The Low-redshift Lyman Continuum Survey: The Roles of Stellar Feedback and Interstellar Medium Geometry in LyC Escape

One of the fundamental questions of cosmology is the origin and mechanism(s) responsible for the reionization of the Universe beyond z ∼ 6. Many studies have focused on Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) observations of local (z ∼ 0.3) galaxies emitting ionizing radiation (Lyman continuum, or LyC) for insight. However, LyC measurements can depend on chance alignment of optically thin channels with the observer. In addition, low signal in the spectra of these faint LyC emitters inhibits constraints on gas geometry and stellar populations. To circumvent these limitations, we analyze stacks of a consolidated sample of HST/COS observations of the LyC in 89 galaxies at z ∼ 0.3. From fitting of the continuum, we obtain information about the underlying stellar populations, emergent LyC, and neutral interstellar medium geometry. We find that most LyC nondetections are not leaking appreciable LyC ( f^esc_LyC < 1%), but also that exceptional cases point to spatial variations in the LyC escape fraction f^esc_LyC. Stellar populations younger than 3 Myr lead to an increase in ionizing feedback, which in turn increases the isotropy of LyC escape. Wolf-Rayet stars and 3-6 Myr populations appear to play little role in LyC escape. Mechanical feedback from supernovae in 8-10 Myr stellar populations is important for anisotropic gas distributions needed for LyC escape. While mechanical feedback is necessary for any LyC escape, high f^esc_LyC (>5%) also requires a confluence of young stars and ionizing feedback. A two-stage burst of star formation is critical to producing this optimal LyC escape scenario, and should be considered fundamental to identifying LyC emitters at the Epoch of Reionization.