Constraints on the End of Reionization from the Density Fields Surrounding Two Highly Opaque Quasar Sightlines

Holly M. Christenson, George D. Becker, Steven R. Furlanetto +5

The observed large-scale scatter in Lyman $\alpha$ opacity of the intergalactic medium at $z<6$ implies large fluctuations in the neutral hydrogen fraction that are unexpected long afte…