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Nicholas D. Morgan

Publications and source records attributed to Nicholas D. Morgan.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

HST imaging, pipeline modeling, and time-delay predictions of 2 triply-imaged and 15 quadruply-imaged lensed quasars

The Hubble-Lema\^{\i}tre tension remains a significant challenge in modern cosmology, exhibiting a discrepancy between early-Universe cosmic microwave background measurements and local distance ladder observations. Strong lensing time-delay cosmography provides an independent, geometric probe of $H_0$ that can help resolve this discrepancy. Although hundreds of lensed quasars have been discovered, only a handful have been analyzed due to the resource-intensive follow-up required to measure precise time delays and break degeneracies. We present uniform gravitational lens modeling of 17 recently discovered lensed quasar systems (2 triply-imaged and 15 quadruply-imaged) to identify and prioritize the most promising candidates for future cosmological study. Using high-resolution near-infrared Hubble Space Telescope WFC3/IR F160W imaging (PID: 17916, PI: T. Treu), we perform uniform pipeline modeling with Lenstronomy. We constrain the mass and light profiles of the deflector galaxies, and assuming a fiducial cosmology, we predict their Fermat potential differences and expected time delays. Our pipeline successfully yields models and time-delay predictions for all 17 systems. Assuming ideal monitoring conditions, we estimate the total contribution from time-delay and Fermat potential modeling errors to the time-delay distance. From this, we classify the systems by estimated time-delay distance uncertainties: six "excellent" ($\leq 3\%$), five "good" ($3\%$-$7\%$), three "suitable" ($7\%$-$12\%$), and three "impractical" ($>12\%$). We recommend prioritizing follow-up campaigns on the 11 "excellent" and "good" systems, which have the potential to deliver high-precision, independent constraints on $H_0$ to help resolve the Hubble-Lema\^{\i}tre tension.

astro-ph.CO

First lensed quasar systems from the VST-ATLAS survey: one quad, two doubles and two pairs of lensless twins

We have analyzed images from the VST ATLAS survey to identify candidate gravitationally lensed quasar systems in a sample of WISE sources with W1 - W2 > 0.7. Results from followup spectroscopy with the Baade 6.5 m telescope are presented for eight systems. One of these is a quadruply lensed quasar and two are doubly lensed systems. Two are projected superpositions of two quasars at different redshifts. In one system two quasars, though at the same redshift, have very different emission line profiles, and constitute a physical binary. In two systems the component spectra are consistent with the lensing hypothesis, after allowing for micro-lensing. But as no lensing galaxy is detected in these two, we classify them as lensless twins. More extensive observations are needed to establish whether they are in fact lensed quasars or physical binaries.

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X-Ray and Optical Microlensing in the Lensed Quasar PG 1115+080

We analyzed the microlensing of the X-ray and optical emission of the lensed quasar PG 1115+080. We find that the effective radius of the X-ray emission is 1.3(+1.1 -0.5) dex smaller than that of the optical emission. Viewed as a thin disk observed at inclination angle i, the optical accretion disk has a scale length, defined by the point where the disk temperature matches the rest frame energy of the monitoring band (kT=hc/lambda_rest with lambda_rest=0.3 micron), of log[(r_{s,opt}/cm)(cos(i) / 0.5)^{1/2}] = 16.6 \pm 0.4. The X-ray emission region (1.4-21.8 keV in the rest frame) has an effective half-light radius of log[r_{1/2,X}/cm] = 15.6 (+0.6-0.9}. Given an estimated black hole mass of 1.2 * 10^9 M_sun, corresponding to a gravitational radius of log[r_g/cm] = 14.3, the X-ray emission is generated near the inner edge of the disk while the optical emission comes from scales slightly larger than those expected for an Eddington-limited thin disk. We find a weak trend supporting models with low stellar mass fractions near the lensed images, in mild contradiction to inferences from the stellar velocity dispersion and the time delays.

