Ultradeep Infrared Array Camera Observations of Sub-L z ~ 7 and z ~ 8 Galaxies in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field: the Contribution of Low-Luminosity Galaxies to the Stellar Mass Density and Reionization

• Published in: Astrophysical journal. Letters Vol. 708; no. 1; pp. L26 - L31
• Main Authors: Labbé, I, González, V, Bouwens, R. J, Illingworth, G. D, Oesch, P. A, van Dokkum, P. G, Carollo, C. M, Franx, M, Stiavelli, M, Trenti, M, Magee, D, Kriek, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IOP Publishing 2010
• ISSN: 2041-8205; 2041-8213
• DOI: 10.1088/2041-8205/708/1/L26

We study the Spitzer Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) mid-infrared (rest-frame optical) fluxes of 14 newly WFC3/IR-detected z ~ 7 z 850-dropout galaxies and 5z ~ 8 Y 105-dropout galaxies. The WFC3/IR depth and spatial resolution allow accurate removal of contaminating foreground light, enabling reliable flux measurements at 3.6 Delta *mm and 4.5 Delta *mm. None of the galaxies are detected to [3.6] 26.9 (AB, 2 Delta *s), but a stacking analysis reveals a robust detection for the z 850-dropouts and an upper limit for the Y 105-dropouts. We construct average broadband spectral energy distributions using the stacked Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), WFC3, and IRAC fluxes and fit stellar population synthesis models to derive mean redshifts, stellar masses, and ages. For the z 850-dropouts, we find z = 6.9+0.1 -0.1, (U - V)rest 0.4, reddening AV = 0, stellar mass M* = 1.2+0.3 -0.6 X 109 M (Salpeter initial mass function). The best-fit ages ~300 Myr, M/LV 0.2, and SSFR ~1.7 Gyr-1 are similar to values reported for luminous z ~ 7 galaxies, indicating the galaxies are smaller but not much younger. The sub-L* galaxies observed here contribute significantly to the stellar mass density and under favorable conditions may have provided enough photons for sustained reionization at 7 < z < 11. In contrast, the z = 8.3+0.1 -0.2 Y 105-dropouts have stellar masses that are uncertain by 1.5 dex due to the near-complete reliance on far-UV data. Adopting the 2 Delta *s upper limit on the M/L(z = 8), the stellar mass density to M UV,AB < -18 declines from Delta *r*(z = 7) = 3.7+1.4 -1.8 X 106 M Mpc-3 to Delta *r*(z = 8) < 8 X 105 M Mpc-3, following (1 + z)-6 over 3 < z < 8. Lower masses at z = 8 would signify more dramatic evolution, which can be established with deeper IRAC observations, long before the arrival of the James Webb Space Telescope.