Buried Active Galactic Nuclei Research Articles

A γ-Ray-emitting Collisional Ring Galaxy System in Our Galactic Neighborhood

The astrophysical γ-ray photons carry the signatures of the violent phenomena happening on various astronomical scales in our Universe. This includes supernova remnants, pulsars, and pulsar wind nebulae in the Galactic environment and extragalactic relativistic jets associated with active galactic nuclei (AGN). However, ∼30% of the γ-ray sources detected with the Fermi Large Area Telescope lack multiwavelength counterpart association, precluding us from characterizing their origin. Here we report, for the first time, the association of a collisional ring galaxy system in our Galactic neighborhood (distance ∼10 Mpc), formed as a consequence of a smaller “bullet” galaxy piercing through a larger galaxy, as the multifrequency counterpart of an unassociated γ-ray source 4FGL J1647.5−5724. The system, also known as “Kathryn’s Wheel,” contains two dwarf irregular galaxies and an edge-on, late-type, spiral galaxy surrounded by a ring of star-forming knots. We utilized observations taken from the Neil Gehrels Swift observatory, Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey, SuperCOSMOS Hα Survey, Dark Energy Survey, and VIsible MultiObject Spectrograph at Very Large Telescope to ascertain the association with 4FGL J1647.5−5724 and to explore the connection between the star-forming activities and the observed γ-ray emission. We found that star formation alone cannot explain the observed γ-ray emission, and additional contribution likely from the pulsars/supernova remnants or buried AGN is required. We conclude that arcsecond/subarcsecond-scale observations of this extraordinary γ-ray-emitting galaxy collision will be needed to resolve the environment and explore the origin of cosmic rays.

O iv]- and [Ne v]-weak Active Galactic Nuclei Hidden by Compton-thick Material in Late Mergers

We study “buried” active galactic nuclei (AGNs) almost fully covered by circumnuclear material in ultra/luminous infrared galaxies (U/LIRGs), which show weak ionized lines from narrow-line regions. Employing an indicator of a [O iv] 25.89 or [Ne v] 14.32 μm line to 12 μm AGN luminosity ratio, we find 17 buried AGN candidates that are [O iv]-weak (L [O IV]/L 12,AGN ≤ −3.0) or [Ne v]-weak (L [Ne V]/L 12,AGN ≤ −3.4) among 30 AGNs in local U/LIRGs. For the [O iv]-weak AGNs, we estimate their covering fractions of Compton-thick (CT; N H ≥ 1024 cm−2) material with an X-ray clumpy torus model to be fCT(spec)=0.55±0.19 on average. This value is consistent with the fraction of CT AGNs ( fCT(stat)=53%±12% ) among the [O iv]-weak AGNs in U/LIRGs and much larger than that in Swift/Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) AGNs (23% ± 6%). The fraction of [O iv]-weak AGNs increases from 27−10+13% (early) to 66−12+10% (late mergers). Similar results are obtained with the [Ne v] line. The [O iv]- or [Ne v]-weak AGNs in late mergers show larger N H and Eddington ratios (λ Edd) than those of the Swift/BAT AGNs, and the largest N H is ≳1025 cm−2 at logλEdd∼−1 , close to the effective Eddington limit for CT material. These suggest that (1) the circumnuclear material in buried AGNs is regulated by the radiation force from high-λ Edd AGNs on the CT obscurers, and (2) their dense material with large fCT(spec) (∼0.5 ± 0.1) in U/LIRGs is a likely cause of a unique structure of buried AGNs, whose amount of material may be maintained through merger-induced supply from their host galaxies.

