Radio-loud QSO Research Articles

Massive Molecular Outflow and 100 kpc Extended Cold Halo Gas in the Enormous Lyα Nebula of QSO 1228+3128

Abstract The link between the circumgalactic medium (CGM) and the stellar growth of massive galaxies at high-z depends on the properties of the widespread cold molecular gas. As part of the SUPERCOLD-CGM survey (Survey of Protocluster ELANe Revealing CO/[C i] in the Lyα-Detected CGM), we present the radio-loud QSO Q1228+3128 at z = 2.2218, which is embedded in an enormous Lyα nebula. ALMA+ACA observations of CO(4–3) reveal both a massive molecular outflow, and a more extended molecular gas reservoir across ∼100 kpc in the CGM, each containing a mass of M H2 ∼ 4–5 × 1010 M ⊙. The outflow and molecular CGM are aligned spatially, along the direction of an inner radio jet. After reanalysis of Lyα data of Q1228+3128 from the Keck Cosmic Web Imager, we found that the velocity of the extended CO agrees with the redshift derived from the Lyα nebula and the bulk velocity of the massive outflow. We propose a scenario where the radio source in Q1228+3128 is driving the molecular outflow and perhaps also enriching or cooling the CGM. In addition, we found that the extended CO emission is nearly perpendicular to the extended Lyα nebula spatially, indicating that the two gas phases are not well mixed, and possibly even represent different phenomena (e.g., outflow versus infall). Our results provide crucial evidence in support of predicted baryonic recycling processes that drive the early evolution of massive galaxies.

The puzzling case of the radio-loud QSO 3C 186: a gravitational wave recoiling black hole in a young radio source?

Context. Radio-loud AGNs with powerful relativistic jets are thought to be associated with rapidly spinning black holes (BHs). BH spin-up may result from a number of processes, including accretion of matter onto the BH itself, and catastrophic events such as BH-BH mergers. Aims. We study the intriguing properties of the powerful (L_bol ~ 10^47 erg s^-1) radio-loud quasar 3C 186. This object shows peculiar features both in the images and in the spectra. Methods. We utilize near-IR Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images to study the properties of the host galaxy, and HST UV and Sloan Digital Sky Survey optical spectra to study the kinematics of the source. Chandra X-ray data are also used to better constrain the physical interpretation. Results. HST imaging shows that the active nucleus is offset by 1.3 +- 0.1 arcsec (i.e. ~11 kpc) with respect to the center of the host galaxy. Spectroscopic data show that the broad emission lines are offset by -2140 +-390 km/s with respect to the narrow lines. Velocity shifts are often seen in QSO spectra, in particular in high-ionization broad emission lines. The host galaxy of the quasar displays a distorted morphology with possible tidal features that are typical of the late stages of a galaxy merger. Conclusions. A number of scenarios can be envisaged to account for the observed features. While the presence of a peculiar outflow cannot be completely ruled out, all of the observed features are consistent with those expected if the QSO is associated with a gravitational wave (GW) recoiling BH. Future detailed studies of this object will allow us to confirm this type of scenario and will enable a better understanding of both the physics of BH-BH mergers and the phenomena associated with the emission of GW from astrophysical sources.

Spectroscopy of 7 radio-loud QSOs at 2 < z < 6: giant Lyman α emission nebulae accreting on to host galaxies

We performed long-slit optical spectroscopy (GTC-OSIRIS) of 6 radio-loud QSOs at redshifts $2<z<3$, known to have giant ($\sim 50$-100 kpc) Lyman-$\alpha$ emitting nebulae, and detect extended Lyman-$\alpha$ emission for 4, with surface brightness $\sim10^{-16}$ ergs $\rm cm^{-2}s^{-1}arcsec^{-2}$ and line width FWHM 400-1100 (mean 863) km $\rm s^{-1}$. We also observed the $z\simeq 5.9$ radio-loud QSO, SDSS J2228+0110, and find evidence of a $\geq 10$ kpc extended Lyman-$\alpha$ emission nebula, a new discovery for this high-redshift object. Spatially-resolved kinematics of the 5 nebulae are examined by fitting the Lyman-$\alpha$ wavelength at a series of positions along the slit. We found the line-of-sight velocity $\Delta(v)$ profiles to be relatively flat. However, 3 of the nebulae appear systematically redshifted by 250-460 km $\rm s^{-1}$ relative to the Lyman-$\alpha$ line of the QSO (with no offset for the other two), which we argue is evidence for infall. One of these (Q0805+046) had a small ($\sim 100$ km $\rm s^{-1}$) velocity shift across its diameter and a steep gradient at the centre. Differences in line-of-sight kinematics between these 5 giant nebulae and similar nebulae associated with high-redshift radio galaxies (which can show steep velocity gradients) may be due to an orientation effect, which brings infall/outflow rather than rotation into greater prominence for the sources observed `on-axis' as QSOs.

