arXiv subjects

Masatoshi Imanishi

Publications and source records attributed to Masatoshi Imanishi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2025

GATOS. VIII. On the physical origin of the extended MIR emission in AGN

The polar mid-infrared (MIR) emission detected within 10-100s pcs in some active galactic nuclei (AGN) has been associated with dusty winds driven away by radiation pressure. The physical characterization of this extended polar emission remains uncertain. Here we combine 10-21 $μ$m JWST/MIRI imaging observations with 7-25 $μ$m JWST/MRS integral field spectroscopic observations of 6 nearby, $\bar{D}=35.4\pm4.6$ Mpc, AGN from the GATOS Survey to quantify the nature of the extended MIR emission at ~75 pc resolution at 21 $μ$m. These AGN have similar bolometric luminosities, $\log_{10}(\bar{L}_{bol}\,[erg\,s^{-1}])=44.0\pm0.3$, span a wide range of optical outflow rates, $\dot{M}=0.003-0.21$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$, column densities, $\log_{10}(N_{H}^{X-ray}[cm^{-2}])=22.2-24.3$, and Eddington ratios, $λ_{Edd}=0.005-0.06$. We cross-correlate the line-only and continuum-only images and find a poor correlation, which indicates that the extended MIR continuum emission is spatially uncorrelated with the warm outflows associated with narrow emission lines within 10-15 $μ$m. Line emission is resolved along the jet axis, while dust emission is perpendicular to it. The 75-450 pc continuum emission has a fairly constant dust temperature, $T_{d}=132^{+7}_{-7}$ K, and mass, $M_{d}=728^{+29}_{-27}$ M$_{\odot}$. Using the conditions of energy balance between radiation-pressure and gravity ($λ_{Edd}$ vs. N$_{H}$), we find that our AGN sample is in the gravitationally bounded regime consistent with no detection of dusty winds. At 10 $μ$m, the level of extended line emission contribution is correlated with the outflow kinetic energy and mass outflow rates. We find no correlation with the AGN properties. These results indicate that the radio jet may be triggering the gas outflow and line emission, while the extended dust emission is distributed in molecular clouds and/or shocked regions.

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arXiv2025

Subaru High-z Exploration of Low-Luminosity Quasars (SHELLQs). XXIV. 54 New Quasars and Candidate Obscured Quasars at $5.71 \le z \le 7.02$

We present spectroscopic identification of 43 quasars and 11 candidate obscured quasars in the epoch of reionization (EoR) at $5.71 \le z \le 7.02$, along with 29 galaxies at similar redshifts. This is the 24th publication from the Subaru High-$z$ Exploration of Low-Luminosity Quasars (SHELLQs) project, which exploits the Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) Subaru Strategic Program (SSP) imaging survey to search for EoR quasars. The HSC-SSP survey has completed, and this paper is likely the final installment of major (unobscured) quasar discoveries from the SHELLQs project. In addition to the EoR objects, we identified five strong [O III] line emitters at $z < 1$, 30 Galactic brown dwarfs, and 14 passive galaxies at $z \sim 2$, which contaminated our sample of photometric quasar candidates. The present paper focuses on describing the immediate outcome of the spectroscopic observations, while a statistical analysis of the full SHELLQs sample will be presented in our next publication.

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arXiv2025

Resolving Emission from Small Dust Grains in the Blue Compact Dwarf II Zw 40 with JWST

We present James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) and Mid-infrared Instrument (MIRI) integral-field spectroscopy of the nearby blue compact dwarf II Zw 40, which has a low metallicity of 25% of solar. Leveraging the high spatial/spectral resolution and wavelength coverage of JWST/NIRSpec, we present robust detections of the 3.3 um polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission on 20 pc scales. The strength of the Pf delta emission relative to the 3.3 PAH feature is significantly stronger than typical higher metallicity star-forming galaxies. We find that 3.3 um PAH emission is concentrated near the northern super star cluster and is co-spatial with CO gas. A strong correlation exists between the 3.3/11.3 PAH ratio and radiation hardness probed by NeIII/NeII, providing evidence of photodestruction of PAH molecules in intense radiation environments. Our analysis shows that while the overall PAH fraction is lower in II Zw 40 than in higher metallicity galaxies, the contribution of the 3.3 um PAH feature to the total PAH emission is higher. We propose that the PAH size distribution is fundamentally shaped by two competing mechanisms in low-metallicity environments: photo-destruction and inhibited growth. Additionally, the high radiation field intensity in II Zw 40 suggests that multi-photon heating of PAHs may be an important effect. As one of the first spatially resolved studies of aromatic emission in a low-metallicity environment, our spectroscopic results offer practical guidance for future observations of the 3.3 um PAH feature in low-metallicity galaxies using JWST.

