arXiv subjects

Maarten Schmidt

Publications and source records attributed to Maarten Schmidt.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2009

Gamma-Ray Burst Luminosity Functions Based On a Newly Discovered Correlation Between Peak Spectral Energy and V/V_max

We have discovered a correlation between the observed peak spectral energy E_pk,obs and the average Euclidean value of V/V_max of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). We present the evidence for the correlation in the GUSBAD catalog and use it to derive the luminosity function of GRBs without using any redshifts. The procedure involves dividing GUSBAD GRBs in five spectral classes based on their E_pk,obs. The overall luminosity function is derived assuming that each of the spectral classes contributes a gaussian luminosity function. Their central luminosity is derived from the average observed Euclidean V/V_max. We explore various forms for the GRB rate function GR(z) in predicting redshift distributions of GRBs detected by Swift. We find that GR(z) peaks at a higher redshift than the typical star formation history currently favored in the literature. We consider two examples of GR(z) that successfully predict the observed redshift distribution of Swift GRBs. With the luminosity functions in hand, we convert the E_pk,obs-V/V_max correlation into an E_pk,obs-L_iso correlation and a rest frame E_pk-L_iso correlation. In comparing the E_pk-L_iso correlation with a published correlation based on GRBs with known E_pk,obs and redshifts, we discuss the effect of Malmquist bias.

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arXiv2005

Are Durations of Weak Gamma-Ray Bursts Reliable?

Simulations in the GUSBAD Catalog of gamma-ray bursts suggest that the apparent duration of a burst decreases as its amplitude is decreased. We see no evidence for this effect in the BATSE catalog. We show that for a burst at the detection limit, the typical signal-to-noise ratio at the edges of the T90 duration is around 1.5, suggesting that T90 must be quite uncertain. The situation for T50 is less unfavorable. Simulations using the exact procedure to derive the durations in the BATSE catalog would be useful in quantifying the effect.

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arXiv2005

The SDSS View of the Palomar-Green Bright Quasar Survey

We investigate the extent to which the Palomar-Green (PG) Bright Quasar Survey (BQS) is complete and representative of the general quasar population by comparing with imaging and spectroscopy from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. A comparison of SDSS and PG photometry of both stars and quasars reveals the need to apply a color and magnitude recalibration to the PG data. Using the SDSS photometric catalog, we define the PG's parent sample of objects that are not main-sequence stars and simulate the selection of objects from this parent sample using the PG photometric criteria and errors. This simulation shows that the effective U-B cut in the PG survey is U-B < -0.71 (rather than the intended U-B < -0.44), implying a color-related incompleteness. As the color distribution of bright quasars peaks near U-B=-0.7 and the 2-sigma error in U-B is comparable to the full width of the color distribution of quasars, the color incompleteness of the BQS is approximately 50% and essentially random with respect to U-B color for z<0.5. There is, however, a bias against bright quasars at 0.5 < z < 1, which is induced by the color-redshift relation of quasars (although quasars at z>0.5 are inherently rare in bright surveys in any case). We find no evidence for any other systematic incompleteness when comparing the distributions in color, redshift, and FIRST radio properties of the BQS and a BQS-like subsample of the SDSS quasar sample. However, the application of a bright magnitude limit biases the BQS toward the inclusion of objects which are blue in g-i, in particular compared to the full range of g-i colors found among the i-band limited SDSS quasars, and even at i-band magnitudes comparable to those of the BQS objects.

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arXiv2004

The GUSBAD Catalog of Gamma-Ray Bursts

The GUSBAD catalog of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) is based on archival BATSE DISCLA data covering the full 9.1 years of the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory mission. The catalog contains 2204 GRBs, including 589 bursts not listed in the Current BATSE Burst Catalog. The GUSBAD catalog is uniform in the sense that the detection criteria are the same throughout and that the properties given in the catalog are available for every burst. The detection and the derivation of the properties of the GRBs were carried out automatically. This makes the GUSBAD catalog especially suitable for statistical work and simulations, such as used in the derivation of V/Vmax. We briefly touch upon a potential problem in defining a GRB duration that is physically meaningful.

