Thesis Topic: Resolving the physical conditions of the cold interstellar medium in high-z galaxies with strong gravitational lensing
Thesis Supervisor: Hannah Stacey
Abstract
So-called ‘cosmic noon’ (z=2—3) was the peak of cosmic star formation and black hole accretion. Galaxies were rapidly accreting gas and forming their stellar mass. The physical properties of the interstellar medium these galaxies are fundamental to understanding how galaxies formed and evolved.
The thesis project objectives are to take advantage of gravitational lensing magnification to resolve the structure, kinematics, temperature and energy density of the cold ISM of cosmic noon galaxies at ~5 times higher spatial resolution compared to non-lensed sources. The primary objective is for the student to develop novel software to self-consistently combine strong lens modelling and radiative transfer modelling, focusing on ALMA data. However, there is also extensive data available for the project that will allow the student some flexibility in research focus.
The student will collaborate with scientists in at ESO, the UK and Chile, and will become a member of the PASSAGES collaboration. The project is best suited for someone with strong interest and experience with Python programming. Ideally, they should have some experience with interferometric data and/or strong lens modelling.
