The centimeter-to-submillimeter broad-band radio spectrum of the central compact component in a nearby type-II Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068

Abstract

Abstract We analyze all the available Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array archival data for the nearby type-II Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068, including new 100 GHz data with an angular resolution of 005, which was not included in previous continuum spectral analyses. By combining with the literature data based on the Very Large Array, we investigate the broad-band radio continuum spectrum of the central ≲7 pc region of NGC 1068. We find that the flux density is between ≈10 and 20 mJy at 5–700 GHz. Due to the inability of the model in previous studies to account for the newly added 100 GHz data point, we proceeded to update the models and make the necessary adjustments to the parameters. One possible interpretation of this broad-band radio spectrum is a combination of emission from the jet base, the dusty torus, and the compact X-raying corona with a magnetic field strength of ≈20 G on scales of ≈30 Schwarzschild radii from the central black hole. In order to firmly identify the compact corona by omitting any other possible extended components (e.g., free–free emission from ionized gas in the vicinity), high-resolution/sensitivity observations achieved by next-generation interferometers will be necessary.