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Simultaneous Estimation of Time Delays and Quasar Structure

We expand our Bayesian Monte Carlo method for analyzing the light curves of gravitationally lensed quasars to simultaneously estimate time delays and quasar structure including their mutual uncertainties. We apply the method to HE1104-1805 and QJ0158-4325, two doubly-imaged quasars with microlensing and intrinsic variability on comparable time scales. For HE1104-1805 the resulting time delay of (Delta t_AB) = t_A - t_B = 162.2 -5.9/+6.3 days and accretion disk size estimate of log(r_s/cm) = 15.7 -0.5/+0.4 at 0.2 micron in the rest frame are consistent with earlier estimates but suggest that existing methods for estimating time delays in the presence of microlensing underestimate the uncertainties. We are unable to measure a time delay for QJ0158-4325, but the accretion disk size is log(r_s/cm) = 14.9 +/- 0.3 at 0.3 micron in the rest frame.

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Microlensing of the Lensed Quasar SDSS0924+0219

We analyze V, I and H band HST images and two seasons of R-band monitoring data for the gravitationally lensed quasar SDSS0924+0219. We clearly see that image D is a point-source image of the quasar at the center of its host galaxy. We can easily track the host galaxy of the quasar close to image D because microlensing has provided a natural coronograph that suppresses the flux of the quasar image by roughly an order of magnitude. We observe low amplitude, uncorrelated variability between the four quasar images due to microlensing, but no correlated variations that could be used to measure a time delay. Monte Carlo models of the microlensing variability provide estimates of the mean stellar mass in the lens galaxy (0.02 Msun < M < 1.0 Msun), the accretion disk size (the disk temperature is 5 x 10^4 K at 3.0 x 10^14 cm < rs < 1.4 x 10^15 cm), and the black hole mass (2.0 x 10^7 Msun < MBH η_{0.1}^{-1/2} (L/LE)^{1/2} < 3.3 x 10^8 Msun), all at 68% confidence. The black hole mass estimate based on microlensing is consistent with an estimate of MBH = 7.3 +- 2.4 x 10^7 Msun from the MgII emission line width. If we extrapolate the best-fitting light curve models into the future, we expect the the flux of images A and B to remain relatively stable and images C and D to brighten. In particular, we estimate that image D has a roughly 12% probability of brightening by a factor of two during the next year and a 45% probability of brightening by an order of magnitude over the next decade.

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The Quasar Accretion Disk Size - Black Hole Mass Relation

We use the microlensing variability observed for nine gravitationally lensed quasars to show that the accretion disk size at 2500 Angstroms is related to the black hole mass by log(R_2500/cm) = (15.6+-0.2) + (0.54+-0.28)log(M_BH/10^9M_sun). This scaling is consistent with the expectation from thin disk theory (R ~ M_BH^(2/3)), but it implies that black holes radiate with relatively low efficiency, log(eta) = -1.29+-0.44 + log(L/L_E) where eta=L/(Mdot c^2). These sizes are also larger, by a factor of ~3, than the size needed to produce the observed 0.8 micron quasar flux by thermal radiation from a thin disk with the same T ~ R^(-3/4) temperature profile. More sophisticated disk models are clearly required, particularly as our continuing observations improve the precision of the measurements and yield estimates of the scaling with wavelength and accretion rate.

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The X-ray Properties of Optically-Selected Galaxy Clusters

We stacked the X-ray data from the ROSAT All Sky Survey for over 4,000 clusters selected from the 2MASS catalog and divided into five richness classes. We detected excess X-ray emission over background at the center of the stacked images in all five richness bins. The interrelationships between the mass, X-ray temperature and X-ray luminosity of the stacked clusters agree well with those derived from catalogs of X-ray clusters. Poisson variance in the number of galaxies occupying halos of a given mass leads to significant differences between the average richness at fixed mass and the average mass at fixed richness that we can model relatively easily using a simple model of the halo occupation distribution. These statistical effects probably explain recent results in which optically-selected clusters lie on the same X-ray luminosity-temperature relations as local clusters but have lower optical richnesses than observed for local clusters with the same X-ray properties. When we further binned the clusters by redshift, we did not find significant redshift-dependent biases in the sense that the X-ray luminosities for massive clusters of fixed optical richness show little dependence on redshift beyond that expected from the effects of Poisson fluctuations. Our results demonstrate that stacking of RASS data from optically selected clusters can be a powerful test for biases in cluster selection algorithms.