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arXiv2025

Revisiting the supermassive black hole mass of NGC 7052 using high spatial resolution molecular gas observed with ALMA

We present our dynamical mass constraints on the central supermassive black hole (SMBH) in the early-type galaxy NGC 7052 using high spatial-resolution observations of $^{12}$CO(2-1) emission from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The data were obtained during ALMA Cycle 7 and have a synthesized beam size of 0''.29 $\times$ 0''.22 (97 $\times$ 73 pc$^2$). The dynamical model yielded an SMBH mass of $\approx (2.50 \pm 0.37 \, [{\rm statistical}] \pm 0.8 \, [{\rm systematic}]) \times 10^9$ M$_{\odot}$ and a stellar-$I$ band mass-to-light ratio of $\approx 4.08 \pm 0.23\, [{\rm statistical}] \pm 0.4 \, [{\rm systematic}]$ M$_{\odot}$/L$_{\odot}$ ($3σ$ confidence intervals). Although our new ALMA observation has three times lower spatial resolution than previous ALMA data, it still resolves the SMBH's sphere of influence with a spatial resolution that is 1.5 times smaller than this sphere radius. While our $M_{\rm BH}$ estimate is fully consistent with the previous determination, the $I$-band mass-to-light ratio is lower by 10%. This difference arises from our improved galaxy mass model, which incorporates both the molecular gas distribution and the extended stellar mass in the outer regions of the galaxy, components that were previously neglected.

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arXiv2025

A High Incidence of Mid-infrared Variability in Local Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies

We explore mid-infrared (MIR) variability in local ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs; infrared luminsoity $L_{\rm IR}>10^{12}\ L_\odot$) utilizing the $\sim$11 years of photometry from the NEOWISE multi-epoch catalog of {\it Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer} ({\it WISE}). We identify 30 variable ULIRGs with statistically significant MIR variability. The variability is observed on timescales of a few years, implying that the MIR-emitting regions are compact ($\lesssim 1$ pc). The difference between maximum and minimum $W2$ (4.6 ${\rm μ}$m) band luminosity ($ΔL_{\rm W2}$) of the 30 variable ULIRGs range from $ΔL_{W2}$ = $7\times10^{42}$ to $5\times 10^{44}$ erg s$^{-1}$. The $ΔL_{W2}$ of 25 variable ULIRGs out of 30 are greater than $ΔL_{W2}$ = $1\times10^{43}$ erg s$^{-1}$, surpassing the MIR luminosity {range} observed in known supernovae (SNe; $L_{\rm 3.6\ {\rm μm}}$ and $L_{\rm 4.5\ {\rm μm}}$ < 10$^{42.3}$ erg s$^{-1}$). Therefore, the MIR variabilities in these 25 ULIRGs are most likely driven by tidal disruption events (TDEs) or intrinsic changes in their active galactic nuclei (AGN) torus emission. Our sample includes hard X-ray detected AGNs (e.g., UGC 05101) and previously reported TDE candidates (IRAS F01004-2237, IRAS 05189-2524). All 25 also exhibit at least one AGN signature(s) besides the MIR variability, suggesting that even if the MIR variability originates from TDEs, the black holes responsible are likely AGNs. Our results suggest that MIR variability is an effective tool for detecting buried AGNs and highlights the intense nuclear activity in ULIRGs.

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arXiv2025

Merger fraction in galaxy groups and clusters at z < 0.2: A non-parametric morphological study with Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam

We investigate the environmental dependence of galaxy mergers using high-resolution imaging data from the Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) Subaru Strategic Program. We focus on galaxy groups and clusters at $z < 0.2$ identified by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey as a laboratory of galaxy environment. We develop a new non-parametric classification scheme that combines the Gini-$M_{20}$ statistics with the shape asymmetry parameter, enabling robust identification of mergers with both central concentration and outer morphological disturbances. Applying this method to a sample of 33,320 galaxies at $0.075 \leq z < 0.2$ taken by the HSC, we identify 12,666 mergers, corresponding to a merger fraction of 38%. Our results are consistent with visual classifications from the GALAXY CRUISE project, validating the effectiveness of our method. We find that the merger fraction increases with redshift for all subsamples (field galaxies, galaxy pairs, and cluster members), and also shows a strong radial gradient within clusters, increasing toward the center. These trends suggest that merger activity is enhanced both at earlier cosmic times and in denser environments, particularly in galaxy groups. We also find tentative evidence that mergers may contribute to AGN triggering in cluster cores. Our study highlights the utility of combining non-parametric morphological diagnostics for large-scale merger identification and provides new insights into the role of environment in galaxy evolution.

