Evidence for Large-scale Fluctuations in the Metagalactic Ionizing Background Near Redshift Six

Abstract

The observed scatter in intergalactic Ly α opacity at z  ≲ 6 requires large-scale fluctuations in the neutral fraction of the intergalactic medium (IGM) after the expected end of reionization. Post-reionization models that explain this scatter invoke fluctuations in either the ionizing ultraviolet background (UVB) or IGM temperature. These models make very different predictions, however, for the relationship between Ly α opacity and local density. Here, we test these models using Ly α -emitting galaxies (LAEs) to trace the density field surrounding the longest and most opaque known Ly α trough at z  < 6. Using deep Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam narrowband imaging, we find a highly significant deficit of z  ≃ 5.7 LAEs within 20 of the trough. The results are consistent with a model in which the scatter in Ly α opacity near z  ∼ 6 is driven by large-scale UVB fluctuations, and disfavor a scenario in which the scatter is primarily driven by variations in IGM temperature. UVB fluctuations at this epoch present a boundary condition for reionization models, and may help shed light on the nature of the ionizing sources.