Detection of the 2175 Extinction Feature at z=0.83
Abstract
We determine the extinction curve in the zl=0.83 lens galaxy of the gravitational lens SBS0909+532 from the wavelength dependence of the flux ratio between the lensed quasar images (zs=1.38) from 3400 to 9200. It is the first measurement of an extinction curve at a cosmological distance of comparable quality to those obtained within the Galaxy. The extinction curve has a strong 2175 feature, a noteworthy fact because it has been weak or non-existent in most estimates of extinction curves outside the Galaxy. The extinction curve is fitted well by a standard RV=2.10.9 Galactic extinction curve. If we assume standard Galactic extinction laws, the estimated dust redshift of z=0.880.02 is in good agreement with the spectroscopic redshift of the lens galaxy. The widespread assumption that SMC extinction curves are more appropriate models for cosmological dust may be incorrect.
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