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arXiv2025

Theoretical Diagnostics for the Physical Conditions in Active Galactic Nuclei under the View of JWST

With excellent spectral and angular resolutions and, especially, sensitivity, the JWST allows us to observe infrared emission lines that were previously inaccessible or barely accessible. These emission lines are promising for evaluating the physical conditions in different galaxies. Based on {\sc MAPPINGS V} photoionization models, we systematically analyze the dependence of over 20 mid-infrared (mid-IR) emission lines covered by the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) onboard JWST on the physical conditions of different galactic environments, in particular narrow line regions (NLRs) in active galactic nuclei (AGN). We find that mid-IR emission lines of highly ionized argon (i.e., [Ar~{\small V}]7.90,13.10) and neon (i.e., [Ne~{\small V}]14.32,24.32, [Ne~{\small VI}]7.65) are effective in diagnosing the physical conditions in AGN. We accordingly propose new prescriptions to constrain the ionization parameter ($U$), peak energy of the AGN spectrum ($E_{\rm peak}$), metallicity ($\rm 12+log (O/H)$), and gas pressure ($P/k$) in AGN. These new calibrations are applied to the central regions of six Seyfert galaxies included in the Galaxy Activity, Torus, and Outflow Survey (GATOS) as a proof of concept. We also discuss the similarity and difference in the calibrations of these diagnostics in AGN of different luminosities, highlighting the impact of hard X-ray emission and particularly radiative shocks, as well as the different diagnostics in star-forming regions. Finally, we propose diagnostic diagrams involving [Ar~{\small V}]7.90 and [Ne~{\small VI}]7.65 to demonstrate the feasibility of using the results of this study to distinguish galactic regions governed by different excitation sources.

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arXiv2025

A Post-Starburst Pathway for the Formation of Massive Galaxies and Black Holes at z>6

Understanding the rapid formation of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in the early universe requires insight into stellar mass growth in host galaxies. Here, we present NIRSpec rest-frame optical spectra and NIRCam imaging from JWST of two galaxies at z>6, both hosting moderate-luminosity quasars. These galaxies exhibit Balmer absorption lines, similar to low-redshift post-starburst galaxies. Our analyses of the medium-resolution spectra and multiband photometry show bulk of the stellar mass (log (M_* / M_sun) > 10.6) formed in starburst episodes at redshift 9 and 7. One of the galaxies shows a clear Balmer break and lacks spatially resolved H alpha emission. It falls well below the star formation main sequence at z = 6, indicating quiescence. The other is transitioning to quiescence; together, these massive galaxies are among the most distant post-starburst systems known. The blueshifted wings of the quasar [O III] emission lines suggest quasar-driven outflow possibly influencing star formation. Direct stellar velocity dispersion measurements reveal one galaxy follows the local black hole mass-sigma_* relation while the other is overmassive. The existence of massive post-starburst galaxies hosting billion-solar-mass BHs in short-lived quasar phases suggests SMBHs and host galaxies played a major role in each other's rapid early formation.

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arXiv2025

Origin of Radio Emission in Three Nearby Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies with Signatures of Luminous Buried Active Galactic Nuclei

We report multifrequency Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations at 2.3 and 8.4GHz of three nearby ultraluminous infrared galaxies, identified via mid-infrared spectroscopic analyses as hosting deeply embedded active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Milliarcsecond-scale observations at both frequencies reveal compact continuum emission in IRAS F00188$-$0856 and IRAS F01298$-$0744, accounting for $\sim10$% of the flux density measured on arcsecond scales. The non-detection in IRAS F00091$-$0738 and the lower limit on the intrinsic 8.4 GHz brightness temperature of $10^{6.1}$ K in IRAS F01298$-$0744 yield no conclusive evidence of AGN-driven radio emission, whereas the measurement of $10^{7.8}$ K in IRAS F00188$-$0856 confirms an AGN origin. Thus, the mid-infrared AGN classification remains robust, with at least one object exhibiting compact radio emission indicative of AGN activity. We further investigate the high-frequency spectral steepening observed in all three galaxies. In each case, this steepening arises from spectral aging in diffuse kpc-scale emission, which is resolved out by the VLBA observations. One possible explanation for the steepening of the sample is merger-induced particle acceleration. IRAS F00188$-$0856 exhibits a peaked radio spectrum, characteristic of a young radio source, with the high-frequency steepening attributable to this AGN activity. Consequently, the spectral steepening at high frequencies arises from particles accelerated by merger dynamics or AGN activity.

