A Deep Search for a Strong Diffuse Interstellar Band in the Circumgalactic Medium

Abstract

We investigate the absorption signals of a strong diffuse interstellar band, DIB$\lambda4430$, in the circumgalactic medium (CGM) traced by MgII absorption lines. To this end, we make use of approximately 60,000 MgII absorption line spectra within $0.4<z<1.0$ compiled from the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys and obtain composite spectra with uncertainties for absorption line measurements being a few m$\r{A}$. By using MgII absorption strength and dust reddening relation from the literature, we measure the DIB$\lambda4430$ absorption strength as a function of $\rm E(B-V)$ in the CGM, and compare the Milky Way DIB$\lambda4430$ - $\rm E(B-V)$ relation extrapolated down to the CGM $\rm E(B-V)$ region. Our results show no detectable signals of DIB$\lambda4430$ across the entire $\rm E(B-V)$ range in the CGM traced by MgII absorption lines. This lack of detection of DIB$\lambda4430$ in the CGM is inconsistent with the Milky Way signals by $\sim 5 \, \sigma$, indicating that the factors associated with different environments affect the abundance of the DIB$\lambda4430$ carrier.