To appear in the proceedings of "Quasars as
Standard Candles for Cosmology," (May 18-22, 1998, La Serena, Chile),
ASP Conf. Series, ed. G.J. Ferland
PROBING THE HIGH-REDSHIFT UNIVERSE WITH QUASAR ELEMENTAL
ABUNDANCES
Fred Hamann
Center for Astrophysics
& Space Sciences, University of California
- San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0424
ABSTRACT. The heavy elements near QSOs provide unique measures of
the star formation and chemical evolution in young galactic
nuclei or pre-galactic condensations. Studies
of quasar abundances also naturally address a
variety of questions regarding the physics of QSO environments,
including the Baldwin Effect emphasized at this meeting. Here I
review the status of quasar abundance work.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
- QUASARS AND GALAXY EVOLUTION
- Expectations for QSO Abundances
- The Galactic Mass-Metallicity Relation
- Fe /
as a Cosmological Clock
- Nitrogen Abundances
- SPECIFIC PREDICTIONS FOR GALACTIC CHEMICAL
EVOLUTION
- BROAD EMISSION LINE DIAGNOSTICS AND RESULTS
- Inter-combination Lines
- Ratios Involving NV
1240
- Tests and Uncertainties
- FeII / MgII and Cosmology
- ABSORPTION LINE DIAGNOSTICS AND RESULTS
- Types of Absorption Lines
- General Techniques
- Abundance Results
- Problems with the BALs
- METALLICITIES AND THE BALDWIN EFFECT
- SUMMARY AND FUTURE PROSPECTS
- REFERENCES
