Quasar Winds Research Articles

The indirect influence of quasars on reionization

ABSTRACT The exact role of quasars during the Epoch of Reionization remains uncertain. With consensus leaning towards quasars producing a negligible amount of ionizing photons, we pose an alternate question: Can quasars indirectly contribute to reionization by allowing ionizing photons from stars to escape more easily? Using the semi-analytic galaxy evolution model to evolve a galaxy population through cosmic time, we construct an idealized scenario in which the escape fraction of stellar ionizing photons (fesc) is boosted following quasar wind events, potentially for several dynamical times. We find that under this scenario, the mean value of fesc as a function of galaxy stellar mass peaks for intermediate mass galaxies. This mass dependence will have consequences for the 21-cm power spectrum, enhancing power at small scales and suppressing it at large scales. This hints that whilst quasars may not directly contribute to the ionizing photon budget, they could influence reionization indirectly by altering the topology of ionized regions.

THE WIDE-ANGLE OUTFLOW OF THE LENSED z = 1.51 AGN HS 0810+2554

ABSTRACT We present results from X-ray observations of the gravitationally lensed z = 1.51 active galactic nucleus (AGN) HS 0810+2554 performed with the Chandra X-ray Observatory and XMM-Newton. Blueshifted absorption lines are detected in both observations at rest-frame energies ranging between ∼1 and 12 keV at ≳99% confidence. The inferred velocities of the outflowing components range between ∼0.1c and ∼0.4c. A strong emission line at ∼6.8 keV that is accompanied by a significant absorption line at ∼7.8 keV is also detected in the Chandra observation. The presence of these lines is a characteristic feature of a P-Cygni profile supporting the presence of an expanding, outflowing, highly ionized iron absorber in this quasar. Modeling of the P-Cygni profile constrains the covering factor of the wind to be ≳0.6, assuming disk shielding. A disk-reflection component is detected in the XMM-Newton observation accompanied by blueshifted absorption lines. The XMM-Newton observation constrains the inclination angle to be <45° at 90% confidence, assuming that the hard excess is due to blurred reflection from the accretion disk. The detection of an ultrafast and wide-angle wind in an AGN with intrinsic narrow absorption lines (NALs) would suggest that quasar winds may couple efficiently with the intergalactic medium and provide significant feedback if ubiquitous in all NAL and broad absorption line (BAL) quasars. We estimate the mass-outflow rate of the absorbers to lie in the range of 1.5–3.4 M ⊙ yr−1 for the two observations. We find that the fraction of kinetic to electromagnetic luminosity released by HS 0810+2554 is large (ϵ k = 9 ), which suggests that magnetic driving is likely a significant contributor to the acceleration of this outflow.

Constraining the shielded wind scenario in PG 2112+059

AbstractThe physical scenario describing the origin of quasar winds remains largely unsettled due to our failure to account for X‐ray weak BAL quasars. We approach this problem by studying the relation between the inner part of the outflow which is likely to be shielding the X‐ray emission and the UV winds characterized by broad absorption lines (BALs). In particular, we aim to probe the wind‐shield connection in the highly X‐ray variable BAL quasar PG 2112+059, which has exhibited periods of X‐ray weakness and X‐ray normality in the past. A set of two 20 ks Chandra observations and two contemporaneous HST observations, separated by at least eight months, combined with a nearly simultaneous archival Chandra ‐HST observation from 2002, afford us a unique opportunity to study the connection between the shield (which is thought to be responsible for the X‐ray absorption) and the ionization state of the wind (observed as UV BAL features; e.g., Civ and Ovi lines) over various timescales. In this review, which was based on a presentation in the XMM‐Newton 2015 Science Workshop, we provide background relevant to our study and briefly analyze a recent Chandra observation of our new set of multiwavelength observations of PG 2112+059. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

