arXiv subjects

Eric J. Murphy

Publications and source records attributed to Eric J. Murphy.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

(Sub)millimetre interferometric imaging of a sample of COSMOS/AzTEC submillimetre galaxies - II. The spatial extent of the radio-emitting regions

Radio emission at cm wavelengths from highly star-forming galaxies, such as SMGs, is dominated by synchrotron radiation arising from supernova activity. Using deep, high-resolution ($1σ=2.3$ $μ$Jy beam$^{-1}$; $0.75^{"}$) cm radio-continuum observations taken by the VLA-COSMOS 3 GHz Large Project, we studied the radio-emitting sizes of a flux-limited sample of SMGs in the COSMOS field. Of the 39 SMGs studied here, 3 GHz emission was detected towards 18 of them ($\sim46\pm11\%$) with S/N ratios in the range of ${\rm S/N=4.2-37.4}$. Using 2D elliptical Gaussian fits, we derived a median deconvolved major axis FWHM size of $0.54^{"}\pm 0.11^{"}$ for our 18 SMGs detected at 3 GHz. For the 15 SMGs with known redshift we derived a median linear major axis FWHM of $4.2\pm0.9$ kpc. No clear correlation was found between the radio-emitting size and the 3 GHz or submm flux density, or the redshift of the SMG. However, there is a hint of larger radio sizes at $z\sim2.5-5$ compared to lower redshifts. The sizes we derived are consistent with previous SMG sizes measured at 1.4 GHz and in mid-$J$ CO emission, but significantly larger than those seen in the (sub)mm continuum emission. One possible scenario is that SMGs have i) an extended gas component with a low dust temperature, and which can be traced by low- to mid-$J$ CO line emission and radio continuum emission, and ii) a warmer, compact starburst region giving rise to the high-$J$ line emission of CO, which could dominate the dust continuum size measurements. Because of the rapid cooling of CR electrons in dense starburst galaxies ($\sim10^4-10^5$ yr), the more extended synchrotron radio-emitting size being a result of CR diffusion seems unlikely. Instead, if SMGs are driven by galaxy mergers the radio synchrotron emission might arise from more extended magnetised ISM around the starburst region.

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arXiv2015

Microwave Continuum Emission and Dense Gas Tracers in NGC 3627: Combining Jansky VLA and ALMA Observations

We present Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) Ka band (33 GHz) and Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) Band 3 (94.5 GHz) continuum images covering the nucleus and two extranuclear star-forming regions within the nearby galaxy NGC 3627 (M 66), observed as part of the Star Formation in Radio Survey (SFRS). Both images achieve an angular resolution of $\lesssim$2\arcsec, allowing us to map the radio spectral indices and estimate thermal radio fractions at a linear resolution of $\lesssim$90 pc at the distance of NGC 3627. The thermal fraction at 33 GHz reaches unity at and around the peaks of each HII region; we additionally observed the spectral index between 33 and 94.5 GHz to become both increasingly negative and positive away from the peaks of the HII regions, indicating an increase of non-thermal extended emission from diffusing cosmic-ray electrons and the possible presence of cold dust, respectively. While the ALMA observations were optimized for collecting continuum data, they also detected line emission from the $J=1\rightarrow0$ transitions of HCN and HCO$^{+}$. The peaks of dense molecular gas traced by these two spectral lines are spatially offset from the peaks of the 33 and 94.5 GHz continuum emission for the case of the extranuclear star-forming regions, indicating that our data reach an angular resolution at which one can spatially distinguish sites of recent star formation from the sites of future star formation. Finally, we find trends of decreasing dense gas fraction and velocity dispersion with increasing star formation efficiency among the three regions observed, indicating that the dynamical state of the dense gas, rather than its abundance, plays a more significant role in the star formation process.

