Dark-ages reionization and galaxy formation simulation-XI. Clustering and halo masses of high redshift galaxies

We investigate the clustering properties of Lyman-break galaxies (LBGs) at z~6-8. Using the semi-analytical model MERAXES constructed as part of the dark-ages reionization and galaxyformation observables from numerical simulation (DRAGONS) project, we predict the angular correlation function (ACF) of LBGs at z ~ 6-8. Overall, we find that the predicted ACFs are in good agreement with recent measurements at z~6 and z~7.2 from observations consisting of the Hubble eXtreme Deep Field, the Hubble Ultra Deep Field and cosmic sssembly nearinfrared deep extragalactic legacy survey field. We confirm the dependence of clustering on luminosity, with more massive dark matter haloes hosting brighter galaxies, remains valid at high redshift. The predicted galaxy bias at fixed luminosity is found to increase with redshift, in agreement with observations. We find that LBGs of magnitude MAB(1600) < -19.4 at 6 ≲ z ≲ 8 reside in dark matter haloes of mean mass ~1011.0-1011.5M⊙, and this dark matter halo mass does not evolve significantly during reionisation.