X-ray Absorption in Type II Quasars: Implications for the Equatorial Paradigm of Broad Absorption Line Quasars

Abstract

In this article, the hydrogen column densities derived from X-ray observations of type II (hidden) quasars and broad absorption line quasars (BALQSOs) are compared. These column densities represent the amount of absorbing material between the X-ray source and the observer. A sample of type II QSOs with strong narrow emission lines, weak UV continuum and no broad emission lines that also have deep X-ray observations was collected from the literature for analysis. The standard model of equatorial BAL (broad absorption line) winds predicts that the column densities of this type II QSO sample should significantly exceed BALQSO column densities. Based on the existing published deep hard X-ray observations this does not seem to be true, the BALQSO absorption columns are anomalously large. Actually, the limited existing data indicate that BALQSOs have column densities which are larger than the type II QSO column densities at a statistically significant level. The implication to BAL outflows and the fundamental physical geometry of QSOs is discussed.