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Time-Delay Measurement for the Quadruple Lens RX J1131-1231

We have measured the three time delays for the quadruple gravitational lens RX J1131-1231 using two seasons of monitoring data. The short delays between cusp images are A-B = 11.98 +1.52,-1.27 days and A-C = 9.61 +1.97,-1.57 days. The long A-D delay for the counter image is not as precisely determined because of the season gaps, but the data suggest a delay of -87 +- 8 days. The short delays are difficult to explain using standard isothermal halo models of the lensing potential, which instead prefer A-B and A-C delays of ~1 day for reasonable values of the Hubble constant. Matching the cusp delays is possible by adding a significant (~5 x 10^10 M_sun) amount of matter nearly coincident (~0.05" South-East) with the A image. Adding such a satellite also helps improve the quasar and lens astrometry of the model, reduces the velocity dispersion of the main lens and shifts it closer to the Fundamental Plane. This is suggestive of a satellite galaxy to the primary lens, but its expected luminosity and proximity to both image A and the system's bright Einstein ring make visual identification impossible even with the existing HST data. We also find evidence for significant structure along the line of sight toward the lens. Archival Chandra observations show two nearby regions of extended X-ray emission, each with bolometric X-ray luminosities of 2-3 x 10^43 ergs/s. The brighter region is located 153" from the lens and centered on a z=0.1 foreground cD galaxy, and the fainter and presumably more distant region is 4-5 times closer (in angular separation) to the lens and likely corresponds to the weaker of two galaxy red sequences (which includes the lens galaxy) previously detected at optical wavelengths.

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The Lens Redshift and Group Environment for HE 0435-1223

The redshift of the galaxy lensing HE 0435-1223 is 0.4546 +/- 0.0002, based on observations obtained with the Low Dispersion Survey Spectrograph 2 (LDSS2) on the Magellan Consortium's 6.5 m Clay telescope. HST/ACS observations of the system also reveal a spiral-rich group of 10 galaxies within 40" of the elliptical lensing galaxy. The redshifts for two of these galaxies were measured to be in the foreground (at z=0.419) with respect to the lens, thus at least some of the nearby galaxies are not part of the same physical group as the lensing galaxy. Mass models of the system (assuming same-plane deflectors) that take the local group environment into account do better at explaining the observed emission-line flux ratios (which are presumably unaffected by microlensing) than single halo models, but the match is still not perfect. In particular, component A (a minimum of the light travel time) is observed to be 0.20 mag brighter than predicted and component C (also a minimum image) is observed to be 0.16 mag fainter than predicted. Mass models for the system predict an A-D time delay of either 15.8 or 17.6 days (Ho = 72 km/s/Mpc) depending on the details of the local galaxy environment.

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WFI J2026-4536 and WFI J2033-4723: Two New Quadruple Gravitational Lenses

We report the discovery of two new gravitationally lensed quasars, WFI J2026-4536 and WFI J2033-4723, at respective source redshifts of z=2.23 and z=1.66. Both systems are quadruply imaged and have similar PG1115-like image configurations. WFI J2026-4536 has a maximum image separation of 1.4", a total brightness of g = 16.5, and a relatively simple lensing environment, while WFI J2033-4723 has a maximum image separation of 2.5", an estimated total brightness of g = 17.9, and a more complicated environment of at least six galaxies within 20". The primary lensing galaxies are detected for both systems after PSF subtraction. Several of the broadband flux ratios for the two lenses show a strong (0.1-0.4 mags) trend with wavelength, suggesting either microlensing or differential extinction through the lensing galaxy. For WFI J2026-4536, the total quasar flux has dimmed by 0.1 mag in the blue but only half as much in the red over three months, suggestive of microlensing-induced variations. For WFI J2033-4723, resolved spectra of some of the quasar components reveal emission line flux ratios that agree better with the macromodel predictions than either the broadband or continuum ratios, also indicative of microlensing. The predicted differential time delays for WFI J2026-4536 are short, ranging from 1-2 weeks for the long delay, but are longer for WFI J2033-4723, ranging from 1-2 months. Both systems hold promise for future monitoring campaigns aimed at microlensing or time delay studies.

