Title: The Lyman alpha forest, DLAs and other absorption systems as tracers of large-scale structure
Abstract:
The Lyman alpha forest, DLAs and metal absorbers are tracers of the large-scale structure of the Universe with different linear bias factors. Measurements of auto and cross-correlations among these tracers, made possible by present spectroscopic surveys, can help us learn on their relation to galaxies and the intergalactic medium. The measured bias factor of DLAs implies that DLAs with strong metal lines are hosted by massive halos associated with massive galaxies and galaxy groups, while DLAs with weak metal lines are associated with dwarf galaxies. The measured Lya forest bias factors can test our basic ideas on the gravitational evolution of a photoionized intergalactic medium.