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October 5, 2025Open Access

13 Billion Years of MgII Absorber Evolution

CCChristopher W. ChurchillNew Mexico State University AAA. AbbasNew Mexico State University GKGlenn G. KapcrzakSwinburne University of Technology

Key Points

We present a unified quantitative description for mgII absorber evolution over 13 billion years.
Measurements indicate that weak absorbers do not evolve post-reionization, while strong systems increase until Cosmic Noon.
Data supports scenario indicating weak systems may evolve away as stronger systems increase until Cosmic Noon.
Our findings emphasize the necessity for deep surveys of mgII absorbers at redshift greater than 5.

Abstract

Applying "apportioned integrals," we use dN/dX measurements to determine the MgII absorber equivalent width distribution function for Wr > 0.03 angstroms and 0 4 for weaker absorbers (Wr 4. Our results provide a unified, quantitative description for MgII absorber evolution spanning 13 billion years of cosmic time and offer deeper insights into galactic baryon cycle physics. They also highlight the need for deep z > 5 MgII surveys and have implications for detectability of a MgII forest at z > 7.

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