220 research outputs found
On the multiplicity of ALMA Compact Array counterparts of far-infrared bright quasars
We present ALMA Atacama Compact Array (ACA) 870 micron continuum maps of 28
infrared-bright SDSS quasars with Herschel/SPIRE detections at redshifts 2-4,
the largest such sample ever observed with ALMA. The ACA detections are centred
on the SDSS coordinates to within 1 arcsec for about 80 per cent of the sample.
Larger offsets indicate that the far-infrared (FIR) emission detected by
Herschel might come from a companion source. The majority of the objects (about
70 per cent) have unique ACA counterparts within the SPIRE beam down to 3-4
arcsec resolution. Only 30 per cent of the sample shows clear evidence for
multiple sources with secondary counterparts contributing to the total 870
micron flux within the SPIRE beam to at least 25 per cent. We discuss the
limitations of the data based on simulated pairs of point-like sources at the
resolution of the ACA and present an extensive comparison of our findings with
recent works on the multiplicities of sub-millimetre galaxies. We conclude
that, despite the coarse resolution of the ACA, our data support the idea that,
for a large fraction of FIR-bright quasars, the sub-mm emission comes from
single sources. Our results suggest that, on average, optically bright quasars
with strong FIR emission are not triggered by early-stage mergers but are,
instead, together with their associated star formation rates, the outcome of
either late-stage mergers or secular processes.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figure
Evolution of the far-infrared luminosity functions in the Spitzer Wide-area Infrared Extragalactic Legacy Survey
We present new observational determination of the evolution of the rest-frame
70 and 160 micron and total infrared (TIR) galaxy luminosity functions (LFs)
using 70 micron data from the Spitzer Wide-area Infrared Extragalactic Legacy
Survey (SWIRE). The LFs were constructed for sources with spectroscopic
redshifts only in the XMM-LSS and Lockman Hole fields from the SWIRE
photometric redshift catalogue. The 70 micron and TIR LFs were constructed in
the redshift range 0<z<1.2 and the 160 micron LF was constructed in the
redshift range 0<z<0.5 using a parametric Bayesian and the vmax methods. We
assume in our models, that the faint-end power-law index of the LF does not
evolve with redshifts. We find the the double power-law model is a better
representation of the IR LF than the more commonly used power-law and Gaussian
model. We model the evolution of the FIR LFs as a function of redshift where
where the characteristic luminosity, evolve as
\propto(1+z)^{\alpha_\textsc{l}}. The rest-frame 70 micron LF shows a strong
luminosity evolution out to z=1.2 with alpha_l=3.41^{+0.18}_{-0.25}. The
rest-frame 160 micron LF also showed rapid luminosity evolution with
alpha_l=5.53^{+0.28}_{-0.23} out to z=0.5. The rate of evolution in luminosity
is consistent with values estimated from previous studies using data from IRAS,
ISO and Spitzer. The TIR LF evolves in luminosity with
alpha_l=3.82^{+0.28}_{-0.16} which is in agreement with previous results from
Spitzer 24 micron which find strong luminosity evolution. By integrating the LF
we calculated the co-moving IR luminosity density out to z=1.2, which confirm
the rapid evolution in number density of LIRGs and ULIRGs which contribute
~68^{+10}_{-07} % to the co-moving star formation rate density at z=1.2. Our
results based on 70 micron data confirms that the bulk of the star formation at
z=1 takes place in dust obscured objects.Comment: 17 pages, 14 figure
On the far-infrared metallicity diagnostics: applications to high-redshift galaxies
In an earlier paper we modeled the far-infrared emission from a star-forming
galaxy using the photoionisation code CLOUDY and presented metallicity
sensitive diagnostics based on far-infrared fine structure line ratios. Here,
we focus on the applicability of the [OIII]88/[NII]122 microns line ratio as a
gas phase metallicity indicator in high redshift submillimetre luminous
galaxies. The [OIII]88/[NII]122 microns ratio is strongly dependent on the
ionization parameter (which is related to the total number of ionizing photons)
as well as the gas electron density. We demonstrate how the ratio of 88/$122
continuum flux measurements can provide a reasonable estimate of the ionization
parameter while the availability of the [NII]205 microns line can constrain the
electron density. Using the [OIII]88/[NII]122 microns line ratios from a sample
of nearby normal and star-forming galaxies we measure their gas phase
metallicities and find that their mass metallicity relation is consistent with
the one derived using optical emission lines. Using new, previously
unpublished, Herschel spectroscopic observations of key far-infrared fine
structure lines of the z~3 galaxy HLSW-01 and additional published measurements
of far-infrared fine structure lines of high-z submillimetre luminous galaxies
we derive gas phase metallicities using their [OIII]88/[NII]122 microns line
ratio. We find that the metallicities of these z~3 submm luminous galaxies are
consistent with solar metallicities and that they appear to follow the
mass-metallicity relation expected for z~3 systems.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, MNRAS in pres
The Luminosity Function Evolution of Soft X--ray selected AGN in the RIXOS survey