A compact, metal-rich, kpc-scale outflow in FBQS J0209−0438: detailed diagnostics from HST/COS extreme UV observations

We present HST/COS observations of highly ionized absorption lines associated with a radio-loud QSO at $z=1.1319$. The absorption system has multiple velocity components, tracing gas that is largely outflowing from the QSO at velocities of a few 100 km s$^{-1}$. There is an unprecedented range in ionization, with detections of HI, NIII, NIV, NV, OIV, OIV*, OV, OVI, NeVIII, MgX, SV and ArVIII. We estimate the total hydrogen number density from the column density ratio N(OIV*)/N(OIV) to be $\log(n_{\textrm{H}}/\textrm{cm}^3)\sim 3$. Assuming photoionization equilibrium, we derive a distance to the absorbing complex of $2.3<R<6.0$ kpc from the centre of the QSO. A range in ionization parameter, covering $\sim 2$ orders of magnitude, suggest absorption path lengths in the range $10^{-4.5}<l_{\textrm{abs}}<1$ pc. In addition, the absorbing gas only partially covers the background emission from the QSO continuum, which suggests clouds with transverse sizes $l_{\textrm{trans}}<10^{-2.5}$ pc. Widely differing absorption path lengths, combined with covering fractions less than unity across all ions pose a challenge to models involving simple cloud geometries. These issues may be mitigated by the presence of non-equilibrium effects, together with the possibility of multiple gas temperatures. The dynamics and expected lifetimes of the gas clouds suggest that they do not originate from close to the AGN, but are instead formed close to their observed location. Their inferred distance, outflow velocities and gas densities are broadly consistent with scenarios involving gas entrainment or condensations in winds driven by either supernovae, or the supermassive black hole accretion disc. In the case of the latter, the present data most likely does not trace the bulk of the outflow by mass, which could instead manifest itself as an accompanying warm absorber, detectable in X-rays.

The Canada-France High-zQuasar Survey: 1.2 mm observations

We report 250 GHz (1.2 mm) observations of a sample of 20 QSOs at redshifts 5.8<z<6.5 from the the Canada-France High-z Quasar Survey (CFHQS), using the Max-Planck Millimeter Bolometer (MAMBO) array at the IRAM 30-metre telescope. A rms sensitivity <~ 0.6 mJy was achieved for 65% of the sample, and <~ 1.0 mJy for 90%. Only one QSO, CFHQS J142952+544717, was robustly detected with S_250GHz = 3.46 +/-0.52 mJy. This indicates that one of the most powerful known starbursts at z~6 is associated with this radio loud QSO. On average, the other CFHQS QSOs, which have a mean optical magnitude fainter than previously studied SDSS samples of z~6 QSOs, have a mean 1.2 mm flux density <S_250GHz> = 0.41 +/-0.14 mJy; such a 2.9-sigma average detection is hardly meaningful. It would correspond to <L_FIR> ~ 0.94+/-0.32 10^12 Lo, and an average star formation rate of a few 100's Mo/yr, depending on the IMF and a possible AGN contribution to <L_FIR>. This is consistent with previous findings of Wang et al. (2011) on the far-infrared emission of z~6 QSOs and extends them toward optically fainter sources.