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arXiv2025

Quasar Negative Feedback to Surrounding Galaxies Probed with Ly$α$ Emitters and Continuum-Selected Galaxies

We report on the statistical analysis of quasar photoevaporation at $z\sim2.2$ by comparing the density of surrounding Ly$α$ Emitters (LAEs) and continuum-selected galaxies, based on the imaging data of Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) Subaru Strategic Program (SSP) and CFHT Large Area $U$-band Deep Survey (CLAUDS). We select 18 quasars from Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) in the HSC Deep/UltraDeep fields, normalize the LAE/continuum-selected galaxy distribution around each quasar with the quasar proximity size, stack them, and then measure the average densities of the galaxies. As a result, we find that the density of LAEs is $\gtrsim 5 σ$ lower than that of continuum-selected galaxies within the quasar proximity region. Within the quasar proximity region, we find that the LAEs with high Ly$α$ equivalent widths (EWs) are less dense than those with low EWs at the 3$σ$ level and that LAEs with EW of $\gtrsim150$ Å(rest-frame) are predominantly scarce. Finally, we find that both LAEs and continuum-selected galaxies have smaller densities when they are closer to quasars. We argue that the photoevaporation effect is more effective for smaller dark matter haloes predominantly hosting LAEs, but that it may also affect larger haloes.

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arXiv2025

No Galaxy-Scale [CII] Fast Outflow in the z=6.72 Red Quasar HSC J1205$-$0000

HSC 120505.09-000027.9 (J1205$-$0000) is one of the highest redshift ($z=6.72$) dust-reddened quasars (red quasars) known to date. We present an improved analysis of Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array data of the [CII] $158\ \rm{μm}$ line and the underlying rest-frame far-infrared (FIR) continuum emission, previously reported in Izumi et al. (2021a), toward J1205$-$0000. Red quasars are thought to be a transitional phase from an obscured starburst to a luminous blue quasar, in some cases associated with massive outflows driven by the active galactic nucleus (AGN). J1205$-$0000 has a high FIR luminosity, $L_{\mathrm{FIR}}=2.5\times 10^{12}\ L_{\odot}$ and a total IR luminosity of $L_{\mathrm{TIR}}=3.5\times 10^{12}\ L_{\odot}$, corresponding to a star formation rate (SFR) of $\sim 528\ M_{\odot}\ \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$. With the [CII]-based dynamical mass of $\sim 1 \times 10^{11}~M_\odot$, we conclude that J1205$-$0000 is hosted by a starburst galaxy. In contradiction to Izumi et al. (2021a), our improved analysis shows no hint of a broad component in the [CII] line spectrum. Thus there is no evidence for a host galaxy-scale fast [CII] outflow, despite the fact that J1205$-$0000 has fast nuclear ionized outflows seen in the rest-frame UV. We explore several scenarios for this discrepancy (e.g., early phase of AGN feedback, reliability of the [CII] line as a tracer of outflows), and we claim that it is still too early to conclude that there is no significant negative AGN feedback on star formation in this red quasar.

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arXiv2024

Implication of a galaxy-scale negative feedback by one of the most powerful multi-phase outflows in a hyper-luminous infrared galaxy at the intermediate redshift

Powerful, galactic outflows driven by Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) are commonly considered as a main mechanism to regulate star formation in massive galaxies. Ultra- and hyper-luminous IR galaxies (U/HyLIRGs) are thought to represent a transition phase of galaxies from a rapidly growing period to a quiescent status as gas swept out by outflows, providing a laboratory to investigate outflows and their feedback effects on the hosts. In this paper we report recent Gemini and ALMA observations of a HyLIRG, J1126 at $z=0.46842$, which has been identified with a puzzling co-existence of a fast ionized outflow ($>2000$ km s$^{-1}$) and an intense starburst (star formation rate of 800 $M_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$). The Gemini observation shows the fast ionized outflow is extended to several kpc with a mass-loss rate of 180 $M_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$. A massive molecular outflow with a high mass-loss rate (2500 $M_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$) is revealed by ALMA. The multi-phase outflows show large factors of momentum boost and loading of kinetic power, indicating a driving by thermal pressure of a nuclear hot wind and/or radiation pressure of a highly obscured AGN. In addition to ejection of kinetic energy, it is also found that the powerful outflow can induce an ionizing shock in the galaxy disk and enhance the excitation and dissociation of molecular gas. The powerful outflow probably results in an instantaneous negative feedback and shows potential to regulate the host growth in a long term.

