha wavelength. It is found that, at z about 3, imply 30 percent more than in measurable lines; this could be either lines very small column density or true continuous absorption. At above 4, total larger by 20 + - simple extrapolation from lower redshift data, implying limit 15 reduction ionizing background 3-4.5. 34 refs.