Radio spectra and polarisation properties of a bright sample of radio-loud broad absorption line quasars

The origin of broad-absorption-line quasars (BAL QSOs) is still an open issue. Accounting for ~20% of the QSO population, these objects present broad absorption lines in their optical spectra generated from outflows with velocities up to 0.2c. In this work we present the results of a multi-frequency study of a well-defined radio-loud BAL QSO sample, and a comparison sample of radio-loud non-BAL QSOs, both selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). We aim to test which of the currently-popular models for the BAL phenomenon - `orientation' or 'evolutionary' - best accounts for the radio properties of BAL quasars. Observations from 1.4 to 43 GHz have been obtained with the VLA and Effelsberg telescopes, and data from 74 to 408 MHz have been compiled from the literature. The fractions of candidate GHz-peaked sources are similar in the two samples (36\pm12% vs 23\pm8%), suggesting that BAL QSOs are not generally younger than non-BAL QSOs. BAL and non-BAL QSOs show a large range of spectral indices, consistent with a broad range of orientations. There is weak evidence (91% confidence) that the spectral indices of the BAL QSOs are steeper than those of non-BAL QSOs, mildly favouring edge-on orientations. At a higher level of significance (\geq97%), the spectra of BAL QSOs are not flatter than those of non-BAL QSOs, which suggests that a polar orientation is not preferred.

The innermost dusty structure in active galactic nuclei as probed by the Keck interferometer

We are now exploring the inner region of Type 1 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with the Keck interferometer in the near-infrared. Adding to the four targets previously studied, we report measurements of the K-band (2.2 um) visibilities for four more targets, namely AKN120, IC4329A, Mrk6, and the radio-loud QSO 3C273 at z=0.158. The observed visibilities are quite high for all the targets, which we interpret as an indication of the partial resolution of the dust sublimation region. The effective ring radii derived from the observed visibilities scale approximately with L^1/2, where L is the AGN luminosity. Comparing the radii with those from independent optical-infrared reverberation measurements, these data support our previous claim that the interferometric ring radius is either roughly equal to or slightly larger than the reverberation radius. We interpret the ratio of these two radii for a given L as an approximate probe of the radial distribution of the inner accreting material. We show tentative evidence that this inner radial structure might be closely related to the radio-loudness of the central engine. Finally, we re-observed the brightest Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC4151. Its marginally higher visibility at a shorter projected baseline, compared to our previous measurements obtained one year before, further supports the partial resolution of the inner structure. We did not detect any significant change in the implied emission size when the K-band flux was brightened by a factor of 1.5 over a time interval of one year.

HOST GALAXIES OF LUMINOUS QUASARS: STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES AND THE FUNDAMENTAL PLANE

We present stellar velocity dispersion measurements in the host galaxies of ten luminous quasars (MV < −23) using the Ca H&K lines in off-nuclear spectra. We combine these data with effective radii and magnitudes from the literature to place the host galaxies on the fundamental plane (FP) where their properties are compared with other types of galaxies. We find that the radio-loud (RL) QSO hosts have similar properties to massive elliptical galaxies, while the radio-quiet (RQ) hosts are more similar to intermediate-mass galaxies. The RL hosts lie at the upper extreme of the FP due to their large velocity dispersions (〈σ*〉 = 321 km s−1), low surface brightness (〈μe(r)〉 = 20.8 mag arcsec−2), and large effective radii (〈Re〉 = 11.4 kpc), and have 〈M*〉 = 1.5 × 1012 M☉ and 〈M/L〉 = 12.4. In contrast, properties of the RQ hosts are 〈σ*〉 = 241 km s−1, 〈M*〉 = 4.4 × 1011 M☉, and M/L ∼ 5.3. The distinction between these galaxies occurs at σ*∼ 300 km s−1, Re∼ 6 kpc, and corresponding M* ∼ 5.9 ± 3.5 × 1011 M☉. Our data support previous results that Palomar-Green QSOs are related to gas-rich galaxy mergers that form intermediate-mass galaxies, while RL QSOs reside in massive early-type galaxies, most of which also show signs of recent mergers or interactions. Previous authors have drawn these conclusions by using estimates of the black hole mass and inferring host galaxy properties from that, while here we have relied purely on directly measured host galaxy properties.