PEERING THROUGH THE DUST: NuSTAR OBSERVATIONS OF TWO FIRST-2MASS RED QUASARS

ABSTRACT Some reddened quasars appear to be transitional objects in the paradigm of merger-induced black hole growth/galaxy evolution, where a heavily obscured nucleus starts to be unveiled by powerful quasar winds evacuating the surrounding cocoon of dust and gas. Hard X-ray observations are able to peer through this gas and dust, revealing the properties of circumnuclear obscuration. Here, we present NuSTAR and XMM-Newton/Chandra observations of FIRST-2MASS-selected red quasars F2M 0830+3759 and F2M 1227+3214. We find that though F2M 0830+3759 is moderately obscured (N H,Z = (2.1 ± 0.2) × 1022 cm−2) and F2M 1227+3214 is mildly absorbed ( N H , Z = 3.4 − 0.7 + 0.8 × 10 21 ?> cm−2) along the line of sight, heavier global obscuration may be present in both sources, with N H , S = 3.7 − 2.6 + 4.1 × 10 23 ?> cm−2 and <5.5 × 1023 cm−2 for F2M 0830+3759 and F2M 1227+3214, respectively. F2M 0830+3759 also has an excess of soft X-ray emission below 1 keV, which is well accommodated by a model where 7% of the intrinsic X-ray emission from the active galactic nucleus (AGN) is scattered into the line of sight. While F2M 1227+3214 has a dust-to-gas ratio (E(B – V)/N H) consistent with the Galactic value, the value of E(B – V)/N H for F2M 0830+3759 is lower than the Galactic standard, consistent with the paradigm that the dust resides on galactic scales while the X-ray reprocessing gas originates within the dust sublimation zone of the broad-line region. The X-ray and 6.1 μm luminosities of these red quasars are consistent with the empirical relations derived for high-luminosity, unobscured quasars, extending the parameter space of obscured AGNs previously observed by NuSTAR to higher luminosities.

Towards a comprehensive picture of powerful quasars, their host galaxies and quasar winds atz∼ 0.5

Luminous type-2 quasars in which the glow from the central black hole is obscured by dust are ideal targets for studying their host galaxies and the quasars' effect on galaxy evolution. Such feedback appears ubiquitous in luminous obscured quasars where high velocity ionized nebulae have been found. We present rest-frame yellow-band (~5000 Angstroms) observations using the Hubble Space Telescope for a sample of 20 luminous quasar host galaxies at 0.2 < z < 0.6 selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. For the first time, we combine host galaxy observations with geometric measurements of quasar illumination using blue-band HST observations and [OIII] integral field unit observations probing the quasar winds. The HST images reveal bright merger signatures in about half the galaxies; a significantly higher fraction than in comparison inactive ellipticals. We show that the host galaxies are primarily bulge-dominated, with masses close to M*, but belong to < 30% of elliptical galaxies that are highly star-forming at z ~ 0.5. Ionized gas signatures are uncorrelated with faint stellar disks (if present), confirming that the ionized gas is not concentrated in a disk. Scattering cones and [OIII] ionized gas velocity field are aligned with the forward scattering cones being co-spatial with the blue-shifted side of the velocity field, suggesting the high velocity gas is indeed photo-ionized by the quasar. Based on the host galaxies' high star-formation rates and bright merger signatures, we suggest that this low-redshift outbreak of luminous quasar activity is triggered by recent minor mergers. Combining these novel observations, we present new quasar unification tests, which are in agreement with expectations of the orientation-based unification model for quasars.

Wide-Angle Quasar Feedback

AbstractWe present results from the detection of relativistic winds launched near the innermost stable circular orbits of supermassive black holes. A recent detection of a powerful wind in the X-ray-bright narrow absorption line (NAL) z=1.51 quasar HS 0810+2554 strengthens the case that quasars play a significant role in feedback. In both deep Chandra and XMM-Newton observations of HS 0810 we detected blueshifted absorption lines implying outflowing velocities ranging from 0.1c and 0.4c. The presence of both an emission line at 6.8 keV and an absorption line at 7.8 keV in the spectral line profile of HS 0810 is a characteristic feature of a P-Cygni profile supporting the presence of an expanding outflowing highly ionized Fe absorber. A hard excess component is detected in the XMM-Newton observation of HS 0810 possibly originating from reflection off the disk. Modelling of the XMM-Newton spectrum constrains the inclination angle to be &lt; 35° (68% confidence). The presence of relativistic winds in both low inclination angle NAL quasars as well as in high inclination angle BAL quasars implies that the solid angle of quasar winds may be quite large. The larger solid angle of quasar winds would also indicate that their contribution to the regulation of the host galaxy may be more important than previously thought.

