VIPERS: galaxy colours and luminosity function

Between 0.4<z<1.3 we find a moderate evolution of the RS intercept of {Delta}(U-V)=0.28+/-0.14 mag, favouring exponentially declining star formation (SF) histories with SF truncation at 1.7<=z<=2.3. Together with the rise in the number density of red galaxies by 0.64dex since z=1, this suggests a rapid build-up of massive galaxies (M_*_>10^11^M_{sun}_) and expeditious RS formation over a short period of ~1.5Gyr starting before z=1.

This is supported by the detection of ongoing SF in early-type galaxies at 0.9<z<1.0, in contrast with the quiescent red stellar populations of early-type galaxies at 0.5<z<0.6. There is an increase in the observed CMR scatter with redshift, which is two times larger than observed in galaxy clusters and at variance with theoretical model predictions. We discuss possible physical mechanisms that support the observed evolution of the red galaxy population.

Our findings point out that massive galaxies have experienced a sharp SF quenching at z~1 with only limited additional merging. In contrast, less-massive galaxies experience a mix of SF truncation and minor mergers which build-up the low- and intermediate-mass end of the CMR.