The Luminous Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Emission Features: Applications to High Redshift Galaxies and Active Galactic Nuclei

The co-evolution of star-formation and supermassive black hole (SMBH) accretion in galaxies is one of the key problems in galaxy formation theory. Understanding the formation of galaxies, and their subsequent evolution, will be coupled to intensive study of the evolution of SMBHs. This thesis focuses on studying diagnostics of star-formation and SMBH accretion to develop tools to study this co-evolution. Chapter 2 consists of using mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectroscopy from the Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) to study the nature of star-formation and SMBH accretion. The mid-IR spectra cover wavelengths 5-38µm, spanning the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) features and important atomic diagnostic lines. We divide our sample into a subsample of galaxies with Spitzer IRAC colors indicative of warm dust heated by an AGN (IRAGN) and those galaxies whose colors indicate star-formation processes (non-IRAGN). In both the IRAGN and star-forming samples, the luminosity in the PAH features correlates strongly with [Ne II]λ12.8µm emission line, from which we conclude that the PAH luminosity directly traces the instantaneous star-formation rate (SFR) in both the IRAGN and star-forming galaxies. There is no measurable difference between the PAH luminosity ratios of L11:3/L7:7 and L6:2/L7:7 for the IRAGN and non-IRAGN, suggesting that AGN do not significantly excite or destroy PAH molecules on galaxy-wide scales. In chapter 3, I calibrate the PAH luminosity as a SFR indicator. We provide a new robust SFR calibration using the luminosity emitted from PAH molecules at 6.2µm, 7.7µm and 11.3µm. The PAH features emit strongly in the mid-IR mitigating dust extinction, containing on average 5 – 10% of the total IR luminosity in galaxies. We use mid-IR spectroscopy from the Spitzer/IRS, and data covering other SFR indicators (Hα emission and rest-frame 24µm continuum emission). The PAH luminosity correlates linearly with the SFR as measured by the Hα luminosity (corrected for attenuation using the mono-chromatic rest-frame 24um emission), with a tight scatter of <0.15 dex. The scatter is comparable to that between SFRs derived from the Paα and dust-corrected Hα emission lines, implying the PAH features may be as accurate a SFR indicator as the Hydrogen recombination lines. Because the PAH features are so bright, our PAH SFR calibration enables an efficient way to measure SFRs in distant galaxies with JWST to SFRs as low as ~10 M⨀ yr^-1 to z <~ 2. We use Spitzer/IRS observations of PAH features in lensed star-forming galaxies at 1 < z < 3 to demonstrate the utility of the PAHs to derive SFRs as accurate as those available from Paα. Chapter 4 is the application of the PAH SFRs for galaxies with AGN to demonstrate the reliability for studies of the co-evolution of star-formation and SMBH accretion. We present a study of the contribution from star-formation in galaxies of varying AGN activity (from pure star-forming galaxies to quasars) as a function of total IR luminosity using a sample of 220 galaxies. We use mid-IR spectroscopy from the Spitzer/IRS and photometry from the MIPS 24µm, 70µm and 160µm bands with partial coverage of the sample with the Herschel 160µm band for the quasars. The contribution from star-formation to the total IR luminosity implied by the PAH emission decreases with increasing IR luminosity. We find a similar result to previous studies for the correlation between SFR, i.e. PAH luminosity, and AGN luminosity for quasars of LSF ∞ L0:67±0:10/AGN and LSF ∞ L0:55±0:15/AGN for the 11.3µm PAH feature only (which has been shown to be the most reliable PAH feature in the vicinity of AGN). This may indicate the PAH luminosity remains a reliable tracer of the SFR for galaxies with strong AGN contributions (i.e. quasars), as we did not subtract off the AGN component before measuring the SFR from the PAH luminosity

A New Star-Formation Rate Calibration from Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Emission Features and Application to High Redshift Galaxies

We calibrate the integrated luminosity from the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) features at 6.2\micron, 7.7\micron\ and 11.3\micron\ in galaxies as a measure of the star-formation rate (SFR). These features are strong (containing as much as 5-10\% of the total infrared luminosity) and suffer minimal extinction. Our calibration uses \spitzer\ Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) measurements of 105 galaxies at $0 < z < 0.4$, infrared (IR) luminosities of 10^9 - 10^{12} \lsol, combined with other well-calibrated SFR indicators. The PAH luminosity correlates linearly with the SFR as measured by the extinction-corrected \ha\ luminosity over the range of luminosities in our calibration sample. The scatter is 0.14 dex comparable to that between SFRs derived from the \paa\ and extinction-corrected \ha\ emission lines, implying the PAH features may be as accurate a SFR indicator as hydrogen recombination lines. The PAH SFR relation depends on gas-phase metallicity, for which we supply an empirical correction for galaxies with 0.2 < \mathrm{Z} \lsim 0.7~\zsol. We present a case study in advance of the \textit{James Webb Space Telescope} (\jwst), which will be capable of measuring SFRs from PAHs in distant galaxies at the peak of the SFR density in the universe ($z\sim2$) with SFRs as low as $\sim$~10~\sfrunits. We use \spitzer/IRS observations of the PAH features and \paa\ emission plus \ha\ measurements in lensed star-forming galaxies at $1 < z < 3$ to demonstrate the ability of the PAHs to derive accurate SFRs. We also demonstrate that because the PAH features dominate the mid-IR fluxes, broad-band mid-IR photometric measurements from \jwst\ will trace both the SFR and provide a way to exclude galaxies dominated by an AGN.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap

