Low-ionization Broad Absorption Line Quasar Research Articles

The Physical Properties of Low-redshift FeLoBAL Quasars. IV. Optical–Near-IR Spectral Energy Distributions and Near-IR Variability Properties

We present the optical–near-infrared spectral energy distributions (SED) and near-infrared variability properties of 30 low-redshift iron low-ionization Broad Absorption Line quasars (FeLoBALQs) and matched samples of LoBALQs and unabsorbed quasars. Significant correlations between the SED properties and accretion rate indicators found among the unabsorbed comparison sample objects suggest an intrinsic origin for SED differences. A range of reddening likely mutes these correlations among the FeLoBAL quasars. The rest-frame optical-band reddening is correlated with the location of the outflow, suggesting a link between the outflows and the presence of dust. We analyzed the WISE variability and provide a correction for photometry uncertainties in an appendix. We found an anticorrelation between the variability amplitude and inferred continuum emission region size, and we suggest that as the origin of the anticorrelation between variability amplitude and luminosity typically observed in quasars. We found that the LoBALQ Optical Emission-line and other parameters are more similar to those of the unabsorbed continuum sample objects than the FeLoBALQs. Thus, FeLoBAL quasars are a special population of objects. We interpret the results using an accretion-rate scenario for FeLoBAL quasars. The high-accretion-rate FeLoBAL quasars are radiating powerfully enough to drive a thick, high-velocity outflow. Quasars with intermediate accretion rates may have an outflow, but it is not sufficiently thick to include Fe ii absorption. Low-accretion-rate FeLoBAL outflows originate in absorption in a failing torus, no longer optically thick enough to reprocess radiation into the near-IR.

Comprehensive Connection among the Quasars with Different Types of Outflow Absorption Lines

It is commonly accepted that outflows from the central regions of quasars play a substantial role in regulating the global properties of the host galaxy. These outflows are typically detected through blueshifted absorption lines. However, the question remains whether outflows observed with different absorption line types indeed reflect the same environmental or evolutionary stage of the host galaxy. In this study, we use the Sloan Digital Sky Survey quasar catalog and employ the flux ratio of [O II] and [Ne V] emission lines as indicators to compare star formation rates (SFRs) within host galaxies of quasars exhibiting various outflow absorption line types: low-ionization broad absorption line (LoBAL), low-ionization Mini-BAL (LoMini-BAL), low-ionization narrow absorption line (LoNAL), high-ionization broad absorption line (HiBAL), high-ionization Mini-BAL (HiMini-BAL), and high-ionization narrow absorption line (HiNAL). Our findings indicate that the SFR of LoMini-BAL quasars is comparable to that of LoNAL quasars, somewhat less than that of LoBAL quasars, but markedly greater than that of HiBAL quasars. Furthermore, the SFR of HiMini-BAL quasars mirrors that of HiNAL or Non-abs (no associated absorption lines) quasars, but is significantly higher than that of HiBAL quasars. If we consider that differing absorption line types are indicative of the quasar evolution stage, our results propose an inclusive evolution sequence: LoBALs evolve into LoMini-BALs/LoNALs, then progress to HiBALs, and ultimately morph into HiMini-BALs/HiNALs/Non-abs. Concomitantly, the SFR within the host galaxies of quasars appears to decline noticeably nearing the LoNAL phase’s end and rejuvenates before the HiMini-BAL phase.