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arXiv2003

Gamma-Ray Burst Luminosity Functions Based on Luminosity Criteria

We review five studies of the gamma-ray burst (GRB) luminosity function that are based on one or more of the proposed luminosity criteria, i.e., variability, spectral lag and spectral hardness. A comparison between the resulting luminosity functions at redshift zero shows considerable divergence. We derive for each of the luminosity functions the expected source counts and the Euclidean value of . The source counts exhibit large differences from the observed counts. In most cases the value of differs substantially from the observed value of 0.34 for BATSE-based samples, with offsets ranging from 6-24 sigmas. Given that the value of is well established and that it is a cosmological distance indicator, we recommend that any study of the GRB luminosity function take its value into account.

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arXiv2001

Luminosities and Space Densities of Short Gamma-Ray Bursts

Using the Euclidean value of as a cosmological distance indicator, we derive the isotropic-equivalent characteristic peak luminosity of gamma-ray bursts both longer and shorter than 2 s. The short bursts have essentially the same characteristic peak luminosity of 0.6 x 10^51 erg (0.064s)^-1 as do the long bursts. This may apply also to bursts with durations less than 0.25 s. The local space density of short bursts is around three times lower than that of long bursts.

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arXiv2001

Soft X-ray AGN Luminosity Function from ROSAT Surveys II. Table of the binned Soft X-ray Luminosity Function

This is the second paper of our investigation of the 0.5-2 keV soft X-ray luminosity function (SXLF) of active galactic nuclei (AGN) using results from ROSAT surveys of various depth. The large dynamic range of the combined sample, from shallow large-area ROSAT All-Sky Survey (RASS)-based samples to the satellite's deepest pointed observation on the Lockman Hole, enabled us to trace the behavior of the SXLF. While the first paper (Miyaji, Hasinger, Schmidt 2000, hereafter paper I) emphasized the global behavior of the SXLF, cosmological evolution and contribution to the soft X-ray background, this paper presents actual numerical values for practical use of our results. To present the binned SXLF, we have used an improved estimator, which is free from biases associated with the conventional 1/Va estimator.

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arXiv2001

Luminosity Function of Gamma-Ray Bursts Derived Without Benefit of Redshifts

We show that the Euclidean value of for gamma-ray bursts (GRB) selected on a timescale of 1024 ms is correlated with spectral hardness. The value of ranges from 0.42 for soft bursts to 0.26 for the hardest bursts. Given that the Euclidean value of for cosmological objects in a well defined sample is a distance indicator, the hard bursts must reside at larger redshifts and therefore be more luminous than the soft bursts. The resulting luminosity-hardness correlation cannot be shown explicitly due to the small number of observed GRB redshifts at the present time. Based on the -hardness correlation, we derive the luminosity function of GRBs without using any redshifts, but we have to make an assumption how the comoving GRB rate varies with redshift. We present luminosity functions for three models of the GRB rate as a function of redshift, based on star formation rates. The peak luminosity functions are approximately broken power laws with an isotropic-equivalent break luminosity of around 10^51.5 erg s^-1 in the 50-300 keV range and total local rate densities of 0.5 Gpc^-3 y^-1. Predicted GRB counts as a function of flux and redshift are presented. Based on the GRB luminosity function, we carry out a simulation to produce the luminosity-hardness correlation, which shows that the hardest GRBs are about 20 times more luminous than the softest ones.

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arXiv2000

Derivation of a Sample of Gamma-Ray Bursts from BATSE DISCLA Data

We have searched for gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) in the BATSE DISCLA data over a time period of 5.9 years. We employ a trigger requiring an excess of at least 5 sigma over background for at least two modules in the 50-300 keV range. After excluding certain geographic locations of the satellite, we are left with 4485 triggers. Based on sky positions, we exclude triggers close to the sun, to Cyg X-1, to Nova Persei 1992 and the repeater SGR 1806-20, while these sources were active. We accept 1013 triggers that correspond to GRBs in the BATSE catalog, and after visual inspection of the time profiles classify 378 triggers as cosmic GRBs. We denote the 1391 GRBs so selected as the "BD2 sample". The BD2 sample effectively represents 2.003 years of full sky coverage for a rate of 694 GRBs per year. Euclidean V/Vmax values have been derived through simulations in which each GRB is removed in distance until the detection algorithm does not produce a trigger. The BD2 sample produces a mean value = 0.334 +- 0.008.

