NIR High Resolution Spectroscopy of High-z QSO Absorption Systems with Subaru IRCS

We are conducting a near-infrared (1.0–1.35 μm) high resolution spectroscopic survey of high-z: QSOs to study the MgII λλ2796,2803 and FeII λ2587, λ2600 absorption lines of high-z Lyman-α clouds. We are using a facility infrared imager and spectrograph, IRCS, for the Japanese Subaru 8 m telescope atop Mauna Kea. This instrument has an echelle spectroscopy mode with a maximum resolving power of R=20,000 (△v = 15 km s-1) which enabled the first detailed study of the MgII and FeII absorption lines at high-redshift. We will show several preliminary results from our recent observations.