Apparent Effect of Dust Extinction on the Observed Outflow Velocity of Ionized Gas in Galaxy Mergers

In this study, we examine photoionization outflows during the late stages of galaxy mergers, with a specific focus on the relation between the observed velocity of outflowing gas and the apparent effects of dust extinction. We used the N-body/smoothed particle hydrodynamics code ASURA for galaxy merger simulations. These simulations concentrated on identical galaxy mergers featuring supermassive black holes of 108 M ⊙ and gas fractions of 30% and 10%. From the simulation data, we derived velocity and velocity dispersion diagrams for the active galactic nuclei (AGN)-driven ionized outflowing gas. Our findings show that high-velocity outflows with velocity dispersions of 500 km s−1 or greater can be observed in the late stages of galactic mergers. Particularly, in buried AGNs, both the luminosity-weighted outflow velocity and velocity dispersion increase owing to the apparent effects of dust extinction. Owing to these effects, velocity–velocity dispersion diagrams display a noticeable blue-shifted tilt in models with higher gas fractions. Crucially, this tilt is not influenced by the AGN luminosity but emerges from the observational impacts of dust extinction. Our results imply that the observed high-velocity [O iii] λ5007 outflow exceeding 1000 km s−1 in buried AGNs may be linked to the dust extinction that occurs during the late stages of gas-rich galaxy mergers.

Large-scale clustering of buried X-ray AGN: Trends in AGN obscuration and redshift evolution

Aims. In order to test active galactic nucleus (AGN) unification and evolutionary models, we measured the AGN clustering properties as a function of AGN obscuration defined in terms of hydrogen column density, NH. In addition to measuring the clustering of unobscured (NH < 1022 cm−2) and moderately obscured (1022 ≤ NH < 1023.5) AGNs, we also targeted highly obscured sources (NH ≥ 1023.5) up to redshifts of z = 3. Methods. We have compiled one of the largest samples of X-ray-selected AGNs from a total of eight deep XMM/Chandra and multiwavelength surveys. We measured the clustering as a function of both AGN obscuration and redshift using the projected two-point correlation function, wp(rp). We modeled the large-scale clustering signal, measured the AGN bias, b(z, NH), and interpreted it in terms of the typical AGN host dark matter halo, Mhalo(z, NH). Results. We find no significant dependence of AGN clustering on obscuration, suggesting similar typical masses of the hosting halos as a function of NH. This result matches expectations of AGN unification models, in which AGN obscuration depends mainly on the viewing angle of the obscuring torus. We measured, for the first time, the clustering of highly obscured AGNs and find that these objects reside in halos with typical mass log Mhalo = 12.98−0.22+0.17[h−1 M⊙] (12.28−0.19+0.13) at low z ∼ 0.7 (high z ∼ 1.8) redshifts. We find that irrespective of obscuration, an increase in AGN bias with redshift is slower than the expectation for a constant halo mass and instead follows the growth rate of halos, known as the passive evolution track. This implies that for those AGNs the clustering is mainly driven by the mass growth rate of the hosting halos and galaxies across cosmic time.

The Extremely Buried Nucleus of IRAS 17208–0014 Observed at Submillimeter and Near-infrared Wavelengths

Abstract The ultraluminous infrared galaxy IRAS 17208−0014 is a late-stage merger that hosts a buried active galactic nucleus (AGN). To investigate its nuclear structure, we performed high-spatial-resolution ( ∼ 0.″04 ∼ 32 pc) Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations in Band 9 (∼450 μm or ∼660 GHz), along with near-infrared AKARI spectroscopy in 2.5–5.0 μm. The Band 9 dust continuum peaks at the AGN location, and toward this position CO(J = 6 − 5) and CS(J = 14 − 13) are detected in absorption. Comparison with nonlocal thermal equilibrium calculations indicates that, within the central beam (r ∼ 20 pc), there exists a concentrated component that is dense (107 cm−3) and warm (>200 K) and has a large column density ( N H 2 > 10 23 cm − 2 ). The AKARI spectrum shows deep and broad CO rovibrational absorption at 4.67 μm. Its band profile is well reproduced with a similarly dense and large column but hotter (∼1000 K) gas. The region observed through absorption in the near-infrared is highly likely in the nuclear direction, as in the submillimeter, but with a narrower beam including a region closer to the nucleus. The central component is considered to possess a hot structure where vibrationally excited HCN emission originates. The most plausible heating source for the gas is X-rays from the AGN. The AKARI spectrum does not show other AGN signs in 2.5–4 μm, but this absence may be usual for AGNs buried in a hot mid-infrared core. Further, based on our ALMA observations, we relate the various nuclear structures of IRAS 17208−0014 that have been proposed in the literature.

