On the Detectability of the SZ Effect of Massive Young Galaxies

Abstract

The Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect expected to be associated with massive star-formation activity produced during the formation of the most luminous bulges of normal galaxies is discussed. Using 1-D chemohydrodynamical models for spheroidal galaxy evolution we show that during the early epochs of galaxy evolution the gas in massive events of star formation may reach temperatures and densities high enough to produce values of the comptonisation parameter "y" comparable to those present in galaxy clusters. In this scenario, we discuss the possibility of detection of the SZ signature in high redshift starforming galaxies with the next generation of mm telescopes capable of arcsecond resolution and equipped with high sensitivity detectors. We show how millimeter colour--colour diagrams or diagnostic diagrams could be used to distinguish between the dust emission and the SZ effect and suggest the use of simultaneous multifrequency observations to improve the chances of detecting the SZ effect.