Abstract
We explore how the assumption of ionization equilibrium modulates the modeled
intergalactic medium (IGM) at the end of the hydrogen Epoch of Reionization
using the cosmological radiation hydrodynamic Technicolor Dawn
simulation. In neutral and partially-ionized regions where the metagalactic
ultraviolet background (UVB) is weak, the ionization timescale
$t_ion\Gamma^-1$ exceeds the Hubble time. Assuming
photoionization equilibrium in such regions artificially boosts the ionization
rate, accelerating reionization. By contrast, the recombination time
$t_rec < t_ion$ in photoionized regions, with the result that
assuming photoionization equilibrium artificially increases the neutral
hydrogen fraction. Using snapshots between $8 z 5$, we compare the
predicted Lyman-$\alpha$ forest flux power spectrum with and without the
assumption of ionization equilibrium. Small scales ($k > 0.1$ rad s km$^-1$)
exhibit reduced power from $7 z 5.5$ in the ionization equilibrium
case while larger scales are unaffected. This occurs for the same reasons:
ionization equilibrium artificially suppresses the neutral fraction in
self-shielded gas and boosts ionizations in voids, suppressing small-scale
fluctuations in the ionization field. When the volume-averaged neutral fraction
drops below $10^-4$, the signature of non-equilibrium ionizations on the
Lyman-$\alpha$ forest (LAF) disappears. Comparing with recent observations
indicates that these non-equilibrium effects are not yet observable in the LAF
flux power spectrum.
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