MOSDEF-LRIS Survey: Star-forming galaxies properties

We present a statistical analysis of the mutual correlations among Ly{alpha} equivalent width (EWLy{alpha}), LIS equivalent width (EWLIS), and E(B-V) in a sample of 157 star-forming galaxies at z~2.3.

With measurements obtained from individual deep rest-UV spectra and spectral energy distribution modeling, we find that the tightest correlation exists between EWLIS and E(B-V), although correlations among all three parameters are statistically significant. These results signal a direct connection between dust and metal-enriched HI gas and that they are likely cospatial. By comparing our results with the predictions of different ISM/CGM models, we favor a dusty ISM/CGM model where dust resides in HI gas clumps and Ly{alpha} photons escape through the low HI covering fraction/column density intraclump medium.