The Physical Properties of Low-redshift FeLoBAL Quasars. II. The Rest-frame Optical Emission Line Properties

We report the results of an analysis of the Hβ emission line region of a sample of 30 low-redshift (z < 1) iron low-ionization broad absorption line quasars (FeLoBALQs). Eleven of these objects are newly classified as FeLoBALQs. A matched sample of 132 unabsorbed quasars was analyzed in parallel. The emission lines showed the well-known anticorrelation between the [O iii] and Fe ii emission. Using a summary statistic called E1 to quantify this anticorrelation, we found that while the distribution of E1 for the unabsorbed quasars has a single peak, the FeLoBALQs have a bimodal shape in this parameter. Previous studies have shown that the line emission properties of BAL and non-BALQs are consistent; therefore, the difference in the Hβ region emission between FeLoBALQs and unabsorbed quasars is a new result. The two populations of FeLoBALQs are characterized by low and high bolometric luminosities and Eddington ratios. Some previous studies have suggested that BALQs are high accretion rate objects and therefore the discovery of the low accretion rate branch of FeLoBAL quasars was unexpected. We also found that the Hβ FWHM is systematically broader among the FeLoBALQs, implying a higher inclination viewing angle or a dearth of low velocity line emitting gas.

Galactic-scale Broad Absorption Line Outflow in the Quasar SDSS J144842.45+042403.1

Abstract We report a clear detection of He i*λλ2946, 3189, and 3889 broad absorption line (BAL) in the low-ionization BAL (LoBAL) quasar SDSS J144842.45+042403.1. We also detected new BALs, including Lyα, C ii, and Si iv, as well as optical emission lines, such as Hα, Hβ, and [O iii]. Using photoionization simulations, we constrained the physical conditions of the outflow to a hydrogen column density of N H ≈ 1021.3 cm−2, an ionization parameter of U ≈ 10−1.4, and a hydrogen number density of n H ≈ 103.6 cm−3, and located its radial distance at r abs ∼ 1.52 kpc from the central engine. The photoionization model predicts the presence of a Lyman limit system with H i column density of N H i ∼ 3.0 × 1017–1.2 × 1018 cm−2, which is confirmed by the GALEX photometry. Interestingly, we found that the [O iii] emission line doublet has an outflow component at a large blueshift of v ∼ 1700 km s−1 and a width of FWHM ∼ 5000 km s−1. Assuming that we are witnessing the same outflow in both emission and absorption lines, we estimate the global covering fraction of the emission line outflow to be ∼4%, its mass-loss rate to be ∼70 M ⊙ yr−1 and its kinetic luminosity to be ∼3.2 × 1044 erg s−1. SDSS J1448+0424 is a representative example of a significant fraction of LoBAL quasars, which deserves further studies to understand the connection between the growth of supermassive black holes and the evolution of their host galaxies.

Discovery of Strong Balmer Line Absorption in Two Luminous LoBAL Quasars at z ∼ 1.5

Abstract We present the discovery of strong Balmer line absorption in Hα to Hγ in two luminous low-ionization broad absorption line quasars at , with black hole masses around from near-IR spectroscopy. There are only two previously known quasars at showing Balmer line absorption. SDSS J1019+0225 shows blueshifted absorption by ∼1400 km s−1 with an Hα rest-frame equivalent width of 13 Å. In SDSS J0859+4239, we find redshifted absorption by ∼500 km s−1 with an Hα rest-frame equivalent width of 7 Å. The redshifted absorption could indicate an inflow of high-density gas onto the black hole, though we cannot rule out alternative interpretations. The Balmer line absorption in both objects appears to be saturated, indicating partial coverage of the background source by the absorber. We estimate the covering fractions and optical depth of the absorber and derive neutral hydrogen column densities, N H i ∼ 1.3 × 1018 cm−2 for SDSS J1019+0225 and N H i ∼ 9 × 1017 cm−2 for SDSS J0859+4239. In addition, the optical spectra reveal also absorption troughs in He i* and in both objects.

Does the Compact Radio Jet in PG 1700+518 Drive a Molecular Outflow?

