The metal line systems in HS1700+6416: Evidence for inhomogeneities

We present a high S/N ratio optical spectrum of the bright quasar HS 1700+6416. These data usefully complement the UV HST data from Vogel & Reimers (1995). We analyse the metal line systems using photo-ionization models allowing for inhomogeneities in the gas. The models are able to reproduce within a factor of two the large N(He I)/N(H I) ratio together with the mean column densities of the heavy element species observed in the z similar to 2 systems. The density contrast between low and high density regions is of the order of 30. Although the [O/C] abundance ratio seems slighly larger than solar, firm conclusion should await higher spectral resolution data. A break at the He II ionization limit of a factor of ten is acceptable in the ionizing spectrum. Abundances are found to be about 0.08 Z..