Observational constraints on the metagalactic Ly$α$ photon scattering rate at high redshift

Abstract: The scattering of Ly$\alpha$ photons from the first radiating sources in the Universe plays a pivotal role in 21-cm radio detections of Cosmic Dawn and the Epoch of Reionization through the Wouthuysen-Field effect. New data from JWST show the Ly$\alpha$ photon scattering rate exceeds that required to decouple the intergalactic hydrogen spin temperature from that of the Cosmic Microwave Background up to $z\sim14$ and render the neutral hydrogen visible over the main redshift range expected for the Epoch of Reionization.