Limits on the LyC signal from z ∼ 3 sources with secure redshift and HST coverage in the E-CDFS field

Context. Determining the strength of the Lyman continuum (LyC) and the fraction of LyC escape have implications for the properties of the emitting sources at any redshift, but also for the re-ionization of the Universe at z > 6. Aims. We aim to measure the LyC signal from a sample of sources in the Chandra deep field south. We collect star-forming galaxies (SFGs) and active galactic nuclei (AGN) with accurate spectroscopic redshifts, for which Hubble Space Telescope (HST) coverage and multi-wavelength photometry are available. Methods. We selected a sample of about 200 sources at z similar to 3. Taking advantage of HST resolution, we applied a careful cleaning procedure and rejected sources showing nearby clumps with different colours, which could be lower-z interlopers. Our clean sample consisted of 86 SFGs (including 19 narrow-band selected Ly alpha emitters) and 8 AGN (including 6 detected in X-rays). We measured the LyC flux from aperture photometry in four narrow-band filters covering wavelengths below a 912 angstrom rest frame (3.11 < z < 3.53). We estimated the ratio between ionizing (LyC flux) and 1400 angstrom non-ionizing emissions for AGN and galaxies. Results. By running population synthesis models, we assume an average intrinsic L-gamma (1400 angstrom) /L-gamma (900 angstrom) ratio of 5 as the representative value for our sample. With this value and an average treatment of the lines of sight of the inter-galactic medium, we estimate the LyC escape fraction relative to the intrinsic value (fesc(rel)(LyC)). We do not directly detect ionizing radiation from any individual SFG, but we are able to set a 1(2)sigma upper limit of fesc(rel)(LyC) < 12(24)%. This result is consistent with other non-detections published in the literature. No meaningful limits can be calculated for the sub-sample of Ly alpha emitters. We obtain one significant direct detection for an AGN at z = 3.46, with fesc(rel)(LyC) = (72 +/- 18)%. Conclusions. Our upper limit on fesc(rel)(LyC) implies that the SFGs studied here do not present either the physical properties or the geometric conditions suitable for efficient LyC-photon escape.