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arXiv2015

CHANG-ES V: Nuclear Radio Outflow in a Virgo Cluster Spiral after a Tidal Disruption Event

We have observed the Virgo Cluster spiral galaxy, NGC~4845, at 1.6 and 6 GHz using the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array, as part of the `Continuum Halos in Nearby Galaxies -- an EVLA Survey' (CHANG-ES). The source consists of a bright unresolved core with a surrounding weak central disk (1.8 kpc diameter). The core is variable over the 6 month time scale of the CHANG-ES data and has increased by a factor of $\approx$ 6 since 1995. The wide bandwidths of CHANG-ES have allowed us to determine the spectral evolution of this core which peaks {\it between} 1.6 and 6 GHz (it is a GigaHertz-peaked spectrum source).We show that the spectral turnover is dominated by synchrotron self-absorption and that the spectral evolution can be explained by adiabatic expansion (outflow), likely in the form of a jet or cone. The CHANG-ES observations serendipitously overlap in time with the hard X-ray light curve obtained by Nikolajuk \& Walter (2013) which they interpret as due to a tidal disruption event (TDE) of a super-Jupiter mass object around a $10^5\, M_\odot$ black hole. We outline a standard jet model, provide an explanation for the observed circular polarization, and quantitatively suggest a link between the peak radio and peak X-ray emission via inverse Compton upscattering of the photons emitted by the relativistic electrons. We predict that it should be possible to resolve a young radio jet via VLBI as a result of this nearby TDE.

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arXiv2014

The Astrophysics of Star Formation Across Cosmic Time at $\gtrsim$10 GHz with the Square Kilometre Array

In this chapter, we highlight a number of science investigations that are enabled by the inclusion of Band~5 ($4.6-13.8$ GHz) for SKA1-MID science operations, while focusing on the astrophysics of star formation over cosmic time. For studying the detailed astrophysics of star formation at high-redshift, surveys at frequencies $\gtrsim$10 GHz have the distinct advantage over traditional $\sim$1.4 GHz surveys as they are able to yield higher angular resolution imaging while probing higher rest frame frequencies of galaxies with increasing redshift, where emission of star-forming galaxies becomes dominated by thermal (free-free) radiation. In doing so, surveys carried out at $\gtrsim$10 GHz provide a robust, dust-unbiased measurement of the massive star formation rate by being highly sensitive to the number of ionizing photons that are produced. To access this powerful star formation rate diagnostic requires that Band~5 be available for SKA1-MID. We additionally present a detailed science case for frequency coverage extending up to 30 GHz during full SKA2 operations, as this allows for highly diverse science while additionally providing contiguous frequency coverage between the SKA and ALMA, which will likely be the two most powerful interferometers for the coming decades. To enable this synergy, it is crucial that the dish design of the SKA be flexible enough to include the possibility of being fit with receivers operating up to 30 GHz.

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arXiv2014

Studies of Anomalous Microwave Emission (AME) with the SKA

In this chapter, we will outline the scientific motivation for studying Anomalous Microwave Emission (AME) with the SKA. AME is thought to be due to electric dipole radiation from small spinning dust grains, although thermal fluctuations of magnetic dust grains may also contribute. Studies of this mysterious component would shed light on the emission mechanism, which then opens up a new window onto the interstellar medium (ISM). AME is emitted mostly in the frequency range $\sim 10$--100\,GHz, and thus the SKA has the potential of measuring the low frequency side of the AME spectrum, particularly in band 5. Science targets include dense molecular clouds in the Milky Way, as well as extragalactic sources. We also discuss the possibility of detecting rotational line emission from Poly-cyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), which could be the main carriers of AME. Detecting PAH lines of a given spacing would allow for a definitive identification of specific PAH species.