Radio properties of 10 nearby ultraluminous infrared galaxies with signatures of luminous buried active galactic nuclei

ABSTRACT We present the results of our multifrequency observations for 10 ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) made by the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array at 1.4, 5.5, 9.0, and 14.0 GHz. Our sample is selected from ULIRGs whose active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are not found at optical wavelengths (∼70 per cent of the total ULIRGs), but whose presence is suggested by mid-infrared or submillimetre observations (>50 per cent of the non-AGN ULIRGs at optical wavelengths). The statistical properties of the targets are similar to those of the entire ULIRG sample, which implies that ULIRGs have common radiative processes regardless of the presence of optical AGNs, and thus AGNs might equally contribute to the radio emission of every ULIRG. Although their spectra are mainly explained by starbursts and/or merger activity, some individual sources suggest contributions from AGNs. IRAS 00188−0856, whose optical morphology is not disturbed, shows a large non-thermal fraction and a spectral break at high frequency, which can be explained by synchrotron ageing of non-thermal plasma emitted from AGNs. In addition, we find 100-kpc-scale extended emission associated with IRAS 01004−2237. The two-sided morphology and absence of extended X-ray emission suggest that this system is not induced by a merger in a cluster but originates from AGN activity.

The AGN contribution to the UV–FIR luminosities of interacting galaxies and its role in identifying the main sequence

ABSTRACT Emission from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is known to play an important role in the evolution of many galaxies including luminous and ultraluminous systems (U/LIRGs), as well as merging systems. However, the extent, duration, and exact effects of its influence are still imperfectly understood. To assess the impact of AGNs on interacting systems, we present a spectral energy distribution (SED) analysis of a sample of 189 nearby galaxies. We gather and systematically re-reduce archival broad-band imaging mosaics from the ultraviolet to the far-infrared using data from GALEX, SDSS, 2MASS, IRAS, WISE, Spitzer, and Herschel. We use spectroscopy from Spitzer/IRS to obtain fluxes from fine-structure lines that trace star formation and AGN activity. Utilizing the SED modelling and fitting tool cigale, we derive the physical conditions of the interstellar medium, both in star-forming regions and in nuclear regions dominated by the AGN in these galaxies. We investigate how the star formation rates (SFRs) and the fractional AGN contributions (fAGN) depend on stellar mass, galaxy type, and merger stage. We find that luminous galaxies more massive than about $10^{10} \,\rm {M}_{*}$ are likely to deviate significantly from the conventional galaxy main-sequence relation. Interestingly, infrared AGN luminosity and stellar mass in this set of objects are much tighter than SFR and stellar mass. We find that buried AGNs may occupy a locus between bright starbursts and pure AGNs in the fAGN–[Ne v]/[Ne ii] plane. We identify a modest correlation between fAGN and mergers in their later stages.

ALMA resolves the remarkable molecular jet and rotating wind in the extremely radio-quiet galaxy NGC 1377

