The LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey: the radio view of the cosmic star formation history

ABSTRACT We present a detailed study of the cosmic star formation history over 90 per cent time (0 ≲ z 4), using deep, radio continuum observations that probe activity independent dust. The Low Frequency Array Two Metre Sky Survey has imaged three well-studied extragalactic fields, Elais-N1, Boötes, and Lockman Hole, reaching $\sim 20\, \mu \rm {Jy\,beam^{-1}}$ rms sensitivity at $150\, {MHz}$. availability high-quality ancillary data from ultraviolet to far-infrared wavelengths enabled accurate photometric redshifts robust separation radio-bright AGN their star-forming counterparts. capitalize on this unique combination wide fields robustly selected galaxies construct luminosity functions derive rate density. carefully constrain correct for scatter in $L_{150\, {MHz}}-\rm {SFR}$ relation, which we find be 0.3\, {dex}$. Our derived density lies between previous measurements all studied. higher densities ∼ 0 3 than are typically inferred short wavelength emission; earlier times, discrepancy is reduced. generally good agreement with radio-based studies, small offsets resulting differing calibrations.