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

Abstract

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