Submillimetre and millimetre line and continuum observations are important in probing the morphology, column density, and dynamics of the molecular gas and dust around obscured active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and their mechanical feedback. With very high-resolution (0.​​″02 × 0.​​″03 (2 × 3 pc)) ALMA 345 GHz observations of CO 3–2, HCO+ 4–3, vibrationally excited HCN 4–3 ν2 = 1f, and continuum we have studied the remarkable, extremely radio-quiet, molecular jet and wind of the lenticular galaxy NGC 1377. The outflow structure is resolved, revealing a 150 pc long, clumpy, high-velocity (∼600 km s−1), collimated molecular jet where the molecular emission is emerging from the spine of the jet with an average diameter of 3–7 pc. The jet widens to 10–15 pc about 25 pc from the centre, which is possibly due to jet-wind interactions. A narrow-angle (50°–70°), misaligned and rotating molecular wind surrounds the jet, and both are enveloped by a larger-scale CO-emitting structure at near-systemic velocity. The jet and narrow wind have steep radial gas excitation gradients and appear turbulent with high gas dispersion (σ > 40 km s−1). The jet shows velocity reversals that we propose are caused by precession, or more episodic directional changes. We discuss the mechanisms powering the outflow, and we find that an important process for the molecular jet and narrow wind is likely magneto-centrifugal driving. In contrast, the large-scale CO-envelope may be a slow wind, or cocoon that stems from jet-wind interactions. An asymmetric, nuclear r ∼ 2 pc dust structure with a high inferred molecular column density N(H2) ≃1.8 × 1024 cm−2 is detected in continuum and also shows compact emission from vibrationally excited HCN. The nuclear dust emission is hot (Td > 180 K) and its luminosity is likely powered by a buried AGN. The lopsided structure appears to be a warped disk, which is responsible for a significant part of the nuclear obscuration and possibly formed as a result of uneven gas inflows. The dynamical mass inside r = 1.4 pc is estimated to 9−3+2 × 106 M⊙, implying that the supermassive black hole (SMBH) has a high mass with respect to the stellar velocity dispersion of NGC 1377. We suggest that the SMBH of NGC 1377 is currently in a state of moderate growth, at the end of a more intense phase of accretion and also evolving from a state of more extreme nuclear obscuration. The nuclear growth may be fuelled by low-angular momentum gas inflowing from the gas ejected in the molecular jet and wind. Such a feedback-loop of cyclic outflows and central accretion could explain why there is still a significant reservoir of molecular gas in this ageing, lenticular galaxy. A feedback-loop would be an effective process in growing the nuclear SMBH and thus would constitute an important phase in the evolution of NGC 1377. This also invites new questions as to SMBH growth processes in obscured, dusty galaxies.

Nature of Compton-thick Active Galactic Nuclei in “Nonmerging” Luminous Infrared Galaxies UGC 2608 and NGC 5135 Revealed with Broadband X-Ray Spectroscopy

Abstract We have analyzed the broadband X-ray spectra of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in two “nonmerging” luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs), UGC 2608 and NGC 5135, utilizing the data of Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, Suzaku, XMM-Newton, and Chandra. Applying the X-ray clumpy-torus model (XCLUMPY), we find that both sources have similar spectra characterized by Compton-thick (CT) absorption ( ∼ 5–7 × 1024 cm−2) and small torus angular width (σ < 20°). The intrinsic 2–10 keV luminosities are × 1043 erg s−1 (UGC 2608) and × 1043 erg s−1 (NGC 5135). The [O iv]-to-nuclear-12 μm luminosity ratios are larger than those of typical Seyferts, which are consistent with the torus covering factors ( 0.7) estimated from the torus angular widths and column densities by X-ray spectroscopy. The torus covering factors and Eddington ratios ( ∼ 0.1) follow the relation found by Ricci et al. for local AGNs, implying that their tori become geometrically thin, due to significant radiation pressure of the AGN that blows out some part of the tori. These results indicate that the CT AGNs in these “nonmerger” LIRGs are just a normal AGN population seen edge-on through a large line-of-sight column density. They are in contrast to the buried CT AGNs in late-stage mergers that have large torus covering factors even at large Eddington ratios.

Subaru Infrared Adaptive Optics-assisted High-spatial-resolution Imaging Search for Luminous Dual Active Galactic Nuclei in Nearby Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies

