Science with an ngVLA: [CII] 158$μ$m Emission from $z \ge 10$ Galaxies

Abstract

We consider the capabilities of ALMA and the ngVLA to detect and image the[CII] 158\,$μ$m line from galaxies into the cosmic `dark ages' ($z \sim 10$ to 20). The [CII] line may prove to be a powerful tool in determining spectroscopic redshifts, and galaxy dynamics, for the first galaxies. In 40\,hr, ALMA has the sensitivity to detect the integrated [CII] line emission from a moderate metallicity, active star-forming galaxy [$Z_A = 0.2\,Z_{\odot}$; star formation rate (SFR)= 5\,$M_\odot$\,yr$^{-1}$], at $z = 10$ at a significance of 6$σ$. The ngVLA will detect the integrated [CII] line emission from a Milky-Way like star formation rate galaxy ($Z_{A} = 0.2\,Z_{\odot}$, SFR = 1\,$M_\odot$\,yr$^{-1}$), at $z = 15$ at a significance of 6$σ$. Imaging simulations show that the ngVLA can determine rotation dynamics for active star-forming galaxies at $z \sim 15$, if they exist. The [CII] detection rate in blind surveys will be slow (of order unity per 40\,hr pointing.

8 pages, 3 figures; to be published in the ASP Monograph Series, "Science with a Next-Generation VLA", ed. E. J. Murphy (ASP, San Francisco, CA). arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1709.02001