Modeling and Testing Screening Mechanisms in the Laboratory and in Space
Abstract:
<jats:p>The non-linear dynamics of scalar fields coupled to matter and gravity can lead to remarkable density-dependent screening effects. In this short review, we present the main classes of screening mechanisms, and discuss their tests in laboratory and astrophysical systems. We particularly focused on reviewing numerical and technical aspects involved in modeling the non-linear dynamics of screening and on tests using laboratory experiments and astrophysical systems, such as stars, galaxies, and dark matter halos.</jats:p>The bright end of the galaxy luminosity function at z ≃ 7 from the VISTA VIDEO survey
Abstract:
We have conducted a search for z ≃ 7 Lyman-break galaxies over 8.2 deg2 of near-infrared imaging from the Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) Deep Extragalactic Observations (VIDEO) survey in the XMM–Newton-Large Scale Structure (XMM-LSS) and the Extended Chandra Deep Field-South (ECDF-S) fields. Candidate galaxies were selected from a full photometric redshift analysis down to a Y + J depth of 25.3 (5σ), utilizing deep auxiliary optical and Spitzer/Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) data to remove brown dwarf and red interloper galaxy contaminants. Our final sample consists of 28 candidate galaxies at 6.5 ≤ z ≤ 7.5 with −23.5 ≤ MUV ≤ −21.6. We derive stellar masses of 9.1 ≤ log10(M⋆/M⊙) ≤ 10.9 for the sample, suggesting that these candidates represent some of the most massive galaxies known at this epoch. We measure the rest-frame ultraviolet (UV) luminosity function (LF) at z ≃ 7, confirming previous findings of a gradual decline in number density at the bright end (MUV < −22) that is well described by a double power law (DPL). We show that quasar contamination in this magnitude range is expected to be minimal, in contrast to conclusions from recent pure-parallel Hubble studies. Our results are up to a factor of 10 lower than previous determinations from optical-only ground-based studies at MUV ≲ −23. We find that the inclusion of YJHKs photometry is vital for removing brown dwarf contaminants, and z ≃ 7 samples based on red optical data alone could be highly contaminated (≳50 per cent). In comparison with other robust z > 5 samples, our results further support little evolution in the very bright end of the rest-frame UV LF from z = 5–10, potentially signalling a lack of mass quenching and/or dust obscuration in the most massive galaxies in the first Gyr.