The Nature of Optical Features in the Inner Region of the 3C 48 Host Galaxy

The well-known quasar 3C48 is the most powerful compact steep-spectrum radio-loud QSO at low redshifts. It also has two unusual optical features within the radius of the radio jet (~1"): (1) an anomalous, high-velocity narrow-line component, having several times as much flux as does the narrow-line component coinciding with the broad-line redshift; and (2) a bright continuum peak (3C48A) ~1" northeast of the quasar. Both of these optical features have been conjectured to be related to the radio jet. Here we explore these suggestions. We have obtained Gemini North GMOS integral-field-unit (IFU) spectroscopy of the central region around 3C48. We use the unique features of the IFU data to remove unresolved emission at the position of the quasar. The resolved emission at the wavelength of the high-velocity component is peaked <~0.25" north of the quasar, at virtually the same position angle as the base of the radio jet. These observations appear to confirm that this high-velocity gas is connected with the radio jet. However, most of the emission comes from a region where the jet is still well collimated, rather than from the regions where the radio maps indicate strong interaction with an external medium. We also present the results of HST STIS spectroscopy of 3C48A. We show that 3C48A is dominated by stars with a luminosity-weighted age of ~1.4 X 10^8 years, substantially older than any reasonable estimate for the age of the radio source. Our IFU data indicate a similar age. Thus, 3C48A almost certainly cannot be attributed to jet-induced star formation. The host galaxy of 3C48 is clearly the result of a merger, and 3C48A seems much more likely to be the distorted nucleus of the merging partner, in which star formation was induced during the previous close passage.

Extended Lyman-α emission around bright quasars

Quasars trace the most massive structures at high redshifts and their presence may influence the evolution of the massive host galaxies. We study the extended Lyman alpha emission line regions (EELRs) around seven bright, mostly radio-quiet quasars (QSOs) at 2.7<z<4.5, and compare luminosities with EELRs around radio-loud QSOs reported in the literature. Using integral field spectroscopy, we analyse the morphology and kinematics of the quiescent Lya EELRs around the QSOs. We find evidence for the presence of EELRs around four radio-quiet and one radio-loud QSO. All EELRs appear asymmetric and the optically brightest QSOs also have the brightest Lya nebulae. For the two brightest nebulae we find velocities between ~600 km s^-1 at the QSO position to ~200 km s^-1 at a distance of 3-4 arcsec from the QSO and surface flux densities up to 2-3*10^{-16} erg cm^-2 s^-1 arcsec^-2. The five EELRs have total Lya luminosities which correspond to ~0.5% of the luminosities from the QSOs broad Lya emission lines. This fraction is an order of magnitude smaller than found for EELRs around radio-loud, steep spectrum QSOs reported in the literature. While the nebulae luminosities are correlated with the QSO Lya luminosities, we find that nebulae luminosities are not correlated with the central QSO ionising fluxes. The presence of gas in the EELRs can be interpreted based on two competing scenarios: either from quasar feedback mechanisms, or from infalling matter. Apart from these two effects, the Lya flux around radio-loud objects can be enhanced due to interactions with the radio jets. The relatively fainter nebulae around radio-quiet QSOs compared to lobe-dominated radio-loud QSOs can be ascribed to this effect, or to significant differences in the environments between the two classes.

Radio-quiet objects in the 2QZ survey

Co-addition of blank-field FIRST data at the location of over 8000 QSOs in the 2QZ survey has yielded statistical detections of radio quiet QSOs with median flux levels of 20-40microJy. We show that the total radio flux of radio-quiet QSOs in the 2QZ is consistent with a smooth extrapolation of the 2QZ radio-loud QSO number-flux distribution based on the slope of the relation flattening near the FIRST flux limit. However, we are unable to distinguish a smooth extrapolation of the luminosity function to faint levels from a bimodal luminosity function with a break close to or below the FIRST radio detection limit. We also demonstrate that the redshift dependence of the median radio-to-optical spectral index for these radio quiet QSOs is consistent with that obtained for individual radio-loud 2QZ QSOs detected by FIRST.