STORM IN A “TEACUP”: A RADIO-QUIET QUASAR WITH ≈10 kpc RADIO-EMITTING BUBBLES AND EXTREME GAS KINEMATICS

We present multi-frequency (1-8 GHz) VLA data, combined with VIMOS IFU data and HST imaging, of a z=0.085 radio-quiet type 2 quasar (with L(1.4GHz)~5e23 W/Hz and L(AGN)~2e45 erg/s). Due to the morphology of its emission-line region, the target (J1430+1339) has been referred to as the Teacup AGN in the literature. We identify "bubbles" of radio emission that are extended ~10-12 kpc to both the east and west of the nucleus. The edge of the brighter eastern bubble is co-spatial with an arc of luminous ionized gas. We also show that the Teacup AGN hosts a compact radio structure, located ~0.8 kpc from the core position, at the base of the eastern bubble. This radio structure is co-spatial with an ionized outflow with an observed velocity of v=-740 km/s. This is likely to correspond to a jet, or possibly a quasar wind, interacting with the interstellar medium at this position. The large-scale radio bubbles appear to be inflated by the central AGN, which indicates that the AGN can also interact with the gas on >~10 kpc scales. Our study highlights that even when a quasar is formally "radio-quiet" the radio emission can be extremely effective for observing the effects of AGN feedback.

BROAD ABSORPTION LINE VARIABILITY ON MULTI-YEAR TIMESCALES IN A LARGE QUASAR SAMPLE

We present a detailed investigation of the variability of 428 C IV and 235 Si IV Broad Absorption Line (BAL) troughs identified in multi-epoch observations of 291 quasars by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey-I/II/III. These observations primarily sample rest-frame timescales of 1-3 yr over which significant rearrangement of the BAL wind is expected. We derive a number of observational results on, e.g., the frequency of BAL variability, the velocity range over which BAL variability occurs, the primary observed form of BAL-trough variability, the dependence of BAL variability upon timescale, the frequency of BAL strengthening vs. weakening, correlations between BAL variability and BAL-trough profiles, relations between C IV and Si IV BAL variability, coordinated multi-trough variability, and BAL variations as a function of quasar properties. We assess implications of these observational results for quasar winds. Our results support models where most BAL absorption is formed within an order-of-magnitude of the wind-launching radius, although a significant minority of BAL troughs may arise on larger scales. We estimate an average lifetime for a BAL trough along our line-of-sight of a few thousand years. BAL disappearance and emergence events appear to be extremes of general BAL variability, rather than being qualitatively distinct phenomena. We derive the parameters of a random-walk model for BAL EW variability, finding that this model can acceptably describe some key aspects of EW variability. The coordinated trough variability of BAL quasars with multiple troughs suggests that changes in "shielding gas" may play a significant role in driving general BAL variability.

Observations of feedback from radio-quiet quasars – II. Kinematics of ionized gas nebulae

The prevalence and energetics of quasar feedback is a major unresolved problem in galaxy formation theory. In this paper, we present Gemini Integral Field Unit observations of ionized gas around eleven luminous, obscured, radio-quiet quasars at z~0.5 out to ~15 kpc from the quasar; specifically, we measure the kinematics and morphology of [O III]5007 emission. The round morphologies of the nebulae and the large line-of-sight velocity widths (with velocities containing 80% of the emission as high as 1000 km/s combined with relatively small velocity difference across them (from 90 to 520 km/s) point toward wide-angle quasi-spherical outflows. We use the observed velocity widths to estimate a median outflow velocity of 760 km/s, similar to or above the escape velocities from the host galaxies. The line-of-sight velocity dispersion declines slightly toward outer parts of the nebulae (by 3% per kpc on average). The majority of nebulae show blueshifted excesses in their line profiles across most of their extents, signifying gas outflows. For the median outflow velocity, we find a kinetic energy flow between 4x10^{44} and 3x10^{45} erg/s and mass outflow rate between 2000 and 20000 Msun/yr. These values are large enough for the observed quasar winds to have a significant impact on their host galaxies. The median rate of converting bolometric luminosity to kinetic energy of ionized gas clouds is ~2%. We report four new candidates for "super-bubbles" -- outflows that may have broken out of the denser regions of the host galaxy.