Abstract We present infrared K′-band (2.1 μm) and L′-band (3.8 μm) high-spatial-resolution (<0.″3) imaging observations of 17 nearby (z < 0.17) ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) assisted with the adaptive optics of the Subaru Telescope. We search for compact red K′ − L′ color emission as the indicator of luminous active galactic nuclei (AGNs) due to AGN-heated hot dust emission. Two luminous dual AGN candidates are revealed. Combining these results with those of our previous study, we can state that the detected fraction of luminous dual AGNs in nearby ULIRGs is much less than unity (<20%), even when infrared wavelengths >2 μm are used that should be sensitive to buried AGNs due to small dust extinction effects. For ULIRGs with resolved multiple nuclear K′-band emission, we estimate the activation of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in individual galaxy nuclei in the form of AGN luminosity normalized by SMBH mass inferred from the stellar luminosity of the host galaxy. We confirm a trend that more massive SMBHs in K′-band brighter primary galaxy nuclei are generally more active, with higher SMBH-mass-normalized AGN luminosity, than less massive SMBHs in K′-band fainter secondary galaxy nuclei, as predicted by numerical simulations of gas-rich major galaxy mergers. In two sources, the presence of even infrared-elusive extremely deeply buried AGNs is indicated by comparisons with available (sub)millimeter data. Non-synchronous SMBH activation (i.e., less activation of less massive SMBHs) and the possible presence of such infrared-elusive AGNs may be responsible for the small fraction of infrared-detected luminous dual AGNs in nearby merging ULIRGs.

Luminosity Ratio between [O iv] 25.89 μm Line and Nuclear Continuum 12 μm as a Diagnostic for “Buried” AGNs

Abstract We propose new diagnostics that utilize the [O iv] 25.89 μm and nuclear (subarcsecond scale) 12 μm luminosity ratios for identifying whether an active galactic nucleus (AGN) is deeply “buried” in their surrounding materials. Utilizing a sample of 16 absorbed AGNs at redshifts lower than 0.03 in the Swift/BAT catalog observed with Suzaku, we find that AGNs with small scattering fractions (<0.5%) tend to show weaker [O iv]-to-12 μm luminosity ratios than the average of Seyfert 2 galaxies. This suggests that this ratio is a good indicator for identifying buried AGNs. Then, we apply this criterion to 23 local luminous and ultraluminous infrared galaxies (U/LIRGs) in various merger stages hosting AGNs. We find that AGNs in most mid- to late-stage mergers are buried, while those in earlier-stage ones (including nonmerger) are not. This result suggests that the fraction of buried AGNs in U/LIRGs increases as the galaxy–galaxy interaction becomes more significant.

ALMA Spatially Resolved Dense Molecular Gas Survey of Nearby Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies

Abstract We present the results of our Atacama Large Millimeter Array HCN J = 3–2 and HCO+ J = 3–2 line observations of a uniformly selected sample (>25) of nearby ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) at z < 0.15. The emission of these dense molecular gas tracers and continuum are spatially resolved in the majority of observed ULIRGs for the first time with achieved synthesized beam sizes of ≲0.″2 or ≲500 pc. In most ULIRGs, the HCN-to-HCO+ J = 3–2 flux ratios in the nuclear regions within the beam size are systematically higher than those in the spatially extended regions. The elevated nuclear HCN J = 3–2 emission could be related to (a) luminous buried active galactic nuclei, (b) the high molecular gas density and temperature in ULIRG’s nuclei, and/or (c) mechanical heating by spatially compact nuclear outflows. A small fraction of the observed ULIRGs display higher HCN-to-HCO+ J = 3–2 flux ratios in localized off-nuclear regions than those of the nuclei, which may be due to mechanical heating by spatially extended outflows. The observed nearby ULIRGs are generally rich in dense (>105 cm−3) molecular gas, with an estimated mass of >109 M ⊙ within the nuclear (a few kpc) regions, and dense gas can dominate the total molecular mass there. We find a low detection rate (<20%) regarding the possible signature of a vibrationally excited (v 2 = 1f) HCN J = 3–2 emission line in the vicinity of the bright HCO+ J = 3–2 line that may be due, in part, to the large molecular line widths of ULIRGs.

A systematic study of ULIRGs using near-infrared absorption bands reveals a strong UV environment in their star-forming regions