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arXiv2024

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Emission in the Central Regions of Three Seyferts the Implication for Underlying Feedback Mechanisms

We analyze JWST MIRI/MRS IFU observations of three Seyferts and showcase the intriguing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission characteristics in regions of $\sim 500\,\rm pc$ scales over or around their active galactic nuclei (AGN). Combining the model predictions and the measurements of PAH features and other infrared emission lines, we find that the central regions containing a high fraction of neutral PAHs with small sizes, e.g., those in ESO137-G034, are in highly heated environments, due to collisional shock heating, with hard and moderately intense radiation fields. Such environments are proposed to be associated with inhibited growth or preferential erosion of PAHs, decreasing the average PAH size and the overall abundance of PAHs. We additionally find that the central regions containing a high fraction of ionized PAHs with large sizes, e.g., those in MCG-05-23-016, are likely experiencing severe photo-ionization because of the radiative effects from the radiative shock precursor besides the AGN. The severe photo-ionization can contribute to the ionization of all PAHs and further destruction of small PAHs. Overall, different Seyferts, even different regions in the same galaxy, e.g., those in NGC\,3081, can contain PAH populations of different properties. Specifically, Seyferts that exhibit similar PAH characteristics to ESO137-G034 and MCG-05-23-016 also tend to have similar emission line properties to them, suggesting that the explanations for PAH characteristics of ESO137-G034 and MCG-05-23-016 may also apply generally. These results have promising application in the era of JWST, especially in diagnosing different (i.e., radiative, and kinetic) AGN feedback modes.

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arXiv2024

The Galaxy Activity, Torus, and Outflow Survey (GATOS). (IV): Exploring Ionized Gas Outflows in Central Kiloparsec Regions of GATOS Seyferts

Utilizing JWST MIRI/MRS IFU observations of the kiloparsec scale central regions, we showcase the diversity of ionized gas distributions and kinematics in six nearby Seyfert galaxies included in the GATOS survey. Specifically, we present spatially resolved flux distribution and velocity field maps of six ionized emission lines covering a large range of ionization potentials ($15.8-97.1$ eV). Based on these maps, we showcase the evidence of ionized gas outflows in the six targets, and find some highly disturbed regions in NGC\,5728, NGC\,5506, and ESO137-G034. We propose AGN-driven radio jets plausibly play an important role in triggering these highly disturbed regions. With the outflow rates estimated based on [Ne~{\footnotesize V}] emission, we find the six targets tend to have ionized outflow rates converged to a narrower range than previous finding. These results have important implication for the outflow properties in AGN of comparable luminosity.

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arXiv2024

Merging gas-rich galaxies that harbor low-luminosity twin quasars at z = 6.05: a promising progenitor of the most luminous quasars

We present ALMA [CII] 158 $μ$m line and underlying far-infrared (FIR) continuum emission observations ($0''.57 \times 0''.46$ resolution) toward a quasar-quasar pair system recently discovered at $z = 6.05$ (Matsuoka et al. 2024). The quasar nuclei (C1 and C2) are faint ($M_{\rm 1450} \gtrsim -23$ mag), but we detect very bright [CII] emission bridging the 12 kpc between the two objects and extending beyond them (total luminosity $L_{\rm [CII]} \simeq 6 \times 10^9~L_\odot$). The [CII]-based total star formation rate of the system is $\sim 550~M_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$ (IR-based dust-obscured SFR is $\sim 100~M_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$), with a [CII]-based total gas mass of $\sim 10^{11}~M_\odot$. The dynamical masses of the two galaxies are large ($\sim 9 \times 10^{10}~M_\odot$ for C1 and $\sim 5 \times 10^{10}~M_\odot$ for C2). There is a smooth velocity gradient in [CII], indicating that these quasars are a tidally interacting system. We identified a dynamically distinct, fast [CII] component around C1: detailed inspection of the line spectrum there reveals the presence of a broad wing component, which we interpret as the indication of fast outflows with a velocity of $\sim 600$ km s$^{-1}$. The expected mass loading factor of the outflows, after accounting for multiphase gas, is $\gtrsim 2-3$, which is intermediate between AGN-driven and starburst-driven outflows. Hydrodynamic simulations in the literature predicted that this pair will evolve to a luminous ($M_{\rm 1450} \lesssim -26$ mag), starbursting ($\gtrsim 1000~M_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$) quasar after coalescence, one of the most extreme populations in the early universe.

