The Composite Spectrum of QSO Absorption Line Systems in DESI DR2

Abstract

We present details regarding a composite spectrum of quasar (QSO) absorption line systems. In this composite spectrum we identify more than 70 absorption lines, and observe oxygen and hydrogen emission features at a higher signal-to-noise ratio than any previous study. As the light from a distant quasar travels towards an observer, it may interact with the circumgalactic medium of an intervening galaxy, forming absorption lines. In order to maximize the signal of these absorption lines, we have selected a sample of 239,174 quasar spectra from the second data release of the Dark Energy Spectro- scopic Instrument (DESI), each identified to have absorption lines resulting from such an interaction. By stacking these spectra in the restframe of the absorption, and calculating a median composite spec- trum, we are able to isolate and enhance these absorption lines. We provide a full atlas of all detected absorption and emission lines as well as their fit centroids and equivalent width values. We additionally provide analysis of composites constructed using subsamples of absorbers in both redshift and Mg II equivalent width bins. We find that there is minimal redshift evolution across the considered absorber samples. Additionally, we find that dense gas signatures, such as the presence of Na I absorption, are strongest in the highest equivalent width absorber sample, and that the strengths of the Si IV and C IV absorption lines show a relatively weak correlation with Mg II equivalent width. This atlas should aid in future studies investigating the compositions and physical conditions of these absorbers.