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arXiv2014

High-Resolution Radio Continuum Measurements of the Nuclear Disks of Arp 220

We present new Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array radio continuum images of the nuclei of Arp 220, the nearest ultra-luminous infrared galaxy. These images have both the angular resolution to study detailed morphologies of the two nuclei that power the system and sensitivity to a wide range of spatial scales. At 33 GHz, and with a resolution of 0".081 x 0".063 (29.9 x 23.3 pc), we resolve the emission surrounding both nuclei and conclude that is mostly synchrotron in nature. The spatial distributions of radio emission in both nuclei are well described by exponential profiles. These have deconvolved half-light radii of 51 and 35 pc for the eastern and western nuclei, and they match the number density profile of radio supernovae observed with very long baseline interferometry. This similarity might be due to the fast cooling of cosmic rays electrons caused by the presence of a strong (~ mG) magnetic field in this system. We estimate high luminosity surface densities of $\mathrm{Σ_{IR} \sim 4.2^{+1.6}_{-0.7} \times 10^{13}}$ (east) and $\mathrm{\sim 9.7^{+3.7}_{-2.4} \times 10^{13}~(west)~L_{\odot}~kpc^{-2}}$, and star formation rate surface densities of $\mathrm{Σ_{SFR} \sim 10^{3.7\pm0.1}}$ (east) and $\mathrm{\sim 10^{4.1\pm0.1}~(west)~M_{\odot}~yr^{-1}~kpc^{-2}}$. These values, especially for the western nucleus are, to our knowledge, the highest luminosity and star formation rate surface densities measured for any star-forming system. Despite these high values, the nuclei lie below the dusty Eddington limit in which radiation pressure is balanced only by self-gravity. The small measured sizes also imply that the nuclei of Arp 220 are only transparent in the frequency range ~ 5 to 350 GHz. Our results offer no clear evidence that an active galactic nucleus dominates the emission from either nucleus at 33 GHz.

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arXiv2014

The Interstellar Medium and Star Formation in Edge-On Galaxies. II. NGC 4157, 4565, and 5907

We present a study of the vertical structure of the gaseous and stellar disks in a sample of edge-on galaxies (NGC 4157, 4565, and 5907) using BIMA/CARMA 12CO (J = 1 --> 0), VLA H I, and Spitzer 3.6 micron data. In order to take into account projection effects when we measure the disk thickness as a function of radius, we first obtain the inclination by modeling the radio data. Using the measurement of the disk thicknesses and the derived radial profiles of gas and stars, we estimate the corresponding volume densities and vertical velocity dispersions. Both stellar and gas disks have smoothly varying scale heights and velocity dispersions, contrary to assumptions of previous studies. Using the velocity dispersions, we find that the gravitational instability parameter Q follows a fairly uniform profile with radius and is greater than or equal to 1 across the star forming disk. The star formation law has a slope that is significantly different from those found in more face-on galaxy studies, both in deprojected and pixel-by-pixel plots. Midplane gas pressure based on the varying scale heights and velocity dispersions appears to roughly hold a power-law correlation with the midplane volume density ratio.

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arXiv2014

Mid-Infrared Properties of Luminous Infrared Galaxies II: Probing the Dust and Gas Physics of the GOALS Sample

The Great Observatories All-Sky LIRG Survey (GOALS) is a comprehensive, multiwavelength study of luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs) in the local universe. Here we present the results of a multi-component, spectral decomposition analysis of the low resolution mid-IR Spitzer IRS spectra from 5-38um of 244 LIRG nuclei. The detailed fits and high quality spectra allow for characterization of the individual PAH features, warm molecular hydrogen emission, and optical depths for silicate dust grains and water ices. We find that starbursting LIRGs, which make up the majority of GOALS, are very consistent in their MIR properties (i.e. tau_9.7um, tau_ice, neon line and PAH feature ratios). However, as their PAH EQW decreases, usually an indicator of an increasingly dominant AGN, LIRGs cover a larger spread in these MIR parameters. The contribution from PAHs to the total L(IR) in LIRGs varies from 2-29% and LIRGs prior to their first encounter show higher L(PAH)/L(IR) ratios on average. We observe a correlation between the strength of the starburst (IR8) and the PAH fraction at 8um but not with the 7.7 to 11.3 PAH ratio, suggesting the fractional PDR emission, and not the overall grain properties, is associated with the rise in IR8 for galaxies off the starburst main sequence. We detect crystalline silicate features in 6% of the sample but only in the most obscured sources (s_9.7um < -1.24). Ice absorption features are observed in 11% (56%) of GOALS LIRGs (ULIRGs). Most GOALS LIRGs have L(H2)/L(PAH) ratios elevated above those observed for normal star-forming galaxies and exhibit a trend for increasing L(H2)/L(PAH) ratio with increasing L(H2). While star formation appears to be the dominant process responsible for exciting the H2 in most of the GOALS galaxies, a subset of LIRGs (10%) show excess H2 emission that is inconsistent with PDR models and may be excited by shocks or AGN-induced outflows.

