X-Ray Jets in the High-redshift Quasars J1405+0415 and J1610+1811

Abstract

We investigate Chandra X-ray observations of the radio-loud quasars J1405+0415 and J1610+1811 at redshifts z = 3.215 and z = 3.122, respectively, for evidence of extended X-ray emission. Observations totalling 95 ks per target are combined, and X-ray jets that are spatially coincident with known radio features are detected at a greater than 4σ significance. Hardness ratios and emission spectra are determined for all X-ray features, and X-ray fluxes and luminosities are measured. Jet-to-core X-ray flux ratios are estimated for each system, and the ratios are consistent with those observed for nearby and more distant jet systems, although the spread in the parameter is large. These results suggest that to first order the X-ray jet emission mechanisms are redshift invariant. In addition to the extended emission analysis, incorporating also archival data from Swift, we examined the properties of a decline in the Chandra flux from the active galactic nucleus (AGN) of J1610+1811 observed between 2018 and 2021. We conclude that the variability is most likely due to a flaring event that occurred between the years 2017 and 2018 and originated from either the AGN or the inner jet region.