IUE absorption studies of broad- and narrow-line gas in Seyfert galaxies

The interstellar medium of a galaxy containing an active nucleus may be profoundly affected by the high energy (X-ray, EUV) continuum flux emanating from the central source. The energetic source may photoionize the interstellar medium out to several kiloparsecs, thereby creating a global H II region. The International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite has attempted to observe in several Seyfert galaxies (NGC 3516, NGC 4151, NGC 1068, 3C 120) the narrow absorption lines expected from such global H II regions. Instead, in two of the galaxies (NGC 3516, NGC 4151) broad, variable absorption lines at C IV lambda 1550, N V lambda 1240, and Si IV lambda 1400 were found, as well as weaker absorption features at O I lambda 1302 and C II lambda 1335. These features swamp any possible global H II region absorption. Such broad absorption features have previously been observed in IUE data, but their origin is still not well understood

A polarized neutron-scattering study of the Cooper-pair moment in Sr2RuO4

We report a study of the magnetization density in the mixed state of the unconventional superconductor S2RuO4. On entering the superconducting state we find no change in the magnitude or distribution of the induced moment for a magnetic field of 1 Tesla applied within the RuO2 planes. Our results are consistent with a spin-triplet Cooper pairing with spins lying in the basal plane. This is in contrast with similar experiments performed on conventional and high-Tc superconductors.Comment: Submitted to Physical Review Letter

The Metagalactic Ionizing Radiation Field at Low Redshift

We compute the ionizing radiation field at low redshift, arising from Seyferts, QSOs, and starburst galaxies. This calculation combines recent Seyfert luminosity functions, extrapolated ultraviolet fluxes from our IUE-AGN database, and a new intergalactic opacity model based on Hubble Space Telescope and Keck Ly-alpha absorber surveys. At z = 0 for AGN only, our best estimate for the specific intensity at 1 Ryd is I_0 = 1.3 (+0.8/-0.5) x 10^-23 ergs/cm^2/s/Hz/sr, independent of H_0, Omega_0, and Lambda. The one-sided ionizing photon flux is Phi_ion = 3400 (+2100/-1300) photons/cm^2/s, and the H I photoionization rate is Gamma_HI = 3.2 (+2.0/-1.2) x 10^-14 s^-1 for alpha_s = 1.8. We also derive Gamma_ HI for z = 0 - 4. These error ranges reflect uncertainties in the spectral indexes for the ionizing EUV (alpha_s = 1.8 +/- 0.3) and the optical/UV (alpha_UV = 0.86 +/- 0.05), the IGM opacity model, the range of Seyfert luminosities (0.001 - 100 L*) and the completeness of the luminosity functions. Our estimate is a factor of three lower than the most stringent upper limits on the ionizing background (Phi_ion < 10^4 photons/cm^2/s) obtained from H-alpha observations in external clouds, and it lies within the range implied by other indirect measures. Starburst galaxies with a sufficiently large Lyman continuum escape fraction, f_ esc > 0.05, may provide a comparable background to AGN, I_0 (z=0) = 1.1 (+1.5/-0.7) x 10^{-23). An additional component of the ionizing background of this magnitude would violate neither upper limits from H-alpha observations nor the acceptable range from other measurements.Comment: 30 pages, 9 figures, accepted for Astronomical J. (Oct. 1999

A Study of the Reionization History of Intergalactic Helium with FUSE and VLT

We obtained high-resolution VLT and FUSE spectra of the quasar HE2347-4342 to study the properties of the intergalactic medium between redshifts z=2.0-2.9. The high-quality optical spectrum allows us to identify approximately 850 HeII absorption components with column densities between N~5X10^11 and $ 10^18 cm^-2. The reprocessed FUSE spectrum extends the wavelength coverage of the HeII absorption down to an observed wavelength of 920 A. Approximately 1400 HeII absorption components are identified, including 917 HeII Ly-alpha systems and some of their HeII Ly-beta, Ly-gamma, and Ly-delta counterparts. The ionization structure of HeII is complex, with approximately 90 components that are not detected in the hydrogen spectrum. These components may represent the effect of soft ionizing sources. The ratio Eta=N(HeII)/N(HI) varies approximately from unity to more than a thousand, with a median value of 62 and a distribution consistent with the intrinsic spectral indices of quasars. This suggests that the dominant ionizing field is from the accumulated quasar radiation, with contributions from other soft sources such as star-forming regions and obscured AGN, which do not ionize helium. We find an evolution in Eta toward smaller values at lower redshift, with the gradual disappearance of soft components. At redshifts z>2.7, the large but finite increase in the HeII opacity, Tau=5+/-1, suggests that we are viewing the end stages of a reionization process that began at an earlier epoch. Fits of the absorption profiles of unblended lines indicate comparable velocities between hydrogen and He^+ ions. At hydrogen column densities N<3X10^12 cm^-2 the number of forest lines shows a significant deficit relative to a power law, and becomes negligible below N=10^11 cm^-2.Comment: 40 pages, 10 Postscript figures, uses Aastex.sty The Astrophysical Journal, in pres

FUSE Observations of Intrinsic Absorption in the Seyfert 1 Galaxy Mrk 509

We present far-ultraviolet spectra of the Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 509 obtained in 1999 November with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE). Our data span the observed wavelength range 915-1185 A at a resolution of ~20 km/s. The spectrum shows a blue continuum, broad OVI 1032,1038 emission, and a broad CIII 977 emission line. Superposed on these emission components, we resolve associated absorption lines of OVI 1032,1038, CIII 977, and Lyman lines through Lzeta. Seven distinct kinematic components are present, spanning a velocity range of -440 to +170 km/s relative to the systemic velocity. The absorption is clustered in two groups, one centered at -370m km/s and another at the systemic velocity. The blue-shifted cluster may be associated with the extended line emission visible in deep images of Mrk 509 obtained by Phillips et al. Although several components appear to be saturated, they are not black at their centers. Partial covering or scattering permits ~7% of the broad-line or continuum flux to be unaffected by absorption. Of the multiple components, only one has the same ionization state and column density as highly ionized gas that produces the OVII and OVIII ionization edges in X-ray spectra of Mrk 509. This paper will appear in a special issue of Astrophysical Journal Letters devoted to the first scientific results from the FUSE mission.Comment: To appear in the Astrophysical Journal (Letters). 4 pages, 3 color PostScript figures. Figures are best viewed and printed in color. Added acknowledgment that this is one of many papers to be published in a special issue of ApJL devoted to the first scientific results from the FUSE missio