Abstract Radio jets play an important role in quasar feedback, but direct observations showing how the jets interact with the multi-phase interstellar medium of galaxy disks are few and far between. In this work, we provide new millimeter interferometric observations of PG 1700+518 in order to investigate the effect of its radio jet on the surrounding molecular gas. PG 1700 is a radio-quiet, low-ionization broad absorption line quasar whose host galaxy has a nearby interacting companion. On subkiloparsec scales, the ionized gas is driven to high velocities by a compact radio jet that is identified by radio interferometry. We present observations from the NOrthern Extended Millimeter Array (NOEMA) interferometer with a 3.″8 (16 kpc) synthesized beam where we detect the emission line at significance with a total flux of 3.12 ± 0.02 Jy km s−1 and a typical velocity dispersion of 125 ± 5 km s−1. Despite the outflow in ionized gas, we find no concrete evidence that the CO gas is being affected by the radio jet on size scales of a kiloparsec or more. However, a ∼1″ drift in the spatial centroid of the CO emission as a function of velocity across the emission line and the compact nature of the jet hint that higher spatial resolution observations may reveal a signal of interaction between the jet and molecular gas.

Near-IR Spectroscopy of Luminous LoBAL Quasars at 1 &lt; z &lt; 2.5

Abstract We present near-IR spectroscopy of 22 luminous low-ionization broad absorption line quasars (LoBAL QSOs) at redshift , with 12 objects at z ∼ 1.5 and 10 at z ∼ 2.3. The spectra cover the rest-frame Hα and Hβ line regions, allowing us to obtain robust black hole mass estimates based on the broad Hα line. We use these data, augmented by a lower-redshift sample from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, to test the proposed youth scenario for LoBALs, which suggests that LoBALs constitute an early short-lived evolutionary stage of quasar activity, by probing for any difference in their masses, Eddington ratios, or rest-frame optical spectroscopic properties compared to normal quasars. In addition, we construct the UV to mid-IR spectral energy distributions (SEDs) for the LoBAL sample and a matched non-BAL quasar sample. We do not find any statistically significant difference between LoBAL QSOs and non-BAL QSOs in their black hole mass or Eddington ratio distributions. The mean UV to mid-IR SED of the LoBAL QSOs is consistent with non-BAL QSOs, apart from their stronger reddening. At there is no clear difference in their optical emission line properties. We do not see particularly weak [O iii] or strong Fe ii emission. The LoBAL QSOs do not show a stronger prevalence of ionized gas outflows as traced by the [O iii] line, compared to normal QSOs of similar luminosity. We conclude that the optical–MIR properties of LoBAL QSOs are consistent with the general quasar population and do not support them to constitute a special phase of active galactic nucleus evolution.

Extreme Variability in a Broad Absorption Line Quasar

Abstract CRTS J084133.15+200525.8 is an optically bright quasar at z = 2.345 that has shown extreme spectral variability over the past decade. Photometrically, the source had a visual magnitude of V ∼ 17.3 between 2002 and 2008. Then, over the following five years, the source slowly brightened by approximately one magnitude, to V ∼ 16.2. Only ∼1 in 10,000 quasars show such extreme variability, as quantified by the extreme parameters derived for this quasar assuming a damped random walk model. A combination of archival and newly acquired spectra reveal the source to be an iron low-ionization broad absorption line quasar with extreme changes in its absorption spectrum. Some absorption features completely disappear over the 9 years of optical spectra, while other features remain essentially unchanged. We report the first definitive redshift for this source, based on the detection of broad Hα in a Keck/MOSFIRE spectrum. Absorption systems separated by several 1000 km s−1 in velocity show coordinated weakening in the depths of their troughs as the continuum flux increases. We interpret the broad absorption line variability to be due to changes in photoionization, rather than due to motion of material along our line of sight. This source highlights one sort of rare transition object that astronomy will now be finding through dedicated time-domain surveys.

