Zamora

Insights into the density structure of CIV clouds from QSO and arc absorption line statistics

Based on a clumpy-cloud model for CIV absorbers we propose a universal column density profile for CIV clouds that is consistent with the observed column density distribution (e.g. D'Odorico et al. 2010). Using this model, we simulate pencil-beam (QSOs) and wide-beam (gravitational arcs) spectra. In this talk, I will show how, by employing observational diagnostics such as the equivalent width distribution of CIV systems, we can constrain cloud properties and gain insights into the scale of these structures.