HIGH-RESOLUTION SPECTROSCOPY OF THE BRIGHT QUASAR HS-1700+6416

We have analyzed high-resolution (b similar to 15 km s(-1)) optical sp ectra of the QSO HS 1700 + 6416 (z(em) = 2.72). The high signal-to-noi se ratio all across the Ly alpha forest down to Ly beta at z = z(em) a llows a reasonable determination of the neutral hydrogen column densit y as well as of the velocity dispersion of the intervening clouds. A w eak, but significant, trend for stronger lines to be broader suggests that their column densities (N-HI) and Doppler parameters (b) are rela ted. A simplified model of very flattened, highly ionized clouds, grav itationally confined by dark matter, gives a good representation of th e data, where the observed N-HI-b correlation is due to orientation ef fects.