Spitzer Spectroscopy of Infrared-Luminous Galaxies: Diagnostics of AGN and Star Formation and Contribution to Total Infrared Luminosity

We use Spitzer IRS spectroscopy to study the nature 65 IR-luminous galaxies at 0.02 1.2mJy. The IRS spectra cover wavelengths spanning the PAH features and important atomic diagnostic lines. Our sample corresponds to L(IR) = L(8-1000micron) = 10^10-10^12 Lsun. We divide our galaxies into those with Spitzer IRAC colors indicative of warm dust heated by an AGN (IRAGN) and those whose colors indicate star-formation processes (non-IRAGN). Compared to the non-IRAGN, the IRAGN show smaller PAH emission EWs, which we attribute to an increase in mid-IR continuum from the AGN. We find that in both the IRAGN and non-IRAGN samples, the PAH luminosities correlate strongly with the [Ne II] emission, from which we conclude that the PAH luminosity directly traces the instantaneous SFR in both the IRAGN and non-IRAGN galaxies. We compare the ratio of PAH luminosity to the total IR luminosity and show that for most IRAGN star-formation accounts for 10-50% of the L(IR). We also find no measurable difference between the PAH luminosity ratios of L(11.3)/L(7.7) and L(6.2)/L(7.7) for the IRAGN and non-IRAGN, suggesting that AGN do not significantly excite or destroy PAH molecules on galaxy-wide scales. A small subset of galaxies show excess of [O IV] emission compared to their PAH emission, which indicates the presence of heavily-obscured AGN, including 3 galaxies that are not otherwise selected as IRAGN. The low PAH emission and low [Ne II] emission of the IRAGN and [O IV]-excess objects imply they have low SFRs and their IR luminosity is dominated by processes associated with the AGN.Comment: 22 pages, 18 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

HFF-DeepSpace photometric catalogs of the 12 Hubble frontier fields, clusters, and parallels : photometry, photometric redshifts, and stellar masses

We present Hubble multi-wavelength photometric catalogs, including (up to) 17 filters with the Advanced Camera for Surveys and Wide Field Camera 3 from the ultra-violet to near-infrared for the Hubble Frontier Fields and associated parallels. We have constructed homogeneous photometric catalogs for all six clusters and their parallels. To further expand these data catalogs, we have added ultra-deep KS-band imaging at 2.2. mu m from the Very Large Telescope HAWK-I and Keck-I MOSFIRE instruments. We also add post-cryogenic Spitzer imaging at 3.6 and 4.5. mu m with the Infrared Array Camera (IRAC), as well as archival IRAC 5.8 and 8.0. mu m imaging when available. We introduce the public release of the multi-wavelength (0.2-8 mu m) photometric catalogs, and we describe the unique steps applied for the construction of these catalogs. Particular emphasis is given to the source detection band, the contamination of light from the bright cluster galaxies (bCGs), and intra-cluster light (ICL). In addition to the photometric catalogs, we provide catalogs of photometric redshifts and stellar population properties. Furthermore, this includes all the images used in the construction of the catalogs, including the combined models of bCGs and ICL, the residual images, segmentation maps, and more. These catalogs are a robust data set of the Hubble Frontier Fields and will be an important aid in designing future surveys, as well as planning follow-up programs with current and future observatories to answer key questions remaining about first light, reionization, the assembly of galaxies, and many more topics, most notably by identifying high-redshift sources to target

A systematic review of economic evaluations of interventions targeting childhood overweight and obesity

This systematic review critically appraised and synthesized evidence from economic evaluations of interventions targeting childhood excess weight. We conducted systematic searches in 11 databases from inception to April 19, 2023. Studies were eligible if they evaluated interventions targeting children up to 18 years and the study intervention(s) targeted childhood excess weight or sought to improve diet or physical activity, regardless of the type of economic evaluation or the underpinning study design. We synthesized evidence using narrative synthesis methods. One-hundred fifty-one studies met the eligibility criteria and were classified into three groups based on the intervention approach: prevention-only (13 studies), prevention and treatment (100 studies), and treatment-only (38 studies). The predominant setting and study design differed considerably between the three groups of studies. However, compared with usual care, most interventions were deemed cost-effective. The study participants' ages, sex, and socioeconomic status were crucial to intervention cost-effectiveness. Interventions whose effects were projected beyond childhood, such as bariatric surgery, lower protein infant formula, and home-based general practitioner consultations, tended to be cost-effective. However, cost-effectiveness was sensitive to the assumptions underlying the persistence and intensity of such effects. Our findings can inform future recommendations on the conduct of economic evaluations of interventions targeting childhood overweight and obesity, as well as practice and policy recommendations

