Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
We present a detailed structural and morphological study of a large sample of spectroscopicallyconfirmed at z ≥ 6, using deep HST near-IR broad-band images and Subaru optical narrowband. The galaxy sample consists of 51 Ly_ emitters (LAEs) at z ≃ 5. 7, 6. 5, and 7. 0, and 16 Lyman-break galaxies (LBGs) at 5. 9 ≤ z ≤ 6. 5. These galaxies exhibit a wide range of restframe continuum morphology in the HST images, from compact features to multiple component. The fraction of merging/interacting galaxies reaches 40% ∼ 50% at the brightest end of 1500 ≤ −20. 5 mag. The intrinsic half-light radii rhl, in, after correction for PSF broadening, are between rhl, in ≃ 0. ′′05 (0. 3 kpc) and 0. ′′3 (1. 7 kpc) at M1500 ≤ −19. 5 mag. The median rhl, in is 0. ′′16 (∼0. 9 kpc). This is consistent with the sizes of bright LAEs and LBGs at z ≥ 6 in studies. In addition, more luminous galaxies tend to have larger sizes, exhibiting a weak -luminosity relation rhl, in ∝ L0. 14 at M1500 ≤ −19. 5 mag. The slope of 0. 14 is significantly flatter those in fainter LBG samples. We discuss the morphology of z ≥ 6 galaxies with nonparametric, including the CAS system and the Gini and M20 parameters, and demonstrate their validity simulations. We search for extended Ly_ emission halos around LAEs at z ≃ 5. 7 and 6. 5, by a number of narrow-band images. We do not find evidence of extended halos predicted by simulations. Such Ly_ halos, if they exist, could be weaker than predicted. Finally, we any positional misalignment between UV continuum and Ly_ emission in LAEs. While the positions are generally consistent, several merging galaxies show significant positional differences. is likely caused by a disturbed ISM distribution due to merging activity.
Jiang et al. (Mon,) studied this question.