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arXiv2014

The search for shock-excited H2 in Virgo spirals experiencing ram pressure stripping

We investigate the presence of shock-excited H2 in four Virgo cluster galaxies that show clear evidence of ongoing ram pressure stripping. Mid-infrared (MIR) spectral mapping of the rotational H2 emission lines were performed using the Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) on board the Spitzer space telescope. We target four regions along the leading side of galaxies where the intracluster medium (ICM) appears to be pushing back the individual galaxy's interstellar medium (ISM). For comparison purposes, we also study two regions on the trailing side of these galaxies, a region within an edge-on disk and an extraplanar star-forming region. We find a factor of 2.6 excess of warm H2/PAH in our sample relative to the observed fractions in other nearby galaxies. We attribute the H2/PAH excess to contributions of shock-excited H2 which is likely to have been triggered by ongoing ram pressure interaction in our sample galaxies. Ram pressure driven shocks may also be responsible for the elevated fractions of [FeII/NeII] found in our sample.

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arXiv2013

The Role of Merger Stage on Galaxy Radio Spectra in Local Infrared-Bright Starburst Galaxies

An investigation of the steep, high-frequency (i.e., ~12 GHz) radio spectra among a sample of 31 local infrared-bright starburst galaxies is carried out in light of their HST-based merger classifications. Radio data covering as many as 10 individual bands allows for spectral indices to be measured over three frequency bins between 0.15-32.5 GHz. Sources having the flattest spectral indices measured at ~2 and 4 GHz, arising from large free-free optical depths among the densest starbursts, appear to be in ongoing through post-stage mergers. The spectral indices measured at higher frequencies (i.e., ~12 GHz) are steepest for sources associated with ongoing mergers in which their nuclei are distinct, but either share a common stellar envelope and/or exhibit tidal tails. These results hold after excluding potential AGN based on their low 6.2um PAH EQWs. Consequently, the low-, mid-, and high-frequency spectral indices each appear to be sensitive to the exact merger stage. It is additionally shown that ongoing mergers, whose progenitors are still separated and share a common envelope and/or exhibit tidal tails, also exhibit excess radio emission relative to what is expected given the far-infrared/radio correlation, suggesting that there may be a significant amount of radio emission that is not associated with ongoing star formation. The combination of these observations, along with high-resolution radio morphologies, leads to a picture in which the steep high-frequency radio spectral indices and excess radio emission arises from radio continuum bridges and tidal tails that are not associated with star formation, similar to what is observed for so-called "taffy" galaxies. This scenario may also explain the seemingly low far-infrared/radio ratios measured for many high-z submillimeter galaxies, a number of which are merger-driven starbursts.

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arXiv2013

Star Formation Rates in Resolved Galaxies: Calibrations with Near and Far Infrared Data for NGC5055 and NGC6946

We use the near--infrared Brγhydrogen recombination line as a reference star formation rate (SFR) indicator to test the validity and establish the calibration of the {\it Herschel} PACS 70 μm emission as a SFR tracer for sub--galactic regions in external galaxies. Brγoffers the double advantage of directly tracing ionizing photons and of being relatively insensitive to the effects of dust attenuation. For our first experiment, we use archival CFHT Brγand Ks images of two nearby galaxies: NGC\,5055 and NGC\,6946, which are also part of the {\it Herschel} program KINGFISH (Key Insights on Nearby Galaxies: a Far-Infrared Survey with Herschel). We use the extinction corrected Brγemission to derive the SFR(70) calibration for H{\sc ii} regions in these two galaxies. A comparison of the SFR(70) calibrations at different spatial scales, from 200 pc to the size of the whole galaxy, reveals that about 50% of the total 70μm emission is due to dust heated by stellar populations that are unrelated to the current star formation. We use a simple model to qualitatively relate the increase of the SFR(70) calibration coefficient with decreasing region size to the star formation timescale. We provide a calibration for an unbiased SFR indicator that combines the observed Hαwith the 70 μm emission, also for use in H{\sc ii} regions. We briefly analyze the PACS 100 and 160 μm maps and find that longer wavelengths are not as good SFR indicators as 70μm, in agreement with previous results. We find that the calibrations show about 50% difference between the two galaxies, possibly due to effects of inclination.