Abstract We present a systematic study of the 3.0 μm H2O ice and the 3.4 μm aliphatic carbon absorption features toward 48 local ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) using spectra obtained by the AKARI Infrared Camera to investigate the UV environment in their star-forming regions. All the ULIRGs in our sample exhibit a ratio of optical depth of H2O ice to silicate dust (τ3.0/τ9.7) that is lower than that in the Taurus dark cloud. This implies that ULIRGs cannot be described as an ensemble of low-mass star-forming regions and that a significant amount of high-mass star-forming regions contribute to star-forming clouds in local ULIRGs. The results also show that the ratios of optical depth of aliphatic carbon to silicate dust, τ3.4/τ9.7, exhibit diverse values. We investigate two effects that can affect this ratio: the geometric temperature gradient (which increases the ratio) and the intense UV environment (which decreases it). The geometric temperature gradient is typically considered as a sign of active galactic nuclei (AGN). ULIRGs with AGN signs (optical classification, near-infrared color, and a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emission strength of $3.3\, \mu$m) indeed tend to exhibit a large τ3.4/τ9.7 ratio. However, we find that the presence of buried AGN is not the only cause of the geometric temperature gradient, because the enhancement of the ratio is also evident in pure starburst-like ULIRGs without these AGN signs. Regarding the intense UV environment in star-forming regions, the correlation between the aliphatic carbon ratio and the ratio of the [C ii] 158 μm line luminosity to the far-infrared luminosity ($L_{[\mathrm{C}\,\,\small {ii}]}/L_{\mathrm{FIR}}$), which represents the UV environment in photodissociation regions, implies that the intense UV environment causes the decrease of the aliphatic carbon ratio. We find that an intense UV environment (G/nH > 3) in star-forming regions is needed for the aliphatic carbon ratio to be suppressed.

Multiwavelength analysis of OH Megamaser galaxies: The case of IRAS11506-3851

AbstractWe present Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) Integral Field Unit (IFU), Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and Very Large Array (VLA) observations of the inner kpc of the OH Megamaser galaxy IRAS 11506-3851. In this work we discuss the kinematics and excitation of the gas as well as its radio emission. The HST images reveal an isolated spiral galaxy and the combination with the GMOS-IFU flux distributions allowed us to identify a partial ring of star-forming regions surrounding the nucleus with a radius of ≍500 pc. The emission-line ratios and excitation map reveal that the region inside the ring present mixed/transition excitation between those of Starbursts and Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), while regions along the ring are excited by Starbursts. We suggest that we are probing a buried or fading AGN that could be both exciting the gas and originating an outflow.

ALMA Multiple-transition Molecular Line Observations of the Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxy IRAS 20551–4250: Different HCN, HCO+, and HNC Excitation, and Implications for Infrared Radiative Pumping

Abstract We present our ALMA multi-transition molecular line observational results for the ultraluminous infrared galaxy IRAS 20551−4250, which is known to contain a luminous buried active galactic nucleus and shows detectable vibrationally excited (v 2 = 1f) HCN and HNC emission lines. The rotational J = 1–0, 4–3, and 8–7 of HCN, , and HNC emission lines were clearly detected at a vibrational ground level (v = 0). Vibrationally excited (v 2 = 1f) J = 4–3 emission lines were detected for HCN and HNC, but not for . Their observed flux ratios further support our previously obtained suggestion, based on J = 3–2 data, that (1) infrared radiative pumping plays a role in rotational excitation at v = 0, at least for HCN and HNC, and (2) HCN abundance is higher than and HNC. The flux measurements of the isotopologue H13CN, , and HN13C J = 3–2 emission lines support the higher HCN abundance scenario. Based on modeling with collisional excitation, we constrain the physical properties of these line-emitting molecular gases, but find that higher HNC rotational excitation than HCN and is difficult to explain, due to the higher effective critical density of HNC. We consider the effects of infrared radiative pumping using the available 5–30 μm infrared spectrum and find that our observational results are well-explained if the radiation source is located at 30–100 pc from the molecular gas. The simultaneously covered very bright CO J = 3–2 emission line displays a broad emission wing, which we interpret as being due to molecular outflow activity with the estimated rate of .