Discovery of a z = 0.65 post-starburst BAL quasar in the DES supernova fields

We present the discovery of a z = 0.65 low-ionization broad absorption line (LoBAL) quasar in a post-starburst galaxy in data from the Dark Energy Survey (DES) and spectroscopy from the Australian Dark Energy Survey (OzDES). LoBAL quasars are a minority of all BALs, and rarer still is that this object also exhibits broad Fe ii (an FeLoBAL) and Balmer absorption. This is the first BAL quasar that has signatures of recently truncated star formation, which we estimate ended about 40 Myr ago. The characteristic signatures of an FeLoBAL require high column densities, which could be explained by the emergence of a young quasar from an early, dust-enshrouded phase, or by clouds compressed by a blast wave. The age of the starburst component is comparable to estimates of the lifetime of quasars, so if we assume the quasar activity is related to the truncation of the star formation, this object is better explained by the blast wave scenario.

TRACING THE OUTFLOW OF Az= 0.334 FeLoBAL: NEW CONSTRAINTS FROM LOW-IONIZATION ABSORBERS IN FBQS J1151+3822

We show for the first time that FBQS J1151+3822 is an iron low-ionization broad absorption line quasar (FeLoBAL QSO), the second-brightest and second-closest known example of this class. He I* and Fe II together act as an effective analytical tool, allowing us to obtain useful kinematic constraints from photoionization models of the outflow without needing to assume any particular acceleration model. The main outflow's log ionization parameter is -1.5, the log hydrogen density [cm^(-3)] 5.5 to 8, the log hydrogen column density [cm^(-2)] 21.7 to 21.9, the absorption radius 7.2 to 127 pc, and the kinetic luminosity 0.16% to 4.5% of the bolometric luminosity. We obtain line-of-sight covering fractions of ~0.25 for strong Fe II, ~0.5 for He I*, and ~0.6 for Mg II. Narrower and shallower absorption lines from weaker Fe II and Mn II with outflow velocity ~3400 km/s have appeared between 2005 and 2011, suggesting that dense cores may have condensed inside the main outflow. Consideration of the literature might suggest that the FBQS J1151+3822 outflow is a member of a rare and distinct sub-class of FeLoBALs with high densities and correspondingly small absorption radii. We find, however, that such outflows are not necessarily a distinct sub-class, and that their apparent rarity could be a symptom of selection bias in studies using density-sensitive lines.

The orientation and polarization of broad absorption line quasars★

We present new spectropolarimetric observations of 8 radio-loud broad absorption line (BAL) quasars, and combine these new data with our previous spectropolarimetric atlases (of both radio-loud and radio-quiet objects) in order to investigate the polarization properties of BAL quasars as a group. The total (radio-selected) sample includes 36 (26) high-ionization and 22 (15) low-ionization BAL quasars. On average, we confirm that broad emission lines are polarized at a level similar to or less than the continuum and broad absorption troughs are more highly polarized, but we note that these properties are not true for all individual objects. Of the whole sample, 18 (31%) have high (>2%) continuum polarization, including 45% of the LoBALs and 22% of HiBALs. We identify a few correlations between polarization and other quasar properties, as well as some interesting non-correlations. In particular, continuum polarization does not correlate with radio spectral index, which suggests that the polarization is not due to a standard geometry and preferred viewing angle to BAL quasars. The polarization also does not correlate with the amount of intrinsic dust reddening, indicating that the polarization is not solely due to direct light attenuation either. Polarization does appear to depend on the minimum BAL outflow velocity, confirming the results of previous studies, and it may correlate with the maximum outflow velocity. We also find that continuum polarization anti-correlates with the polarization in the C IV broad emission and broad absorption. These results suggest that the polarization of BAL quasars cannot be described by one simple model, and that the scatterer location and geometry can vary significantly from object to object.