Radio and X-ray emission from disc winds in radio-quiet quasars

It has been proposed that the radio spectra of radio-quiet quasars is produced by free-free emission in the optically thin part of an accretion disc wind. An important observational constraint on this model is the observed X-ray luminosity. We investigate this constraint using a sample of PG radio-quiet quasars for which XMM-Newton EPIC spectra are available. Comparing the predicted and measured luminosities for 0.5, 2 and 5 keV, we conclude that all of the studied PG quasars require a large hydrogen column density absorber, requiring these quasars to be close to or Compton-thick. Such a large column density can be directly excluded for PG 0050+124, for which a high-resolution RGS spectrum exists. Further constraint on the column density for a further 19 out of the 21 studied PG quasars comes from the EPIC spectrum characteristics such as hard X-ray power-law photon index and the equivalent width of the Fe Kalpha line; and the small equivalent width of the C IV absorber present in UV spectra. For 2 sources: PG 1001+054 and PG 1411+442 we cannot exclude that they are indeed Compton-thick, and the radio and X-ray luminosity are due to a wind originating close to the super-massive black hole. We conclude that for 20 out of 22 PG quasars studied free-free emission from a wind emanating from the accretion disc cannot mutually explain the observed radio and X-ray luminosity.

CONFIRMATION OF AND VARIABLE ENERGY INJECTION BY A NEAR-RELATIVISTIC OUTFLOW IN APM 08279+5255

We present results from multi-epoch spectral analysis of XMM-Newton and Chandra observations of the broad absorption line (BAL) quasar APM 08279+5255. Our analysis shows significant X-ray BALs in all epochs with rest-frame energies lying in the range of ~ 6.7-18 keV. The X-ray BALs and 0.2-10 keV continuum show significant variability on timescales as short as 3.3 days (proper time) implying a source size-scale of ~ 10 r_g, where r_g is the gravitational radius. We find a large gradient in the outflow velocity of the X-ray absorbers with projected outflow velocities of up to 0.76 c. The maximum outflow velocity constrains the angle between the wind velocity and our line of sight to be less than ~ 22 degrees. We identify the following components of the outflow: (a) Highly ionized X-ray absorbing material (2.9 < logxi < 3.9) and a column density of log N_H ~ 23 outflowing at velocities of up to 0.76 c. (b) Low-ionization X-ray absorbing gas with log N_H ~ 22.8. We find that flatter spectra appear to result in lower outflow velocities. Based on our spectral analysis of observations of APM 08279+5255 over a period of 1.2 years (proper time) we estimate the mass-outflow rate and efficiency of the outflow to have varied between 16(-8,+12) M_solar yr^-1 and 64(-40,+66) M_solar yr^-1 and 0.18(-0.11,+0.15) to 1.7(-1.2+1.9), respectively. Assuming that the outflow properties of APM 08279+5255 are a common property of most quasars at similar redshifts, our results then imply that quasar winds are massive and energetic enough to influence significantly the formation of the host galaxy, provide significant metal enrichment to the interstellar medium and intergalactic medium, and are a viable mechanism for feedback at redshifts near the peak in the number density of galaxy mergers.

