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arXiv · 2012.01425

Exploring the link between C IV outflow kinematics and sublimation-temperature dust in quasars

Abstract

Using data from SDSS, UKIDSS and WISE, we investigate the properties of the high-frequency cutoff to the infrared emission in $\simeq$5000 carefully selected luminous ($L_{bol} \simeq 10^{47}$) type 1 quasars. The strength of $\simeq$2 $\mu$m emission, corresponding to emission from the hottest (T>1200K) dust in the sublimation zone surrounding the central continuum source, is observed to correlate with the blueshift of the C IV $\lambda$1550 emission line. We therefore find that objects with stronger signatures of nuclear outflows tend to have a larger covering fraction of sublimation-temperature dust. When controlling for the observed outflow strength, the hot dust covering fraction does not vary significantly across our sample as a function of luminosity, black hole mass or Eddington fraction. The correlation between the hot dust and the C IV line blueshifts, together with the lack of correlation between the hot dust and other parameters, therefore provides evidence of a link between the properties of the broad emission line region and the infrared-emitting dusty regions in quasars.

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Matthew J. Temple, Manda Banerji, Paul C. Hewett, Amy L. Rankine, Gordon T. Richards. 2020-12-02. Exploring the link between C IV outflow kinematics and sublimation-temperature dust in quasars. https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staa3842

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