Buried AGNs in Advanced Mergers: Mid-infrared Color Selection as a Dual AGN Candidate Finder

Abstract A direct consequence of hierarchical galaxy formation is the existence of dual supermassive black holes, which may be preferentially triggered as active galactic nuclei (AGNs) during galaxy mergers. Despite decades of searching, however, dual AGNs are extremely rare, and most have been discovered serendipitously. Using the all-sky WISE survey, we identified a population of over 100 morphologically identified interacting galaxies or mergers that display red mid-infrared colors often associated in extragalactic sources with powerful AGNs. The vast majority of these advanced mergers are optically classified as star-forming galaxies, which suggests that they may represent an obscured population of AGNs that cannot be found through optical studies. In this work, we present Chandra/ACIS observations and near-infrared spectra with the Large Binocular Telescope of six advanced mergers with projected pair separations less than ∼10 kpc. The combined X-ray, near-infrared, and mid-infrared properties of these mergers provide confirmation that four out of the six mergers host at least one AGN, with four of the mergers possibly hosting dual AGNs with projected separations less than ∼10 kpc, despite showing no firm evidence for AGNs based on optical spectroscopic studies. Our results demonstrate that (1) optical studies miss a significant fraction of single and dual AGNs in advanced mergers, and (2) mid-infrared pre-selection is extremely effective in identifying dual AGN candidates in late-stage mergers. Our multi-wavelength observations suggest that the buried AGNs in these mergers are highly absorbed, with intrinsic column densities in excess of cm−2, consistent with hydrodynamic simulations.

Welcome to the Twilight Zone: The Mid-infrared Properties of Post-starburst Galaxies

Abstract We investigate the optical and Wide-field Survey Explorer (WISE) colors of “E+A” identified post-starburst galaxies, including a deep analysis of 190 post-starbursts detected in the 2 μm All Sky Survey Extended Source Catalog. The post-starburst galaxies appear in both the optical green valley and the WISE Infrared Transition Zone. Furthermore, we find that post-starbursts occupy a distinct region of [3.4]–[4.6] versus [4.6]–[12] WISE colors, enabling the identification of this class of transitioning galaxies through the use of broadband photometric criteria alone. We have investigated possible causes for the WISE colors of post-starbursts by constructing a composite spectral energy distribution (SED), finding that the mid-infrared (4–12 μm) properties of post-starbursts are consistent with either 11.3 μm polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emission, or thermally pulsating asymptotic giant branch (TP-AGB) and post-AGB stars. The composite SED of extended post-starburst galaxies with 22 μm emission detected with signal-to-noise ratio requires a hot dust component to produce their observed rising mid-infrared SED between 12 and 22 μm. The composite SED of WISE 22 μm non-detections (S/N < 3), created by stacking 22 μm images, is also flat, requiring a hot dust component. The most likely source of the mid-infrared emission of these E+A galaxies is a buried active galactic nucleus (AGN). The inferred upper limits to the Eddington ratios of post-starbursts are 10−2–10−4, with an average of 10−3. This suggests that AGNs are not radiatively dominant in these systems. This could mean that including selections capable of identifying AGNs as part of a search for transitioning and post-starburst galaxies would create a more complete census of the transition pathways taken as a galaxy quenches its star formation.

ALMA HCN AND HCO+ J = 3 − 2 OBSERVATIONS OF OPTICAL SEYFERT AND LUMINOUS INFRARED GALAXIES: CONFIRMATION OF ELEVATED HCN-TO-HCO+ FLUX RATIOS IN AGNS

ABSTRACT We present the results of our ALMA observations of three active galactic nucleus (AGN)-dominated nuclei in optical Seyfert 1 galaxies (NGC 7469, I Zw 1, and IC 4329 A) and eleven luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs) with various levels of infrared estimated energetic contributions by AGNs at the HCN and HCO+ J = 3 − 2 emission lines. The HCN and HCO+ J = 3 − 2 emission lines are clearly detected at the main nuclei of all sources, except for IC 4329 A. The vibrationally excited (v 2 = 1f) HCN J = 3 − 2 and HCO+ J = 3 − 2 emission lines are simultaneously covered, and HCN v 2 = 1f J = 3 − 2 emission line signatures are seen in the main nuclei of two LIRGs, IRAS 12112+0305 and IRAS 22491–1808, neither of which shows clear buried AGN signatures in the infrared. If the vibrational excitation is dominated by infrared radiative pumping, through the absorption of infrared 14 μm photons, primarily originating from AGN-heated hot dust emission, then these two LIRGs may contain infrared-elusive, but (sub)millimeter-detectable, extremely deeply buried AGNs. These vibrationally excited emission lines are not detected in the three AGN-dominated optical Seyfert 1 nuclei. However, the observed HCN v 2 = 1f to v = 0 flux ratios in these optical Seyferts are still consistent with the intrinsic flux ratios in LIRGs with detectable HCN v 2 = 1f emission lines. The observed HCN-to-HCO+ J = 3 − 2 flux ratios tend to be higher in galactic nuclei with luminous AGN signatures compared with starburst-dominated regions, as previously seen at J = 1 − 0 and J = 4 − 3.