SUZAKUOBSERVATIONS OF THREE FeLoBAL QUASI-STELLAR OBJECTS: SDSS J0943+5417, J1352+4239, AND J1723+5553

We present Suzaku observations of three iron low-ionization broad absorption line quasars (FeLoBALs). We detect J1723+5553 (3\sigma) in the observed 2--10 keV band, and constrain its intrinsic nh column density to nh > 6\times10^{23} \cmsq by modeling its X-ray hardness ratio. We study the broadband spectral index, aox, between the X-ray and UV bands by combining the X-ray measurements and the UV flux extrapolated from 2MASS magnitudes, assuming a range of intrinsic column densities, and then comparing the aox values for the three FeLoBALs with those from a large sample of normal quasars. We find that the FeLoBALs are consistent with the spectral energy distribution (SED) of normal quasars if the intrinsic nh column densities are nh > 7\times10^{23} \cmsq for J0943+5417, nh > 2\times10^{24} \cmsq for J1352+4293, and 6\times10^{23} < \nh < 3\times10^{24} \cmsq for J1723+5553. At these large intrinsic column densities, the optical depth from Thomson scattering can reach \sim6, which will significantly modulate the UV flux. Our results suggest that the X-ray absorbing material is located at a different place from the UV absorbing wind, likely between the X-ray and UV emitting regions. We find a significant kinetic feedback efficiency for FeLoBALs, indicating that the outflows are an important feedback mechanism in quasars.

XMM-Newton first X-ray detection of the low-ionization broad absorption line quasar PG 1700+518

We report the first high-energy detection of PG 1700+518, a well-known low-ionization broad absorption line quasar (quasi-stellar object, QSO). Due to previous X-ray non-detection, it was classified as soft X-ray weak QSO. We observed PG 1700+518 with XMM–Newton for about 60 ks divided in three exposures. The spectrum below 2 keV is very steep, � ∼ 2.4–3.8, while at higher energies the extremely flat emission (photon index � ∼ 0.15, when modelled with a power law) suggests the presence of strong absorption (NH,pl ∼ 2 × 10 23 cm −2 , � fixed to 1.8) or a reflection-dominated continuum. The broad-band flux is consistent with previous nondetection. Simultaneous European Photon Imaging Camera (EPIC) and Optical Monitor (OM) data confirm its X-ray weakness (observed αox ∼− 2.2). The level of obscuration derived from the X-ray spectra of PG 1700+518 cannot explain its soft X-ray nuclear weakness unless a column density of NH 2 × 10 24 cm −2 is present.

Chandra X-ray observations of two unusual BAL quasars

We report sensitive Chandra X-ray non-detections of two unusual, luminous Iron Low-Ionization Broad Absorption Line Quasars (FeLoBALs). The observations do detect a non-BAL, wide-binary companion quasar to one of the FeLoBAL quasars. We combine X-ray-derived column density lower limits (assuming solar metallicity) with column densities measured from ultraviolet spectra and CLOUDY photoionization simulations to explore whether constant-density slabs at broad-line region densities can match the physical parameters of these two BAL outflows, and find that they cannot. In the “overlapping-trough” object SDSS J0300+0048, we measure the column density of the X-ray absorbing gas to be N H ⩾ 1.8 × 10 24 cm −2. From the presence of Fe ii UV78 absorption but lack of Fe ii UV195/UV196 absorption, we infer the density in that part of the absorbing region to be n e ≃ 10 6 cm −3. We do find that a slab of gas at that density might be able to explain this object’s absorption. In the Fe iii-dominant object SDSS J2215–0045, the X-ray absorbing column density of N H ⩾ 3.4 × 10 24 cm −2 is consistent with the Fe iii-derived N H ⩾ 2 × 10 22 cm −2 provided the ionization parameter is log U > 1.0 for both the n e = 10 11 cm −3 and n e = 10 12 cm −3 scenarios considered (such densities are required to produce Fe iii absorption without Fe iiabsorption). However, the velocity width of the absorption rules out its being concentrated in a single slab at these densities. Instead, this object’s spectrum can be explained by a low density, high ionization and high temperature disk wind that encounters and ablates higher density, lower ionization Fe iii-emitting clumps.