Q0906+6930: The Highest Redshift Blazar

We report the discovery of a radio-loud flat-spectrum QSO at z = 5.47 with properties similar to those of the EGRET γ-ray blazars. This source is the brightest radio QSO at z > 5, with a parsec-scale radio jet and a black hole mass estimate ≳1010 M☉. It appears to be the most distant blazar discovered to date. High-energy observations of this source can provide powerful probes of the background radiation in the early universe.

Direct Mapping of Massive Compact Objects in Extragalactic Dark Halos

We propose a method for directly detecting MASsive Compact Objects (MASCOs) in extragalactic halos, using VLBI techniques with extremely high resolution ˜ 0.01 milli-arcsec. If a galactic halo comprising a large number of MASCOs produces multiple images of a background radio-loud QSO by gravitational lensing, then a high-resolution radio map of each macro-lensed image should reveal microlensing effects by MASCOs. Based on the size, position, and magnified or demagnified patterns of images, we shall be able to determine the mass and density profile of an individual MASCO as well as its spatial distribution and abundance in a galactic halo.

Direct Mapping of Massive Compact Objects in Extragalactic Dark Halos

A significant fraction of nonbaryonic or baryonic dark matter in galactic halos may consist of massive compact objects (MASCOs) with mass M = 101-104 M☉. Possible candidates for such compact objects include primordial black holes or remnants of primordial (Population III) stars. We propose a method for directly detecting MASCOs in extragalactic halos, using the VLBI techniques with extremely high resolution that would be achieved by the next-generation mission of the VLBI Space Observatory Program such as VSOP-2. If a galactic halo comprising a large number of MASCOs produces multiple images of a background radio-loud QSO by gravitational lensing, then a high-resolution radio map of each macrolensed image should reveal microlensing effects by MASCOs. To assess their observational feasibility, we simulate microlensing of the radio-loud, four-image lensed QSO, B1422+231, assuming angular resolution of ~0.01 mas. MASCOs are represented by point masses. For comparison, we also simulate microlensing of B1422+231 by singular isothermal spheres. We find that the surface brightness of the macrolensed images shows distinct spatial patterns on the scale of the Einstein radius of the perturbers. In the case of point-mass perturbers, many tiny dark spots also appear in the macrolensed images associated with a decrease in the surface brightness toward the fringe of the original QSO image, whereas no such spots are available in the SIS models. Because such spatial patterns in each macrolensed image cannot be linearly mapped to those in other macrolensed images if they are relevant to lensing perturbers, it is fairly easy to discriminate them from intrinsic substructures within a QSO. Based on the size, position, and magnified or demagnified patterns of images, we shall be able to determine the mass and density profile of an individual MASCO as well as its spatial distribution and abundance in a galactic halo.

The European Large AreaISOSurvey - VII.ROSATobservations of ELAIS sources

We present a cross-correlation between the ELAIS 15$\mu$m ISO survey with the {\it ROSAT} (0.1-2 keV) all-sky survey and the pointed observations WGACAT source catalogue. The resulting sample contains 15 objects. Optical spectroscopic identifications exist for 13 objects: 6 broad-line QSOs, 4 narrow line galaxies or type-2 AGN (NLG) and 3 stars. We have used both the X-ray to IR luminosity flux ratio $f_{x}/f_{IR}$ and the X-ray hardness ratios diagnostics to estimate the amount of obscuration in these objects. The X-ray spectrum of the narrow-line galaxies does not present strong evidence for obscuration; however, the low $f_{x}/f_{IR}$ ratio combined with the high X-ray luminosities suggest that at least one of the narrow line galaxies is associated with an obscured Seyfert nucleus. 4 out of 6 QSOs present high $f_{x}/f_{IR}$ ratios and steep X-ray spectra with $\Gamma>2$. One QSO (ELAISC15-J133442+375736) at a redshift of z=1.89, has an abnormally low X-ray/IR flux ratio, with its infrared luminosity approaching that of an hyperluminous galaxy ($\sim10^{12.98} h^{-2} L_\odot$). Finally, one radio-loud QSO is the hardest X-ray source in our sample, presenting strong evidence for a high absorbing column ($N_H\sim10^{22}\rm cm^{-2}$).