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arXiv2011

The Emission by Dust and Stars of Nearby Galaxies in the Herschel KINGFISH Survey

Using new far-infrared imaging from the Herschel Space Observatory with ancillary data from ultraviolet to submillimeter wavelengths, we estimate the total emission from dust and stars of 62 nearby galaxies in the KINGFISH survey in a way that is as empirical and model-independent as possible. We collect and exploit these data in order to measure from the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) precisely how much stellar radiation is intercepted and re-radiated by dust, and how this quantity varies with galaxy properties. By including SPIRE data, we are more sensitive to emission from cold dust grains than previous analyses at shorter wavelengths, allowing for more accurate estimates of dust temperatures and masses. The dust/stellar flux ratio, which we measure by integrating the SEDs, has a range of nearly three decades. The inclusion of SPIRE data shows that estimates based on data not reaching these far-IR wavelengths are biased low. We find that the dust/stellar flux ratio varies with morphology and total IR luminosity. We also find that dust/stellar flux ratios are related to gas-phase metallicity, while the dust/stellar mass ratios are less so. The substantial scatter between dust/stellar flux and dust/stellar mass indicates that the former is a poor proxy of the latter. Comparing the dust/stellar flux ratios and dust temperatures, we show that early-types tend to have slightly warmer temperatures than spiral galaxies, which may be due to more intense interstellar radiation fields, or to different dust grain compositions. Finally, we show that early-types and early-type spirals have a strong correlation between the dust/stellar flux ratio and specific star formation rate, which suggests that the relatively bright far-IR emission of some of these galaxies is due to ongoing star formation and the radiation field from older stars.

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arXiv2011

Dust grain growth in the interstellar medium of galaxies at redshifts 4<z<6.5

To discriminate between different dust formation processes is a key issue in order to understand its properties. We analysed six submillimeter galaxies at redshifts 4<z<5 and nine quasars at 5<z<6.4. We estimated their dust masses from their (sub)millimeter emission and their stellar masses from the spectral energy distribution modelling or from the dynamical and gas masses obtained from the CO line detections. We calculated the dust yields per AGB star and per SN required to explain these dust masses and concluded that AGB stars are not efficient enough to form dust in the majority of these galaxies. SN could be responsible for dust production, but only if dust destruction in the SN shocks is not taken into account. Otherwise even SNe are not efficient enough, which advocates for some other dust production mechanism. We present the hypothesis that grain growth in the interstellar medium is responsible for bulk of the dust mass accumulation in these galaxies.

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arXiv2010

Identifying Variations to the IMF at High-$z$ Through Deep Radio Surveys

In this article I briefly describe how deep radio surveys may provide a means to identify variations in the upper end of the initial mass function (IMF) in star-forming galaxies at high redshifts (i.e., $z\gtrsim$3). At such high redshifts, I argue that deep radio continuum observations at frequencies $\gtrsim$10 GHz using next generation facilities (e.g., EVLA, MeerKAT, SKA/NAA) will likely provide the most accurate measurements for the ionizing photon rates (star formation rates; SFRs) of normal galaxies since their non-thermal emission should be highly suppressed due to the increased inverse Compton (IC) losses from the cosmic microwave background (CMB), leaving only thermal (free-free) emission detectable. Thus, a careful analysis of such observations in combination with future ALMA and JWST data, measuring the rest-frame far-infrared and UV emission from the same population of galaxies, may yield the best means to search for variability in the stellar IMF at such epochs.