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arXiv2000

Luminosities, Space Densities and Redshift Distributions of Gamma-Ray Bursts

We use the BD2 sample of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) based on 5.9 years of BATSE DISCLA data with a variety of models of the luminosity function to derive characteristic GRB luminosities, space densities and redshift distributions. Previously published results for an open universe and modest density evolution of the GRBs showed characteristic peak luminosities around 5x10**51 erg/s in the 50-300 keV band if the emission is isotropic, and local space densities around 0.2 Gpc**-3 yr**-1. In this paper, we illustrate for several luminosity function models the predicted distributions of peak flux, luminosity and redshifts. We use the luminosity function models also to address the connection between supernovae and GRB. If all supernovae of Type Ib/c harbor a GRB, the beaming fraction would have to be 10**-5 - 10**-3.5. We find that GRB 980425, if correctly identified with SN 1998bw, has to be part of a population different from that of the bulk of GRBs.

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arXiv1999

Soft X-ray AGN Luminosity Function from ROSAT Surveys I. Cosmological Evolution and Contribution to the Soft X-ray Background

We investigate the evolution of the 0.5-2 keV soft X-ray luminosity function (SXLF) of active galactic nuclei (AGN) using results from ROSAT surveys of various depth, ranging from shallow large-area ROSAT All-Sky Survey -based samples to the deepest pointed observation on the Lockman Hole. As previously found, the SXLF evolves rapidly as a function of redshift up to z\sim 1.5 and is consistent with remaining constant beyond this redshift. We found that a form of the Luminosity-Dependent Density Evolution (LDDE) gives an excellent fit to the data. Extrapolating one form of the LDDE model (LDDE1) explains \approx 60% of the estimated soft extragalactic Cosmic X-ray Background (CXRB). We have also found another representation (LDDE2), which produces \approx 90% of the CXRB and still gives an excellent fit to the sample AGNs. These two versions of the LDDE models can be considered two extremes of the possible extrapolations of the SXLF below the flux limit. We have also investigated the evolution of the number density of luminous QSOs. Unlike these QSOs, the ROSAT-selected QSOs do not show evidence for the decrease of the number density in z>3. The statistical significance of the difference is, however, marginal.

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arXiv1999

Luminosities and Space Densities of Gamma-Ray Bursts

We use a homogeneous sample of gamma-ray bursts (GRB) extracted from 5.9 years of BATSE DISCLA data (astro-ph/9908190) and a variety of broken power-law luminosity functions to derive GRB luminosities and space densities. Luminosity functions that are narrow or exhibit no density evolution produce expected redshift distributions that are incompatible with the observation of a GRB redshift of 3.4. For q_o=0.1 and density evolution rising to 10 at z=1, we find for a variety of slopes of the luminosity function values of the local space density around 0.18 Gpc^{-3} y^{-1} with a range of only 40%. Characteristic 50--300 keV peak luminosities exhibit a range of a factor of 6 around 6e51 erg/s corresponding to a characteristic total luminosity of 1.2e53 erg in the 10--1000 keV band. For q_o=0.5, densities are higher and luminosities lower, both by a factor of 2.5. The local emissivity of GRBs is 1.0e52 erg Gpc^{-3} y^{-1} in the 10--1000 keV band.

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arXiv1999

An Unusual Mini-BAL Quasar at z=4.59

The z=4.591 quasar PC 1415+3408 exhibits very strong associated metal-line absorption from the N V (1238,1242), Si IV (1393,1402), and C IV (1548,1550) doublets spanning the velocity interval -1700 < v < 0 km/s. Also present, are detached absorption troughs in N V and C IV spanning -5000 < v < -3000 km/s; this is characteristic of broad absorption line (BAL) quasars, but the small overall velocity spread suggests that PC 1415+3408 be classified as a Mini-BAL quasar. The N V doublet is consistent with black saturation over the velocity interval -1200 to -500 km/s; black N V absorption is extraordinary in all classes of quasars at all redshifts. Over this velocity interval, the C IV doublet is severely blended, but also consistent with black saturation. The material over this range of velocity appears to fully occult the continuum source, the broad emission line region, and any material that could give rise to scattered light. In view of a unified scenario for BAL and Mini-BAL absorption, these facts imply that the quasar is being viewed along a preferred direction. On the other hand, the black Mini-BALs in PC 1415+3408 could be explained if the BAL flow has an unusual geometry compared to the population of BAL quasars, and/or the spatial extent of a scattering region is small at the lower velocities (-1700 < v < 0 km/s).