The GOGREEN Survey: A deep stellar mass function of cluster galaxies at 1.0 < z < 1.4 and the complex nature of satellite quenching

We study the stellar mass functions (SMFs) of star-forming and quiescent galaxies in 11 galaxy clusters at 1.0 < z < 1.4 drawn from the Gemini Observations of Galaxies in Rich Early ENvironments (GOGREEN) survey. Based on more than 500 h of Gemini/GMOS spectroscopy and deep multi-band photometry taken with a range of observatories, we probe the SMFs down to a stellar mass limit of 109.7 M⊙ (109.5 M⊙ for star-forming galaxies). At this early epoch, the fraction of quiescent galaxies is already highly elevated in the clusters compared to the field at the same redshift. The quenched fraction excess (QFE) represents the fraction of galaxies that would be star-forming in the field but are quenched due to their environment. The QFE is strongly mass dependent, and increases from ∼30% at M⋆ = 109.7 M⊙ to ∼80% at M⋆ = 1011.0 M⊙. Nonetheless, the shapes of the SMFs of the two individual galaxy types, star-forming and quiescent galaxies, are identical between cluster and field to high statistical precision. Nevertheless, along with the different quiescent fractions, the total galaxy SMF is also environmentally dependent, with a relative deficit of low-mass galaxies in the clusters. These results are in stark contrast with findings in the local Universe, and therefore require a substantially different quenching mode to operate at early times. We discuss these results in light of several popular quenching models.G.R. acknowledges support from the National Science Foundation grants AST-1517815, AST-1716690, and AST-1814159 and NASA HST grant AR-14310.. R.D. gratefully acknowledges support from the Chilean Centro de Excelencia en Astrofísica y Tecnologías Afines (CATA) BASAL grant AFB-170002.P.C. acknowledges the support of the ALMACONICYT grant no 31180051. This work is supported by the National Science Foundation through grant AST-1517863, by HST program number GO-15294, and by grant number 80NSSC17K0019 issued through the NASA Astrophysics Data Analysis Program (ADAP)This work was supported in part by NSF grants AST-1815475 and AST-1518257. Additional support was provided by NASA through grant AR-14289 from the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under NASA contract NAS 5-26555. This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No 769130). This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No. 833824). BV acknowledges financial contribution from the grant PRIN MIUR 2017 n.20173ML3WW_001 (PI Cimatti) and from the INAF main-stream funding programme (PI Vulcani). Based on observations obtained at the Gemini Observatory (GS LP-1 and GN LP-4), which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronom

The importance of structural model availability on seismic interpretation

The authors thank Graham Yielding and Douglas Paton for their kind and supportive comments on the paper. BP/GUPCO are acknowledged for providing data from the Gulf of Suez. The authors acknowledge the support of MVE and use of Move software 2015.2 for this work. Juan Alcalde is funded by NERC grant NE/M007251/1, on interpretational uncertainty. The work could not have been completed without the support of the students of Integrated Petroleum Geoscience Master of Science degree at the University of Aberdeen (United Kingdom) who took part in the interpretation experiment.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Early Science with the Large Millimeter Telescope: Detection of Dust Emission in Multiple Images of a Normal Galaxy at z \u3e 4 Lensed by a Frontier Fields Cluster

We directly detect dust emission in an optically detected, multiply imaged galaxy lensed by the Frontier Fields cluster MACSJ0717.5+3745. We detect two images of the same galaxy at 1.1 mm with the AzTEC camera on the Large Millimeter Telescope leaving no ambiguity in the counterpart identification. This galaxy, MACS0717_Az9, is at z \u3e 4 and the strong lensing model (μ=7.5) allows us to calculate an intrinsic IR luminosity of 9.7 × 1010 Le and an obscured star formation rate of 14.6 ± 4.5 Me yr−1. The unobscured star formation rate from the UV is only 4.1 ± 0.3 Me yr−1, which means the total star formation rate (18.7 ± 4.5 Me yr−1) is dominated (75%–80%) by the obscured component. With an intrinsic stellar mass of only 6.9 × 109 Me, MACS0717_Az9 is one of only a handful of z \u3e 4 galaxies at these lower masses that is detected in dust emission. This galaxy lies close to the estimated star formation sequence at this epoch. However, it does not lie on the dust obscuration relation (IRX-β) for local starburst galaxies and is instead consistent with the Small Magellanic Cloud attenuation law. This remarkable lower mass galaxy, showing signs of both low metallicity and high dust content, may challenge our picture of dust production in the early universe