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arXiv2010

Dust grain growth in the interstellar medium of 5<z<6.5 quasars

We investigate whether stellar dust sources i.e. asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars and supernovae (SNe) can account for dust detected in 5 5 QSOs, whereas SNe may be able to account for dust in some QSOs. However, they require very high dust yields even for a top-heavy initial mass function. This suggests additional non-stellar dust formation mechanism e.g. significant dust grain growth in the interstellar medium of at least three out of nine z>5 QSOs. SNe (but not AGB stars) may deliver enough heavy elements to fuel this growth.

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arXiv2009

The Far-Infrared Radio Correlation at High-z: Prospects for the SKA

In this conference proceedings article I summarize the recent work of Murphy (2009) which presents physically motivated predictions for the evolution of the Far-Infrared--radio correlation as a function of redshift arising from variations in the cosmic-ray (CR) electron cooling time-scales as Inverse Compton (IC) scattering off of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) becomes increasingly important. Since the non-thermal component of a galaxy's radio continuum is increasingly suppressed with redshift, radio continuum measurements at moderately high frequency ($\sim$10 GHz) become one of the cleanest ways to quantify the star formation activity of galaxies at high redshifts unbiased by dust. Given the focus of the conference, extra emphasis placed on what this may mean for deep radio continuum surveys using next generation radio facilities such as the Square Kilometer Array (SKA).

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arXiv2009

The Far-Infrared--Radio Correlation at High Redshifts: Physical Considerations and Prospects for the Square Kilometer Array

(Abridged) I present a predictive analysis for the behavior of the FIR--radio correlation as a function of redshift in light of the deep radio continuum surveys which may become possible using the SKA. To keep a fixed ratio between the FIR and predominantly non-thermal radio continuum emission of a normal star-forming galaxy requires a nearly constant ratio between galaxy magnetic field and radiation field energy densities. While the additional term of IC losses off of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) is negligible in the local Universe, the rapid increase in the strength of the CMB energy density (i.e. $\sim(1+z)^{4})$ suggests that evolution in the FIR-radio correlation should occur with infrared (IR; $8-1000 \micron$)/radio ratios increasing with redshift. At present, observations do not show such a trend with redshift; $z\sim6$ radio-quiet QSOs appear to lie on the local FIR-radio correlation while a sample of $z\sim4.4$ and $z\sim2.2$ SMGs exhibit ratios that are a factor of $\sim$2.5 {\it below} the canonical value. I also derive a 5$σ$ point-source sensitivity goal of $\approx$20 nJy (i.e. $σ_{\rm RMS} \sim 4$ nJy) requiring that the SKA specified be $A_{\rm eff}/T_{\rm sys}\approx 15000$ m$^{2}$ K$^{-1}$; achieving this sensitivity should enable the detection of galaxies forming stars at a rate of $\ga25 M_{\sun} {\rm yr}^{-1}$, at all redshifts if present. By taking advantage of the fact that the non-thermal component of a galaxy's radio continuum emission will be quickly suppressed by IC losses off of the CMB, leaving only the thermal (free-free) component, I argue that deep radio continuum surveys at frequencies $\ga$10 GHz may prove to be the best probe for characterizing the high-$z$ star formation history of the Universe unbiased by dust.

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arXiv2008

Spitzer Observations of Environmental Effects on Virgo Cluster Galaxies

We present the initial results from SPITSOV, the Spitzer Survey of Virgo, which includes MIPS and IRAC observations for a carefully selected sample of 44 Virgo cluster spiral and peculiar galaxies. SPITSOV is part of a multiwavelength campaign to understand the effects of the cluster environment on galaxy evolution. These Virgo galaxies are different from galaxies outside of clusters, since most of them have been significantly modified by their environment. The SPITSOV data can serve the community as the Spitzer sample of nearby cluster spiral galaxies, a complement to the SINGS data for nearby non-cluster galaxies. In this paper we describe the sample, the goals of the study, and present preliminary results in 3 areas: 1) Evidence for ram pressure-induced disturbances in radio morphologies based on changes in the FIR-radio (70um-20cm) correlation; 2) Evidence for ram-pressure stripped extraplanar gas tails from comparisons of dust/PAH (8um) emission and optical dust extinction; 3) Evidence for unobscured star-forming regions with large ratios of H-alpha to 24um emission in some galaxies due to ram pressure stripping of dust.

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