Angular correlation of ultra-high energy cosmic rays with compact radio-loud quasars

Angular correlations of ultra-high energy cosmic rays with cosmologically distant sources may provide clues to these mysterious events. We compare cosmic ray tracks with energies above 10 20 eV to a compilation of radio-loud compact QSO positions. The statistical method emphasizes invariant quantities and a test of statistical independence of track and source distributions. Statistical independence is ruled out by several independent statistics at confidence levels of orders 97–99%, indicating that track directions and QSO source positions are correlated at a significant level.

PKS 1004+13: A High-Inclination, Highly Absorbed Radio-loud QSO—the First Radio-loud Broad Absorption Line QSO at Low Redshift?

The existence of broad absorption line (BAL) outflows in only radio-quiet QSOs was thought to be an important clue to mass ejection and the radio-loud-radio-quiet dichotomy. Recently, a few radio-loud BAL QSOs have been discovered at high redshift. We present evidence that PKS 1004+13 is a radio-loud BAL QSO. It would be the first known at low redshift (zem = 0.24) and one of the most radio-luminous. For PKS 1004+13, there appear to be broad absorption troughs of O VI, N V, Si IV, and C IV, indicating high-ionization outflows up to ~10,000 km s-1. There are also two strong, broad (~550 km s-1), high-ionization associated absorption systems that show partial covering of the continuum source. The strong UV absorption we have detected suggests that the extreme, soft X-ray weakness of PKS 1004+13 is primarily the result of absorption. The large radio-lobe dominance indicates BAL and associated gas at high inclinations to the central engine axis, perhaps in a line of sight that passes through an accretion disk wind.

Discovery of Radio-Loud Broad Absorption Line Quasars Using Ultraviolet Excess and Deep Radio Selection

We report the discovery of five broad-absorption-line (BAL) QSOs in a complete sample of 111 ultraviolet excess (UVX) QSO candidates also detected in the NRAO VLA Sky Survey. All five BAL QSOs, which include two high-ionization BAL QSOs and three low-ionization BAL QSOs, are formally radio-loud. Of QSOs with z > 0.4, 3+/-2% show low-ionization BALs, and of QSOs with z > 1.5, all radio-loud, 9+/-5% show BALs; these frequencies are consistent with those of optical surveys. While the first reported radio-loud BAL QSO, FIRST J155633.8+351758, is likely to be heavily dust reddened and thus less radio-loud than indicated by its observed radio-to-optical luminosity, these QSOs are UVX selected and probably free of significant dust along the line of sight. We point out unusual features in two of the BAL QSOs and discuss the significance finding these heretofore rare objects.

The FIRST Radio-loud Broad Absorption Line QSO and Evidence for a Hidden Population of Quasars

We have discovered two low-ionization broad absorption line quasars in programs to obtain optical spectra for radio-selected quasar candidates from the VLA FIRST Survey (Becker, White, & Helfand 1995). Both belong to the extremely rare class of BAL QSOs that exhibit narrow absorption lines from metastable excited levels of Fe II and Fe III. Until now, there was just a single object in this class, 0059-2735 (Hazard et al. 1987). In addition, one of our new objects is the first known radio-loud BAL QSO. The properties of these three unusual objects suggest a trend of increasing radio luminosity with the amount of absorption to the quasar, and are perhaps transition objects between radio-loud and radio-quiet quasars. The two new objects are from a radio-selected sample comprising less than 200 quasars; one is heavily attenuated at optical wavelengths in the observed frame. These objects would be easily overlooked by most optical QSO searches; their abundance in the radio sample suggests that they may be representatives of a largely undetected component of the quasar population, perhaps as numerous as ordinary low-ionization BAL QSOs which constitute 1-2% of all QSOs.

Are Radio-Loud Quasars Rebellious or are Radio-Quiets Just Plain Untalented?

AbstractWe present some of the results of a preliminary statistical study of 20 QSOs. We compare equivalent widths and widths at 40–80% of flux maximum of the Lyα, Si IVλ1400, C IV λ1549, and C III] λ1909 lines between radio-loud and radio-quiet QSO subsamples and with previously reported findings.