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SDSS J1650+4251: A New Gravitational Lens

We report that the Sloan Digital Sky Survey quasar SDSS J165043.44+425149.3 is gravitationally lensed into two images, based on observations obtained with the WIYN 3.5 m telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory. The lensed quasar, at a redshift of z=1.54, appears as two images separated by 1.2" with B-band magnitudes of 17.8 and 20.0. The lensing galaxy is clearly detected in I-band images obtained in 0.3" seeing, after point spread function subtraction of the two quasar images. A strong metal-line absorption system is also identified in the unresolved SDSS spectrum of the double quasar, suggesting a plausible lens redshift of z=0.58. The UBRI flux ratios of the pair vary significantly from 8.5:1 in the blue to 5.4:1 in the red, a difference of 0.5 magnitudes, and may indicate the presence of microlensing in one or both quasar components. The predicted differential time delay between quasar images is on the order of one month, assuming the intervening absorption system is due to the lensing galaxy.

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PMN J1632-0033: A new gravitationally lensed quasar

We report the discovery of a gravitationally lensed quasar resulting from our survey for lenses in the southern sky. Radio images of PMN J1632-0033 with the VLA and ATCA exhibit two compact, flat-spectrum components with separation 1.47" and flux density ratio 13.2. Images with the HST reveal the optical counterparts to the radio components and also the lens galaxy. An optical spectrum of the bright component, obtained with the first Magellan telescope, reveals quasar emission lines at redshift 3.42. Deeper radio images with MERLIN and the VLBA reveal a faint third radio component located near the center of the lens galaxy, which is either a third image of the background quasar or faint emission from the lens galaxy.

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Chandra X-ray Observations of the Quadruply Lensed Quasar RX J0911.4+0551

We present results from X-ray observations of the quadruply lensed quasar RX J0911.4+0551 using data obtained with the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS) on board the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The 29 ks observation detects a total of ~404 X-ray photons (0.3 to 7.0 keV) from the four images of the lensed quasar. Deconvolution of the aspect corrected data resolves all four lensed images, with relative positions in good agreement with optical measurements. When compared to contemporaneous optical data, one of the lensed images (component A3) is dimmer by a factor of ~6 in X-rays with respect to the 2 brighter images (components A1 and A2). Spectral fitting for the combined images shows significant intrinsic absorption in the soft (0.2 to 2.4 keV) energy band, consistent with the mini-BAL nature of this quasar, while a comparison with ROSAT PSPC observations from 1990 shows a drop of ~6.5 in the total soft bandpass flux. The observations also detect ~157 X-ray photons arising from extended emission of the nearby cluster (peaked ~42" SW of RXJ0911.4+0551) responsible for the large external shear present in the system. The Chandra observation reveals the cluster emission to be complex and non-spherical, and yields a cluster temperature of kT = 2.3^{+1.8}_{-0.8} keV and a 2.0 to 10 keV cluster luminosity within a 1 Mpc radius of L_X = 7.6_{-0.2}^{+0.6} x 10^{43} ergs/s (error bars denote 90% confidence limits). Our mass estimate of the cluster within its virial radius is 2.3^{+1.8}_{-0.7} x 10^{14} solar, and is a factor of 2 smaller than, although consistent with, previous mass estimates based on the observed cluster velocity dispersion.