The effect of stellar feedback and quasar winds on the active galactic nucleus population

In order to constrain the physical processes that regulate and downsize the active galactic nucleus (AGN) population, the predictions of the model for the rise of galaxies and active nuclei (MORGANA) are compared to luminosity functions (LFs) of AGNs in the optical, soft and hard X-ray bands, to the local black hole (BH)‐bulge mass relation and to the observed X-ray number counts and background. We also give predictions on the accretion rate of AGNs in units of the Eddington rate and on the BH‐bulge relation expected at high redshift. We find that it is possible to reproduce the downsizing of AGNs within the hierarchical Lambda cold dark matter cosmogony and that the most likely cause of this downsizing is the stellar kinetic feedback that arises in star-forming bulges as a consequence of the high level of turbulence and leads to a massive removal of cold gas in small elliptical galaxies. At the same time, to obtain good fits to the number of bright quasars we require that quasar-triggered galactic winds self-limit the accretion on to BHs; however, the very high degree of complexity of the physics of these winds, coupled with our poor understanding of it, hampers more robust conclusions. In all cases, the predicted BH‐bulge relation steepens considerably with respect to the observed one at bulge masses <10 11 M � ; this problem is related to a known excess in the predicted number of small bulges, common to most similar models, so that the reproduction of the correct number of faint AGNs is done at the cost of underestimating their BH masses. This highlights an insufficient downsizing of elliptical galaxies, and hints at another feedback mechanism able to act on the compact discs that form and soon merge at high redshift. The results of this paper reinforce the need for direct investigations of the feedback mechanisms in active galaxies that will be possible with the next generation of astronomical telescopes from submm to

Dramatic X‐Ray Spectral Variability of the Broad Absorption Line Quasar PG 2112+059

With a 1999 ASCA observation, PG 2112+059 became notable as the first broad absorption line (BAL) quasar found to exhibit a typical radio-quiet quasar X-ray continuum underlying a large amount of intrinsic absorption. We present a recent Chandra ACIS-S3 observation of PG 2112+059 that demonstrates remarkable spectral and luminosity variability since that time. In addition to a decrease in the continuum normalization by a factor of ~3.5, the absorption column density has apparently increased substantially, and a strong feature in the Fe Kα region has appeared. Concurrent Hubble Space Telescope (HST) STIS data compared with archival HST data from earlier epochs show evidence for variability of the continuum (up to a factor of ~1.7 in the ultraviolet), and in some absorption features of the C IV λ1549 BAL since 1992; however, the O VI BAL structure is consistent with a 1995 observation. We also present evidence for Lyβ-O VI λ1037.62 and Lyα-N V λ1242.80 line-locked absorption systems, supporting the assumption that ultraviolet line pressure is driving the BAL outflow. Whereas ultraviolet BALs typically exhibit only modest equivalent width variability over timescales of years, the dramatic X-ray variability of PG 2112+059 suggests that X-ray spectral variability studies of BAL quasars have great potential for probing the physics of quasar winds.

Feedback of kinetic energy into the IGM by supermassive black holes

Our recent Chandra and XMM-Newton observations of two high redshift broad absorption line (BAL) quasars have revealed the presence of massive outflows of highly ionized, high-metallicity material driven from near the black hole (a few gravitational radii) with velocities of up to 0.4c. The inferred mass outflow rates of 1–10 yr−1 and the measured outflow velocities, that significantly exceed the escape velocities of galaxies and clusters of galaxies, imply that quasar winds provide an important feedback mechanism for kinetic energy injection into the IGM. These quasar outflows may also play an important role in the coevolution of black holes and their host galaxies. We present new constraints on the location of the X-ray BAL material based on our analysis of the variability of the ionization properties of the X-ray absorbers. The location and ionization properties of the X-ray BAL material are crucial in inferring the mass outflow rate and rate of kinetic energy injected into the IGM.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

Quasar Winds as Dust Factories at High Redshift

Winds from AGN and quasars will form large amounts of dust, as the cool gas in these winds passes through the (pressure, temperature) region where dust is formed in AGB stars. Conditions in the gas are benign to dust at these radii. As a result quasar winds may be a major source of dust at high redshifts, obviating a difficulty with current observations, and requiring far less dust to exist at early epochs.

