The Low-redshift Lyman Continuum Survey. II. New Insights into LyC Diagnostics

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<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>The Lyman continuum (LyC) cannot be observed at the epoch of reionization (<jats:italic>z</jats:italic> ≳ 6) owing to intergalactic H <jats:sc>i</jats:sc> absorption. To identify LyC emitters (LCEs) and infer the fraction of escaping LyC, astronomers have developed various indirect diagnostics of LyC escape. Using measurements of the LyC from the Low-redshift Lyman Continuum Survey (LzLCS), we present the first statistical test of these diagnostics. While optical depth indicators based on Ly<jats:italic>α</jats:italic>, such as peak velocity separation and equivalent width, perform well, we also find that other diagnostics, such as the [O <jats:sc>iii</jats:sc>]/[O <jats:sc>ii</jats:sc>] flux ratio and star formation rate surface density, predict whether a galaxy is an LCE. The relationship between these galaxy properties and the fraction of escaping LyC flux suggests that LyC escape depends strongly on H <jats:sc>i</jats:sc> column density, ionization parameter, and stellar feedback. We find that LCEs occupy a range of stellar masses, metallicities, star formation histories, and ionization parameters, which may indicate episodic and/or different physical causes of LyC escape.</jats:p>

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