A sample of 198 soft X--ray selected active galactic nuclei (AGN) from the
ROSAT International X--ray Optical Survey (RIXOS), is used to investigate the
X--ray luminosity function and its evolution. RIXOS, with a flux limit of 3E-14
erg s-1 cm-2 (0.5 to 2.0 keV), samples a broad range in redshift over 20 deg^2
of sky, and is almost completely identified; it is used in combination with the
Einstein Extended Medium Sensitivity Survey (EMSS), to give a total sample of
over 600 AGN. We find the evolution of AGN with redshift to be consistent with
pure luminosity evolution (PLE) models in which the rate of evolution slows
markedly or stops at high redshifts z>1.8. We find that this result is not
affected by the inclusion, or exclusion, of narrow emission line galaxies at
low redshift in the RIXOS and EMSS samples, and is insensitive to uncertainties
in the conversion between flux values measured with ROSAT and Einstein. We
confirm, using a model independent Ve/Va test, that our survey is consistent
with no evolution at high redshifts.Comment: 10 pages, LaTeX file, PS figures and mn.sty. Accepted in MNRA
Mid-infrared sources in the ELAIS Deep X-ray Survey
We present a cross‐correlation of the European Large Area Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) survey (ELAIS) with the ELAIS Deep X‐ray Survey of the N1 and N2 fields. There are seven Chandra point sources with matches in the ELAIS Final Analysis 15‐μm catalogue, out of a total of 28 extragalactic ISO sources present in the Chandra fields. Five of these are consistent with active galactic nuclei (AGN) giving an AGN fraction of ∼19 per cent in the 15‐μm flux range 0.8–6 mJy. We have co‐added the hard X‐ray fluxes of the individually undetected ISO sources and find a low significance detection consistent with star formation in the remaining population. We combine our point source cross‐correlation fraction with the XMM–Newton observations of the Lockman Hole and Chandra observations of the Hubble Deep Field North to constrain source count models of the mid‐infrared galaxy population. The low dust‐enshrouded AGN fraction in ELAIS implied by the number of cross‐identifications between the ELAIS mid‐infrared sample and the Chandra point sources is encouraging for the use of mid‐infrared surveys to constrain the cosmic star formation history, provided there are not further large undetected populations of Compton‐thick AGN
Keck spectroscopy of z=1-3 ULIRGs from the Spitzer SWIRE survey
(Abridged) High-redshift ultra luminous infrared galaxies contribute the bulk
of the cosmic IR background and are the best candidates for very massive
galaxies in formation at z>1.5. We present Keck/LRIS optical spectroscopy of 35
z>1.4 luminous IR galaxies in the Spitzer Wide-area Infra-Red Extragalactic
survey (SWIRE) northern fields (Lockman Hole, ELAIS-N1, ELAIS-N2). The primary
targets belong to the ``IR-peak'' class of galaxies, having the 1.6 micron
(restframe) stellar feature detected in the IRAC Spitzer channels.The spectral
energy distributions of the main targets are thoroughly analyzed, by means of
spectro-photometric synthesis and multi-component fits (stars + starburst dust
+ AGN torus). The IR-peak selection technique is confirmed to successfully
select objects above z=1.4, though some of the observed sources lie at lower
redshift than expected. Among the 16 galaxies with spectroscopic redshift, 62%
host an AGN component, two thirds being type-1 and one third type-2 objects.
The selection, limited to r'<24.5, is likely biased to optically-bright AGNs.
The SEDs of non-AGN IR-peakers resemble those of starbursts (SFR=20-500
Msun/yr) hosted in massive (M>1e11 Msun) galaxies. The presence of an AGN
component provides a plausible explanation for the spectroscopic/photometric
redshift discrepancies, as the torus produces an apparent shift of the peak to
longer wavelengths. These sources are analyzed in IRAC and optical-IR color
spaces. In addition to the IR-peak galaxies, we present redshifts and spectral
properties for 150 objects, out of a total of 301 sources on slits.Comment: Accepted for publications on Astronomy and Astrophysics (acceprance
date March 8th, 2007). 33 pages. The quality of some figures have been
degrade
The first Frontier Fields cluster: 4.5{\mu}m excess in a z~8 galaxy candidate in Abell 2744
We present in this letter the first analysis of a z~8 galaxy candidate found
in the Hubble and Spitzer imaging data of Abell 2744, as part of the Hubble
Frontier Fields legacy program. We applied the most commonly-used methods to
select exceptionally high-z galaxies by combining non-detection and
color-criteria using seven HST bands. We used GALFIT on IRAC images for fitting
and subtracting contamination of bright nearby sources. The physical properties
have been inferred from SED-fitting using templates with and without nebular
emission. This letter is focussed on the brightest candidate we found
(m=26.2) over the 4.9 arcmin field of view covered by the WFC3.
It shows a non-detection in the ACS bands and at 3.6{\mu}m whereas it is
clearly detected at 4.5{\mu}m with rather similar depths. This break in the
IRAC data could be explained by strong [OIII]+H{\beta} lines at z~8 which
contribute to the 4.5{\mu}m photometry. The best photo-z is found at
z~8.0, although solutions at low-redshift (z~1.9) cannot be
completely excluded, but they are strongly disfavoured by the SED-fitting work.