The Enrichment of Galaxies by Quasar Outflows

Our recent Chandra and XMM-Newton observations of the gravitationally lensed broad absorption line quasars (BALQSOs) APM 08279+5255 and PG 1115+080 have provided new insights into the structure of quasar outflows and the enrichment of their host galaxies by quasar winds (Chartas et al. 2002, 2003). Our spectral analysis of these observations suggests the presence of X-ray BAL material accelerated to relativistic velocities of up to ~ 0.4c, considerably larger than the observed velocities of the UV BAL absorbers in these objects. We present constraints on the quasar mass-outflow rates based on the observed relativistic outflow velocities and locations of the X-ray BAL material.

Probing broad absorption line quasar outflows: X-ray insights

Energetic outflows appear to occur in conjunction with active mass accretion onto supermassive black holes. These outflows are most readily observed in the ∼10% of quasars with broad absorption lines, where the observer’s line of sight passes through the wind. Until fairly recently, the paucity of X-ray data from these objects was notable, but now sensitive hard-band missions such as Chandra and XMM-Newton are routinely detecting broad absorption line quasars. The X-ray regime offers qualitatively new information for the understanding of these objects, and these new results must be taken into account in theoretical modeling of quasar winds.

Detection of CO (4–3), CO (9–8), and Dust Emission in the Broad Absorption Line Quasar APM 08279+5255 at a Redshift of 3.9

With the IRAM interferometer, we detected the lines of CO (4-3) and CO (9-8) from the recently discovered broad absorption line quasar APM 08279+5255. The molecular lines are at a redshift of 3.911, which we take to be the true cosmological redshift of the quasar's host galaxy. This means that the quasar emission lines at z=3.87 are blueshifted by a kinematic component of -2500 km s−1 and, along with the broad absorption lines, are probably emitted in the quasar's wind or jet, moving toward us. The CO line ratios suggest that the molecular gas is at a temperature of ~200 K, at a density of ~4000 cm−3. We also detected the dust emission at 94 and 214 GHz (with emitted wavelengths of 650 and 290 μm). The spectral index of the millimeter/submillimeter continuum is 3.2, indicating that the dust emission is optically thin in this part of the spectrum. The extremely high CO and dust luminosities suggest magnification by gravitational lensing. Using the optical extent and our limit on the size of the CO region, we estimate a magnification of 7-30 for the CO lines and the far-IR continuum and 14-60 for the optical/UV. In this interpretation, the molecular gas and dust are in a nuclear disk of radius 90-270 pc around the quasar. The quasar is 25-100 times stronger than, but otherwise resembles, the nucleus of Mrk 231.

Compton scattering of the microwave background by quasar-blown bubbles

At least 10% of quasars drive rapid outflows from the central regions of their host galaxies. The mass and energy flow rates in these winds are difficult to measure, but their kinetic luminosities probably exceed 10^45^ ergs s^-1^. This kind of outflow easily sunders the interstellar medium of the host and blows a bubble in the intergalactic medium. After the quasar shuts off the hot bubble continues to shock intergalactic gas until its leading edge merges with the Hubble flow. The interior hot gas Compton scatters microwave background photons, potentially providing a way to detect these bubbles. Assuming that quasar kinetic luminosities scale with their blue luminosities, we integrate over the quasar luminosity function to find the total distortion (γ) of the microwave background produced by the entire population of quasar wind bubbles. This calculation of distortion is remarkably insensitive to the properties of the IGM, quasar lifetimes, and cosmological parameters. Current COBE limits on γ constrain the kinetic luminosities of quasars to be less than several times their bolometric radiative luminosities. Within this constraint, quasars can still expel enough kinetic luminosity to shock the entire IGM by z = 0, but cannot heat and ionize the IGM by z = 4 unless {OMEGA}_IGM_ &lt; 10^-2^.

The interaction of interstellar clouds with a 'quasar wind' and its relation to the narrow emission line regions of Seyfert galaxies

The interaction of interstellar clouds with a 'quasar wind' and its relation to the narrow emission line regions of Seyfert galaxies