ar X iv : a st ro - p h / 98 01 00 4 v 1 2 J an 1 99 8 Redshift Evolution of the Low - Column Density Ly α Forest Esther

Knowledge of the evolution of the low column density end of the Lyα forest (12.8 < log NHI < 16.0 cm ) can provide substantial insight for models of structure formation and studies of the evolution of the ionizing background. Here we describe the evolution of the b values and column densities of forest clouds over the redshift range 2 < z < 4. While the distribution function for clouds with column densities NHI < 3 × 10 14 cm can be well described by a single invariant power law fit with slope ∼ −1.5 over this range, at higher column densities a break in this distribution function is seen, with a deficiency of high column density clouds relative to the single power-law fit, and with the break point moving to lower column densities for clouds at lower redshifts. The median and cut-off (minimum) b values are seen to decrease at higher redshifts.