The amplification factor is relatively small at {\mu}=1.490.02. The Star
Formation Rate in this object is ranging from 8 to 60 Mo/yr, the stellar mass
is in the order of M=(2.5-10) x 10Mo and the size is
r~0.350.15 kpc. This object is one of the first z~8 LBG candidates showing
a clear break between 3.6{\mu}m and 4.5{\mu}m which is consistent with the IRAC
properties of the first spectroscopically confirmed galaxy at a similar
redshift. Due to its brightness, the redshift of this object could potentially
be confirmed by near infrared spectroscopy with current 8-10m telescopes. The
nature of this candidate will be revealed in the coming months with the arrival
of new ACS and Spitzer data, increasing the depth at optical and near-IR
wavelengths.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, Accepted for publication in Astronomy and
Astrophysics Letter
The Deficit of Distant Galaxy Clusters in the RIXOS X-ray Survey
Clusters of galaxies are the largest gravitationally bound systems and
therefore provide an important way of studying the formation and evolution of
the large scale structure of the Universe. Cluster evolution can be inferred
from observations of the X-ray emission of the gas in distant clusters, but
interpreting these data is not straightforward. In a simplified view, clusters
grow from perturbations in the matter distribution: their intracluster gas is
compressed and shock-heated by the gravitational collapse. The resulting
X-ray emission is determined by the hydrostatic equilibrium of the gas in the
changing gravitational potential. However, if processes such as radiative
cooling or pre-collapse heating of the gas are important, then the X-ray
evolution will be strongly influenced by the thermal history of the gas. Here
we present the first results from a faint flux-limited sample of X-ray selected
clusters compiled as part of the ROSAT International X-ray and Optical Survey
(RIXOS). Very few distant clusters have been identified. Most importantly,
their redshift distribution appears to be inconsistent with simple models based
on the evolution of the gravitational potential. Our results suggest that
radiative cooling or non-gravitational heating of the intracluster gas must
play an important role in the evolution of clusters.Comment: uuencoded compressed postscript. The preprint is also available at
http://www.ast.cam.ac.uk/preprint/PrePrint.htm
The ELAIS Deep X-ray Survey
We present initial follow-up results of the ELAIS Deep X-ray Survey which is
being undertaken with the Chandra and XMM-Newton Observatories. 235 X-ray
sources are detected in our two 75 ks ACIS-I observations in the well-studied
ELAIS N1 and N2 areas. 90% of the X-ray sources are identified optically to
R=26 with a median magnitude of R=24. We show that objects which are unresolved
optically (i.e. quasars) follow a correlation between their optical and X-ray
fluxes, whereas galaxies do not. We also find that the quasars with fainter
optical counterparts have harder X-ray spectra, consistent with absorption at
both wavebands. Initial spectroscopic follow-up has revealed a large fraction
of high-luminosity Type 2 quasars. The prospects for studying the evolution of
the host galaxies of X-ray selected Type 2 AGN are considered.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, To appear in Proceedings of XXI Moriond
Conference: "Galaxy Clusters and the High Redshift Universe Observed in
X-rays", edited by D. Neumann, F.Durret, & J. Tran Thanh Va
Optical and X-ray properties of the RIXOS AGN: II - Emission lines
We present the optical and UV emission line properties of 160 X-ray selected
AGN taken from the RIXOS survey (including Halpha, Hbeta, [OIII]5007, MgII2798
and CIII]1909). This sample is believed to contain a mixture of absorbed and
unabsorbed objects, with column densities up to 4e21 cm-2. Although the
distribution of the [OIII] EW for the RIXOS AGN is typical of optically
selected samples, the Balmer line EWs are relatively low. This is consistent
with the presence of a dust absorber between the broad and narrow line regions
(eg. a molecular torus), and intrinsically weak optical line emission. We find
Baldwin effects in CIII] and MgII, and a positive response of the MgII line to
its ionizing continuum. There is a strong correlation between the EW and FWHM
of MgII, which may be similar to that seen in other samples for Hbeta. We
demonstrate that this is consistent with models which suggest two line-emitting
zones, a `very broad line region' (VBLR) and an `intermediate line region'
(ILR). The correlation between EW and FWHM in MgII may be a physical
characteristic of the ILR or it may reflect a geometric dependence. We found no
correlation between the Hbeta FWHM and the slope of the X-ray spectrum, however
this may be due to the effects of dust absorption which suppresses the broad
Hbeta component, masking any relationship. The Halpha FWHM does tend to be
narrow when alpha_X is soft, and broadens as alpha_X hardens, although the
formal probability for this correlation is low (91 per cent). If the
distribution of alpha_X in the RIXOS sample reflects the level of intrinsic
absorption in these AGN, the data suggest a possible link between the velocity
of the Balmer line-emitting region and the amount of absorbing material beyond.Comment: 29 pages, 14 figures, to be published in Monthly Notices of the Royal
Astronomical Society. Also available from
http://www.mssl.ucl.ac.uk/www_astro/preprints/preprints.htm
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