SPECTROPOLARIMETRY OF RADIO-SELECTED BROAD ABSORPTION LINE QUASARS

We report spectropolarimetry of 30 radio-selected broad absorption line (BAL) quasars with the Keck Observatory, 25 from the sample of Becker et al. (2000). Both high and low-ionization BAL quasars are represented, with redshifts ranging from 0.5 to 2.5. The spectropolarimetric properties of radio-selected BAL quasars are very similar to those of radio-quiet BAL quasars: a sizeable fraction (20%) show large continuum polarization (2-10%) usually rising toward short wavelengths, emission lines are typically less polarized than the continuum, and absorption line troughs often show large polarization jumps. There are no significant correlations between polarization properties and radio properties, including those indicative of system orientation, suggesting that BAL quasars are not simply normal quasars seen from an edge-on perspective.

THE FIRST-2MASS RED QUASAR SURVEY. II. AN ANOMALOUSLY HIGH FRACTION OF LoBALs IN SEARCHES FOR DUST-REDDENED QUASARS

We present results on a survey to find extremely dust-reddened Type-1 Quasars. Combining the FIRST radio survey, the 2MASS Infrared Survey and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, we have selected a candidate list of 122 potential red quasars. With more than 80% spectroscopically identified objects, well over 50% are classified as dust-reddened Type 1 quasars, whose reddenings (E(B-V)) range from approximately 0.1 to 1.5 magnitudes. They lie well off the color selection windows usually used to detect quasars and many fall within the stellar locus, which would have made it impossible to find these objects with traditional color selection techniques. The reddenings found are much more consistent with obscuration happening in the host galaxy rather than stemming from the dust torus. We find an unusually high fraction of Broad Absorption Line (BAL) quasars at high redshift, all but one of them belonging to the Low Ionization BAL (LoBAL) class and many also showing absorption the metastable FeII line (FeLoBAL). The discovery of further examples of dust-reddened LoBAL quasars provides more support for the hypothesis that BAL quasars (at least LoBAL quasars) represent an early stage in the lifetime of the quasar. The fact that we see such a high fraction of BALs could indicate that the quasar is in a young phase in which quasar feedback from the BAL winds is suppressing star formation in the host galaxy.

The compact structure of radio-loud broad absorption line quasars

We present the results of EVN+MERLIN very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) polarization observations of eight broad absorption line (BAL) quasars at 1.6 GHz, including four low-ionization BAL quasars (LoBALs) and four high-ionization BAL quasars (HiBALs) with either steep or flat spectra on Very Large Array (VLA) scales. Only one steep-spectrum source, J1122+3124, shows two-sided structure on the scale of 2 kpc. The other four steep-spectrum sources and three flat-spectrum sources display either an unresolved image or a core–jet structure on scales of less than 300 pc. In all cases, the marginally resolved core is the dominant radio component. Linear polarization in the cores has been detected in the range of a few to 10 per cent. Polarization, together with high brightness temperatures (from 2 × 10 9 to 5 × 10 10 K), suggests a synchrotron origin for the radio emission. There is no apparent difference in the radio morphologies or polarization between low-ionization and high-ionization BAL quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) or between flat- and steep-spectrum sources. We discuss the orientation of BAL QSOs with both flat and steep spectra, and consider a possible evolutionary scenario for BAL QSOs. In this scenario, BAL QSOs are probably a young population of radio sources that are compact steep spectrum or GHz peaked radio source analogues at the low end of radio power.