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arXiv2024

Discovery of a hyperluminous quasar at z = 1.62 with Eddington ratio > 3 in the eFEDS field confirmed by KOOLS-IFU on Seimei Telescope

We report the discovery of a hyperluminous type 1 quasar (eFEDS J082826.9-013911; eFEDSJ0828-0139) at $z_{\rm spec}$ = 1.622 with a super-Eddington ratio ($λ_{\rm Edd}$). We perform the optical spectroscopic observations with KOOLS-IFU on the Seimei Telescope. The black hole mass ($M_{\rm BH}$) based on the single-epoch method with MgII $λ$2798 is estimated to be $M_{\rm BH} = (6.2 \pm 1.2) \times 10^8$ $M_{\odot}$. To measure the precise infrared luminosity ($L_{\rm IR}$), we obtain submillimeter data taken by SCUBA-2 on JCMT and conduct the spectral energy distribution analysis with X-ray to submillimeter data. We find that $L_{\rm IR}$ of eFEDSJ0828-0139 is $L_{\rm IR} = (6.8 \pm 1.8) \times 10^{13}$ $L_{\odot}$, confirming the existence of a hypeluminous infrared galaxy (HyLIRG). $λ_{\rm Edd}$ is estimated to be $λ_{\rm Edd} = 3.6 \pm 0.7$, making it one of the quasars with the highest BH mass accretion rate at cosmic noon.

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arXiv2024

Environments around quasars at $z\sim$3 revealed by wide-field imaging with Subaru HSC and CFHT

We examine the local density environments around 67 quasars at $z\sim3$, by combining the imaging data of Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program (HSC-SSP) and Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Large Area U-band Survey (CLAUDS) over about 20 deg$^{2}$. Our measurements exploit $U$-dropout galaxies in the vicinities of quasars taken from Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). We find that the quasars have the indistinguishable surrounding density distribution from the $U$-dropout galaxies, and that three quasars are associated with protocluster candidates within a projected separation of 3 arcmin. According to a halo evolutionary model, our results suggest that quasars at this epoch occupy haloes with a typical mass of $1.3^{+1.4}_{-0.9} \times 10^{13} h^{-1} \mathrm{M_{\odot}}$. We also investigate the dependence of the local galaxy overdensity on ultraviolet (UV) luminosities, black hole (BH) masses, and proximity zone sizes of the quasars, but no statistically-significant correlation was found. Finally, we find that the local density of faint $U$-dropout galaxies are lower than that of bright $U$-dropout galaxies within a projected distance of $0.51\pm0.05$ physical Mpc, where the quasar UV radiation is 30 times intenser than backgroung UV radiation. We argue that photoevaporation may suppress galaxy formation at short distances where the quasar UV intensity is strong, even in massive haloes.

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arXiv2024

Rich and diverse molecular gas environments of closely-separated dual quasars viewed by ALMA

We present a study of the molecular gas in five closely-spaced ($R_{\perp}<20$ kpc) dual quasars ($L_{\rm bol}\gtrsim10^{44}~\mathrm{erg~s}^{-1}$) at redshifts $0.4<z<0.8$ with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. The dual quasar phase represents a distinctive stage during the interaction between two galaxies for investigating quasar fueling and feedback effects on the gas reservoir. The dual quasars were selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and Subaru/Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program, with confirmatory spectroscopic validation. Based on the detection of the CO J=2--1 emission line with Band 4, we derived key properties including CO luminosities, line widths, and molecular gas masses for these systems. Among the ten quasars of the five pairs, eight have line detections exceeding $5σ$. The detected sources prominently harbor substantial molecular gas reservoirs, with molecular gas masses ($M_{\text{molgas}}$) between $10^{9.6-10.5}~\mathrm{M_{\odot}}$, and molecular gas-to-stellar mass ratios ($μ_{\text{molgas}}$) spanning $18-97\%$. The overall $μ_{\text{molgas}}$ of these dual quasars agrees with that of inactive star-forming main-sequence galaxies at comparable redshifts, indicating no clear evidence of quenching. However, intriguing features in each individual system show possible evidence of AGN feedback, matter transfer, and compaction processes.

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