ALMA INVESTIGATION OF VIBRATIONALLY EXCITED HCN/HCO+/HNC EMISSION LINES IN THE AGN-HOSTING ULTRALUMINOUS INFRARED GALAXY IRAS 20551−4250

ABSTRACT We present the results of ALMA Cycle 2 observations of the ultraluminous infrared galaxy IRAS 20551−4250 at HCN/HCO+/HNC J = 3–2 lines at both vibrational ground (v = 0) and vibrationally excited (v 2 = 1) levels. This galaxy contains a luminous buried active galactic nucleus (AGN), in addition to starburst activity, and our ALMA Cycle 0 data revealed a tentatively detected vibrationally excited HCN v 2 = 1f J = 4–3 emission line. In our ALMA Cycle 2 data, the HCN/HCO+/HNC J = 3–2 emission lines at v = 0 are clearly detected. The HCN and HNC v 2 = 1f J = 3–2 emission lines are also detected, but the HCO+ v 2 = 1f J = 3–2 emission line is not. Given the high energy level of v 2 = 1 and the resulting difficulty of collisional excitation, we compared these results with those of the calculation of infrared radiative pumping, using the available infrared 5–35 μm spectrum. We found that all of the observational results were reproduced if the HCN abundance was significantly higher than that of HCO+ and HNC. The flux ratio and excitation temperature between v 2 = 1f and v = 0, after correction for possible line opacity, suggests that infrared radiative pumping affects rotational (J-level) excitation at v = 0 at least for HCN and HNC. The HCN-to-HCO+ v = 0 flux ratio is higher than those of starburst-dominated regions, and will increase even more when the derived high HCN opacity is corrected. The enhanced HCN-to-HCO+ flux ratio in this AGN-hosting galaxy can be explained by the high HCN-to-HCO+ abundance ratio and sufficient HCN excitation at up to J = 4, rather than the significantly higher efficiency of infrared radiative pumping for HCN than HCO+.

AKARIIRC 2.5-5 μm SPECTROSCOPY OF INFRARED GALAXIES OVER A WIDE LUMINOSITY RANGE

We present the result of a systematic infrared 2.5-5 um spectroscopic study of 22 nearby infrared galaxies over a wide infrared luminosity range (10 < log(L_IR / Lsun) < 13) obtained from AKARI Infrared Camera (IRC). The unique band of the AKARI IRC spectroscopy enables us to access both the 3.3 um polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission feature from star forming activity and the continuum of torus-dust emission heated by an active galactic nucleus (AGN). Applying our AGN diagnostics to the AKARI spectra, we discover 14 buried AGNs. The large fraction of buried AGNs suggests that AGN activity behind the dust is almost ubiquitous in ultra-/luminous infrared galaxies (U/LIRGs). We also find that both the fraction and energy contribution of buried AGNs increase with infrared luminosity from 10 < log(L_IR / Lsun) < 13, including normal infrared galaxies with log (L_IR / Lsun) < 11. The energy contribution from AGNs in the total infrared luminosity is only ~7% in LIRGs and ~20% in ULIRGs, suggesting that the majority of the infrared luminosity originates from starburst activity. Using the PAH emission, we investigate the luminosity relation between star formation and AGN. We find that these infrared galaxies exhibit higher star formation rates than optically selected Seyfert galaxies with the same AGN luminosities, implying that infrared galaxies could be an early evolutionary phase of AGN.