Study of Swift/BAT Selected Low-luminosity Active Galactic Nuclei Observed with Suzaku

We systematically analyze the broadband (0.5--200 keV) X-ray spectra of hard X-ray ($>10$ keV) selected local low-luminosity active galactic nuclei (LLAGNs) observed with {\it Suzaku} and {\it Swift}/BAT. The sample consists of ten LLAGNs detected with {\it Swift}/BAT with intrinsic 14--195 keV luminosities smaller than $10^{42}$ erg s$^{-1}$ available in the {\it Suzaku} archive, covering a wide range of the Eddington ratio from $10^{-5}$ to $10^{-2}$. The overall spectra can be reproduced with an absorbed cut-off power law, often accompanied by reflection components from distant cold matter, and/or optically-thin thermal emission from the host galaxy. In all objects, relativistic reflection components from the innermost disk are not required. Eight objects show a significant narrow iron-K$\alpha$ emission line. Comparing their observed equivalent widths with the predictions from the Monte-Carlo based torus model by \cite{Ike09}, we constrain the column density in the equatorial plane to be $\log N^{\rm eq}_{\rm H} > 22.7$ or the torus half opening angle $\theta_{\rm oa} < 70^\circ$. We infer that the Eddington ratio ($\lambda_{\rm Edd}$) is a key parameter that determines the torus structure of LLAGNs: the torus becomes large at $\lambda_{\rm Edd} \gtrsim 2\times10^{-4}$, whereas at lower accretion rates it is little developed. The luminosity correlation between the hard X-ray and mid-infrared (MIR) bands of the LLAGNs follows the same one as for more luminous AGNs. This implies that other mechanisms than AGN-heated dust are responsible for the MIR emission in low Eddington ratio LLAGNs.Comment: 16 pages, 55 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

NuSTAR hard X-ray data and Gemini 3D spectra reveal powerful AGN and outflow histories in two low-redshift Lyman-α\alpha blobs

We have shown that Lyman-$\alpha$ blobs (LABs) may still exist even at $z\sim0.3$, about 7 billion years later than most other LABs known (Schirmer et al. 2016). Their luminous Ly$\alpha$ and [OIII] emitters at $z\sim0.3$ offer new insights into the ionization mechanism. This paper focuses on the two X-ray brightest LABs at $z\sim0.3$, SDSS J0113$+$0106 (J0113) and SDSS J1155$-$0147 (J1155), comparable in size and luminosity to `B1', one of the best-studied LABs at $z \gtrsim$ 2. Our NuSTAR hard X-ray (3--30 keV) observations reveal powerful active galactic nuclei (AGN) with $L_{2-10{\;\rm keV}}=(0.5$--$3)\times10^{44}$ erg cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$. J0113 also faded by a factor of $\sim 5$ between 2014 and 2016, emphasizing that variable AGN may cause apparent ionization deficits in LABs. Joint spectral analyses including Chandra data constrain column densities of $N_{\rm H}=5.1^{+3.1}_{-3.3}\times10^{23}$ cm$^{-2}$ (J0113) and $N_{\rm H}=6.0^{+1.4}_{-1.1}\times10^{22}$ cm$^{-2}$ (J1155). J0113 is likely buried in a torus with a narrow ionization cone, but ionizing radiation is also leaking in other directions as revealed by our Gemini/GMOS 3D spectroscopy. The latter shows a bipolar outflow over $10$ kpc, with a peculiar velocity profile that is best explained by AGN flickering. X-ray analysis of J1155 reveals a weakly absorbed AGN that may ionize over a wide solid angle, consistent with our 3D spectra. Extinction corrected [OIII] log-luminosities are high, $\sim43.6$. The velocity dispersions are low, $\sim100$--$150$ km s$^{-1}$, even at the AGN positions. We argue that this is a combination of high extinction hiding the turbulent gas, and previous outflows that have cleared the escape paths for their successors.Comment: 15 pages, 17 Figures, accepted for publication in Ap