About this Research Topic
Emission line intensity mapping (LIM) is a powerful tool for exploring the evolution of the Universe. Unlike traditional galaxy surveys that require individual galaxies to be individually detected and resolved, the LIM method is sensitive to the cumulative flux in a voxel defined by an instrument’s spatial resolution and spectral resolving power. As a result, sources of all brightness contribute to the signal, which make intensity mapping observations advantageous when individually faint or extended objects source the emission. The use of spectral lines provides the opportunity to add the crucial third dimension of information using a feature tuned to a particular wavelength that redshifts with distance to the source. As a result, LIM can more efficiently perform tomographic statistical surveys that are sensitive to both the growth of cosmic large-scale structure (LSS) and galaxy formation and evolution, if the instrumental noise and foreground contamination is well controlled.
This Research Topic provides a platform for the latest research in theory, data processing, and instrumentation that captures a “state of the field” for scientists working in LIM methods and beyond.
The main topics include:
1. Investigation of the astrophysics and models for different emission lines, e.g. 21cm, Lyman-alpha, H-alpha, [OIII], [OII], [CII], CO, etc.
2. LIM methodology, observations, and results
3. Instrument concept, predictions, and results
4. Other topics where LIM is used to explore the formation of cosmic structure, the epoch of reionization/Cosmic Dawn, galaxy formation and evolution, and exotic physical processes.
We welcome all article types: Brief Research Report, Data Report, General Commentary, Hypothesis & Theory, Methods, Mini Review, Opinion, Original Research, Perspective, Review, Technology and Code.
This Research Topic provides a platform for the latest research in theory, data processing, and instrumentation that captures a “state of the field” for scientists working in LIM methods and beyond.
The main topics include:
1. Investigation of the astrophysics and models for different emission lines, e.g. 21cm, Lyman-alpha, H-alpha, [OIII], [OII], [CII], CO, etc.
2. LIM methodology, observations, and results
3. Instrument concept, predictions, and results
4. Other topics where LIM is used to explore the formation of cosmic structure, the epoch of reionization/Cosmic Dawn, galaxy formation and evolution, and exotic physical processes.
We welcome all article types: Brief Research Report, Data Report, General Commentary, Hypothesis & Theory, Methods, Mini Review, Opinion, Original Research, Perspective, Review, Technology and Code.
Keywords: intensity mapping, cosmic large-scale structure, epoch of reionization, 21cm, galaxy formation
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
