Evolution of the Luminosity Function and Colors of Galaxies in a Lambda-CDM Universe
Abstract
The luminosity function of galaxies is derived from a cosmological hydrodynamic simulation of a Lambda cold dark matter (CDM) universe with the aid of a stellar population synthesis model. At z=0, the resulting B band luminosity function has a flat faint end slope of α ≈ -1.15 with the characteristic luminosity and the normalization in a fair agreement with observations, while the dark matter halo mass function is steep with a slope of α ≈ -2. The colour distribution of galaxies also agrees well with local observations. We also discuss the evolution of the luminosity function, and the colour distribution of galaxies from z=0 to 5. A large evolution of the characteristic mass in the stellar mass function due to number evolution is compensated by luminosity evolution; the characteristic luminosity increases only by 0.8 mag from z=0 to 2, and then declines towards higher redshift, while the B band luminosity density continues to increase from z=0 to 5 (but only slowly at z>3).
Turn this paper into a full lesson
ArcXiv compiles a staged curriculum from this paper: 8-12 lessons across beginner → advanced, synthesised section guides, visuals, flashcards, a quiz, exercises, and on-demand deep dives per section. Grounded in the abstract, never invented.