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The Mass–Metallicity Relation of Dwarf Galaxies at Cosmic Noon from JWST Observations

Abstract:
We present the mass-metallicity relation (MZR) at $z=2-3$ in the stellar mass range of $M_\star\approx 10^{6.5}-10^{9.5}M_\odot$ using 55 dwarf galaxies in the Abell 2744 and SMACS J0723-3732 galaxy cluster fields. These dwarf galaxies are identified and confirmed by deep JWST/NIRISS imaging and slitless grism spectroscopic observations. Taking advantage of the gravitational lensing effect, we extend the previous MZR relation at $z=2-3$ to a much lower mass regime by more than 2.5 orders of magnitude compared with previous studies. We find that the MZR has a shallower slope at the low-mass end ($M_\star<10^{9}M_\odot$) compared to that at the high-mass end ($M_\star>10^{9}M_\odot$), with a slope turnover point at around the stellar mass of $10^9 M_\odot$. This implies that dominating feedback processes in dwarf galaxies may be different from that in galaxies with higher mass. From $z=3$ to $z=2$, the metallicity of the dwarf galaxies is enhanced by $\approx0.1$ dex for a given stellar mass, consistent with the mild evolution found in galaxies with higher mass. Further, we confirm the existence of a 3D relation between the gas-phase metallicity, stellar mass, and star formation rate, i.e., fundamental metallicity relation (FMR), in dwarf galaxies at $z=2-3$. Our derived FMR, which has no significant redshift evolution, can be used as a benchmark to understand the origin of the anti-correlation between SFR and metallicity of dwarf galaxies in the high-redshift Universe.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, submitted to AAS Journal; welcome comment
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.3847/2041-8213/acf470

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Author
ORCID:
0000-0001-8467-6478
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ORCID:
0000-0002-1620-0897
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ORCID:
0000-0001-6052-4234
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ORCID:
0000-0001-5951-459X


Publisher:
American Astronomical Society
Journal:
The Astrophysical Journal Letters More from this journal
Volume:
955
Issue:
1
Pages:
L18-L18
Publication date:
2023-09-21
DOI:
EISSN:
2041-8213
ISSN:
2041-8205


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
1548916
Local pid:
pubs:1548916
Source identifiers:
W4386955972
Deposit date:
2026-06-01
ARK identifier:
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