INTERGALACTIC UV BACKGROUND-RADIATION FIELD

We have performed proximity effect analysis of low and high resolution data, considering detailed frequency and redshift dependence of the A GN spectra processed through galactic and intergalactic material. We s how that such a background flux, calculated using the observed distrib ution of AGNs, falls short of the value required by the proximity effe ct analysis by a factor of greater than or equal to 2.7. We have studi ed the uncertainty in the value of the required flux due to its depend ence on the resolution, description of column density distribution, sy stemic redshifts of QSOs etc. We conclude that in view of these uncert ainties the proximity effect is consistent with the background contrib uted by the observed AGNs and that the hypothesized presence of an add itional, dust extinct, population of AGNs may not be necessary.