Discovery of Probable Relativistic Fe Emission and Absorption in the Cloverleaf Quasar H 1413+117

We present results from Chandra and XMM-Newton observations of the low-ionization broad absorption line (LoBAL) quasar H 1413+117. Our spatial and spectral analysis of a recent deep Chandra observation confirms a microlensing event in a previous Chandra observation performed about 5 years earlier. We present constraints on the structure of the accretion flow in H 1413+117 based on the time-scale of this microlensing event. Our analysis of the combined spectrum of all the images indicates the presence of two emission peaks at rest-frame energies of 5.35 keV and 6.32 keV detected at the > 98% and > 99% confidence levels, respectively. The double peaked Fe emission line is fit well with an accretion-disk line model, however, the best-fitting model parameters are neither well constrained nor unique. Additional observations are required to constrain the model parameters better and to confirm the relativistic interpretation of the double peaked Fe Kalpha line. Another possible interpretation of the Fe emission is fluorescent Fe emission from the back-side of the wind. The spectra of images C and D show significant high-energy broad absorption features that extend up to rest-frame energies of 9 keV and 15 keV respectively. We propose that a likely cause of these differences is significant variability of the outflow on time-scales that are shorter than the time-delays between the images. The Chandra observation of H 1413+117 has made possible for the first time the detection of the inner regions of the accretion disk and/or wind and the high ionization component of the outflowing wind of a LoBAL quasar.

An ExploratoryChandraSurvey of a Well‐defined Sample of 35 Large Bright Quasar Survey Broad Absorption Line Quasars

We present 4–7 ks Chandra observations of 35 broad absorption line (BAL) quasars from the Large Bright Quasar Survey, the largest sample of sensitive, 0.5–8.0 keV X-ray observations of this class of quasars to date. The limitedrangesinbothredshift(z ¼ 1:42 2:90)andultravioletluminosity(afactorof � 12)ofthesamplealsomake itrelativelyuniform.Of 35 targets,27 aredetected fora detectionfractionof 77%, and we confirmprevious studies that find BAL quasars to be generally X-ray-weak. Five of the eight nondetections are known low-ionization BAL quasars, confirming reports of extreme X-ray weakness in this subset (� 10% of optically selected BAL quasars). ThoseBALquasarswiththehardestX-rayspectraarealsotheX-rayweakest,consistentwiththeinterpretationthat intrinsic absorption is the primary cause of X-ray weakness in this class of quasars as a whole. Furthermore, the observed trend is not consistent with simple neutral absorption, supporting findings from spectroscopic observations of individual targets that BAL quasars typically exhibit complex X-ray absorption (e.g., partially covering orionizedabsorbers).AssumingnormalquasarX-raycontinuaandusingthehard-band(observed-frame2–8keV) X-ray flux to ‘‘correct’’ for the effects of intrinsic absorption at softer energies increases the relative X-ray to optical flux ratios to much closer to the range for normal quasars, further indicating that typically neither are highionizationBALquasarsintrinsicallyX-ray-weak,nordotheysufferfromCompton-thickabsorption.Ingeneral,we find no evidence for correlations between X-ray weakness and ultraviolet absorption-line properties, with the exception of a likely correlation between the maximum outflow velocity of C iv absorption and the magnitude of X-ray weakness. We discuss the implications of our results for disk-wind models of BAL outflows in quasars. Subject headingg galaxies: active — quasars: absorption lines — quasars: general — X-rays: galaxies

ChandraObservations of the Cloverleaf Quasar H1413+117: A Unique Laboratory for Microlensing Studies of a LoBAL Quasar

We present new results uncovered by a reanalysis of a Chandra observation of the gravitationally lensed, low-ionization broad absorption line (LoBAL) quasar H1413+117. Previous analyses of the same Chandra observation led to the detection of a strong, redshifted Fe Kα line from the combined spectrum of all images. We show that the redshifted Fe Kα line is only significant in the brighter image A. The X-ray flux fraction of image A is larger by a factor of 1.55 ± 0.17 than the optical R-band flux fraction, indicating that image A is significantly enhanced in the X-ray band. We also find that the Fe Kα line and the continuum are enhanced by different factors. A microlensing event could explain both the energy-dependent magnification and the significant detection of Fe Kα line emission in the spectrum of image A only. In the context of this interpretation, we provide constraints on the spatial extent of the inferred scattered continuum and reprocessed Fe Kα line emission regions in a LoBAL quasar.