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arXiv1997

The ROSAT Deep Survey I. X-ray sources in the Lockman Field

The ROSAT Deep Survey in the Lockman Hole is the most sensitive X-ray survey performed to date, encompassing an exposure time of 207 ksec with the PSPC and a total of 1.32 Msec with the HRI aboard ROSAT. Here we present the complete catalogue of 50 X-ray sources with PSPC fluxes (0.5--2 keV) above $ 5.5 \times 10^{-15} erg cm^{-2} s^{-1}$. The optical identifications are discussed in an accompanying paper (Schmidt et al., 1997). We also derive a new log(N)--log(S) function reaching a source density of $970 \pm 150 deg^{-2}$ at a limiting flux of $10^{-15} erg cm^{-2} s^{-1}$. At this level 70-80% of the 0.5--2 keV X-ray background is resolved into discrete sources. Utilizing extensive simulations of artificial PSPC and HRI fields we discuss in detail the effects of source confusion and incompleteness both on source counts and on optical identifications. Based on these simulations we set conservative limits on flux and on off-axis angles, which guarantee a high reliability of the catalogue. We also present simulations of shallower fields and show that surveys, which are based on PSPC exposures longer than 50 ksec, become severely confusion limited typically a factor of 2 above their $4σ$ detection threshold. This has consequences for recent claims of a possible new source population emerging at the faintest X-ray fluxes. Keywords: surveys -- cosmology: diffuse radiations -- X-rays: galaxies

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arXiv1997

The ROSAT Deep Survey II. Optical identification, photomettry and spectra of sources in the Lockman field

The ROSAT Deep Survey includes a complete sample of 50 X-ray sources with fluxes in the $0.5 - 2$ keV band larger than 5.5 $10^{-15}$ erg cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ in the Lockman field (Hasinger et al., Paper I). We have obtained deep broad-band CCD images of the field and spectra of many optical objects near the positions of the X-ray sources. We define systematically the process leading to the optical identifications of the X-ray sources. For this purpose, we introduce five identification (ID) classes that characterize the process in each case. Among the 50 X-ray sources, we identify 39 AGNs, 3 groups of galaxies, 1 galaxy and 3 galactic stars. Four X-ray sources remain unidentified so far; two of these objects may have an unusually large ratio of X-ray to optical flux. Keywords: surveys -- galaxies: active -- quasars: emission lines -- galaxies: Seyfert -- X-rays: galaxies

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arXiv1997

A Study of Quasar Clustering at z>2.7 from the Palomar Transit Grism Survey

The quest for structure indicators at earlier and earlier times in the evolution of the universe has led to the search for objects with ever higher redshifts. The Palomar Transit Grism Survey has produced a large sample of high redshift quasars ($z>2.7$), allowing statistical analysis of correlation between quasar positions. In this study, clustering is identified through comparison with $100 000$ Monte Carlo generated, randomly populated volumes, which are identical to the observed region in spatial coordinates, redshift distribution, and number of quasars. Three pairs have been observed with comoving separations of 11.34, 12.97, and 24.13 h_{50}^{-1}Mpc (assuming $q_0=0.5$), smaller separations than would be expected to arise by chance in an unclustered distribution. Selection effects are ruled out as a false source of clustering by scrambling the observed quasar coordinates and redshifts, which gives a pair separation distribution nearly identical to that of the Monte Carlo distribution. Tests using the distribution of pair separations and nearest neighbor distances show that the observed pairs have a probability less than 0.1% of arising in an unclustered distribution. Using a maximum likelihood technique to estimate the correlation length $r_0$, assuming $ξ(r) = (r/r_0)^{-1.8}$, we find $r_0 = 35\pm15 h_{50}^{-1}Mpc$ (comoving, $q_0=0.5$, 1$σ$ errors), a value much larger than the correlation length of present-day galaxies.

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