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The Gravitational Lens Candidate FBQ 1633+3134

We present our ground-based optical imaging, spectral analysis, and high resolution radio mapping of the gravitational lens candidate FBQ 1633+3134. This z=1.52, B=17.7 quasar appears double on CCD images with an image separation of 0.66 arcseconds and a flux ratio of ~3:1 across BVRI filters. A single 0.27 mJy radio source is detected at 8.46 GHz, coincident to within an arcsecond of both optical components, but no companion at radio wavelengths is detected down to a flux level of 0.1 mJy (3 sigma). Spectral observations reveal a rich metal-line absorption system consisting of a strong Mg II doublet and associated Fe I and Fe II absorption features, all at an intervening redshift of z=0.684, suggestive of a lensing galaxy. Point spread function subtraction however shows no obvious signs of a third object between the two quasar images, and places a detection limit of I > 23.0 if such an object exists. Although the possibility that FBQ 1633+3134 is a binary quasar cannot be ruled out, the evidence is consistent with it being a single quasar lensed by a faint, metal-rich galaxy.

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PMN J1838-3427: A new gravitationally lensed quasar

We report the discovery of a new double-image quasar that was found during a search for gravitational lenses in the southern sky. Radio source PMN J1838-3427 is composed of two flat-spectrum components with separation 1", flux density ratio 14:1 and matching spectral indices, in VLA and VLBA images. Ground-based BRI images show the optical counterpart (total I=18.6) is also double with the same separation and position angle as the radio components. An HST/WFPC2 image reveals the lens galaxy. The optical flux ratio (27:1) is higher than the radio value probably due to differential extinction of the components by the lens galaxy. An optical spectrum of the bright component contains quasar emission lines at z=2.78 and several absorption features, including prominent Ly-alpha absorption. The lens galaxy redshift could not be measured but is estimated to be z=0.36 +/- 0.08. The image configuration is consistent with the simplest plausible models for the lens potential. The flat radio spectrum and observed variability of PMN J1838-3427 suggest the time delay between flux variations of the components is measurable, and could thus provide an independent measurement of H_0.

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CTQ 839: Candidate for the Smallest Projected Separation Binary Quasar

We report the discovery of the new double quasar CTQ 839. This B = 18.3, radio quiet quasar pair is separated by 2.1" in BRIH filters with magnitude differences of delta m_B = 2.5, delta m_R = delta m_I = 1.9, and delta m_H = 2.3. Spectral observations reveal both components to be z = 2.24 quasars, with relative redshifts that agree at the 100 km/s level, but exhibit pronounced differences in the equivalent widths of related emission features, as well as an enhancement of blue continuum flux in the brighter component longward of the Ly alpha emission feature. In general, similar redshift double quasars can be the result of a physical binary pair, or a single quasar multiply imaged by gravitational lensing. Empirical PSF subtraction of R and H band images of CTQ 839 reveal no indication of a lensing galaxy, and place a detection limit of R = 22.5 and H = 17.4 for a third component in the system. For an Einstein-de Sitter cosmology and SIS model, the R band detection limit constrains the characteristics of any lensing galaxy to z_lens >= 1 with a corresponding luminosity of L >~ 5 L_*, while an analysis based on the redshift probability distribution for the lensing galaxy argues against the existence of a z_lens >~ 1 lens at the 2 sigma level. A similar analysis for a Lambda dominated cosmology, however, does not significantly constrain the existence of any lensing galaxy. The broadband flux differences, spectral dissimilarities, and failure to detect a lensing galaxy make the lensing hypothesis for CTQ 839 unlikely. The similar redshifts of the two components would then argue for a physical quasar binary. At a projected separation of 8.3/h kpc (Omega_matter = 1), CTQ 839 would be the smallest projected separation binary quasar currently known.

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CTQ 414: A New Gravitational Lens

We report the discovery and ground based observations of the new gravitational lens CTQ 414. The source quasar lies at a redshift of z = 1.29 with a B magnitude of 17.6. Ground based optical imaging reveals two point sources separated by 1.2 arcsec with a magnitude difference of roughly 1 mag. Subtraction of two stellar point spread functions from images obtained in subarcsecond seeing consistently leaves behind a faint, residual object. Fits for two point sources plus an extended object places the fainter object collinear with the two brighter components. Subsequent HST/NICMOS observations have confirmed the identification of the fainter object as the lensing galaxy. VLA observations at 8.46 GHz reveal that all components of the lensing system are radio quiet down to the 0.2 mJy flux level.

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