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Patrice Theulé

Publications and source records attributed to Patrice Theulé.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Discovery of four Narrow-line Type-1 Quasars at z = 2.54 -- 6.06 with Subaru 'Onohi'ula PFS-SSP

We report the discovery of four narrow-line type-1 quasars (NLQ1s) from the Subaru 'Onohi'ula Prime Focus Spectrograph Subaru Strategic Program (PFS-SSP). To extend a comprehensive understanding of this population to the distant universe, we searched for broad-line AGNs (quasars) whose rest-UV spectral shapes resemble those of local NLS1 galaxies, utilizing the Ly$α$ line profile. We identified four NLQ1s, including one candidate, at $z=2.54$ -- $6.06$. The obtained spectra show a prominent Ly$α$ emission line with a very low continuum level. The measured full width at half maximum (FWHM) of Ly$α$ ranges from $1410 \ \mathrm{km\,s^{-1}}$ to $1510 \ \mathrm{km\,s^{-1}}$ with a mean of $\sim 1430 \,\mathrm{km\,s^{-1}}$. Although we used only line width information for the NLQ1 selection, the resulting equivalent widths (EW) of Ly$α$ are higher (the mean $\sim 190$\,Å\ in the rest frame) than the typical values of quasars. Two quasars have exceptionally large Ly$α$ luminosity, accounting for $\sim 3$ -- $4$\% of the bolometric luminosity. We measured black hole masses and Eddington ratios for three objects whose C\,\textsc{iv} line is available. The resulting black hole masses are $\sim 10^{6.9}$ -- $10^{7.7}\, M_{\odot}$ with high Eddington ratios ($> 0.1$), consistent with those of NLS1 galaxies reported in the low-$z$ universe. N\,\textsc{v} and C\,\textsc{iv} broad absorption lines are detected in one object. This quasar can be classified as a mini-BAL quasar, which further supports the idea that this NLQ1 is indeed a luminous version of an NLS1 galaxy.

astro-ph.GA↗
arXiv2025

CEERS: Forging the First Dust Grains in the Universe? A Population of Galaxies with spectroscopically-derived Extremely Low Dust Attenuation (GELDA) at 4.0<z<11.4

We investigate the coevolution of metals and dust in 173 galaxies at $4.0 8.8$ (83.3%) than at $z<8.8$ (26.3%) suggesting they dominate the early Universe. Assuming a prior FIR dust spectrum (from ALPINE), we examine dust-stellar mass trends. The $M_{dust}$ vs. $M_{star}$ diagram shows upper and lower sequences linked by possible transitional galaxies. A transition at $M_{star}=10^8.5 M_\odot$ ($Z_{crit}=12+\log_{10}(O/H)=7.60$ or $Z/Z_\odot=0.1$) may mark the shift from stellar dust production to ISM grain growth, in agreement with theoretical predictions. Our full sample has a high mean gas fraction ($f_{gas}>0.9$), indicating retained gas across all galaxies. Their small sizes and large gas masses imply high gas surface densities but relatively low star formation efficiency. High-redshift GELDAs may naturally explain the observed excess of bright galaxies at $z>9$ compared to theoretical expectations.

astro-ph.GA↗
arXiv2023

Identification of Ammonium Salts on Comet 67P/C-G Surface from Infrared VIRTIS/Rosetta Data Based on Laboratory Experiments. Implications and Perspectives

The nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko exhibits a broad spectral reflectance feature around 3.2 $μ$m, which is omnipresent in all spectra of the surface, and whose attribution has remained elusive since its discovery. Based on laboratory experiments, we have shown that most of this absorption feature is due to ammonium (NH4+) salts mixed with the dark surface material. The depth of the band is compatible with semi-volatile ammonium salts being a major reservoir of nitrogen in the comet, which could dominate over refractory organic matter and volatile species. These salts may thus represent the long-sought reservoir of nitrogen in comets, possibly bringing their nitrogen-to-carbon ratio in agreement with the solar value. Moreover, the reflectance spectra of several asteroids are compatible with the presence of NH4+ salts at their surfaces. The presence of such salts, and other NH4+-bearing compounds on asteroids, comets, and possibly in proto-stellar environments, suggests that NH4+ may be a tracer of the incorporation and transformation of nitrogen in ices, minerals and organics, at different phases of the formation of the Solar System.

astro-ph.EP↗
arXiv2022

Identification of Large Equivalent Width Dusty Galaxies at 4 $<$ z $<$ 6 from Sub-mm Colours

Infrared (IR), sub-millimetre (sub-mm) and millimetre (mm) databases contain a huge quantity of high quality data. However, a large part of these data are photometric, and are thought not to be useful to derive a quantitative information on the nebular emission of galaxies. The aim of this project is first to identify galaxies at z > 4-6, and in the epoch of reionization from their sub-mm colours. We also aim at showing that the colours can be used to try and derive physical constraints from photometric bands, when accounting for the contribution from the IR fine structure lines to these photometric bands. We model the flux of IR fine structure lines with CLOUDY, and add them to the dust continuum emission with CIGALE. Including or not emission lines in the simulated spectral energy distribution (SED) modifies the broad band emission and colours. The introduction of the lines allows to identify strong star forming galaxies at z > 4 - 6 from the log10 (PSW_250um/PMW_350um) versus log10 (LABOCA_870um/PLW_500um) colour-colour diagramme. By comparing the relevant models to each observed galaxy colour, we are able to roughly estimate the fluxes of the lines, and the associated nebular parameters. This method allows to identify a double sequence in a plot built from the ionization parameter and the gas metallicity. The HII and photodissociation region (PDR) fine structure lines are an essential part of the SEDs. It is important to add them when modelling the spectra, especially at z > 4 - 6 where their equivalent widths can be large. Conversely, we show that we can extract some information on strong IR fine structure lines and on the physical parameters related to the nebular emission from IR colour-colour diagrams.

astro-ph.GA↗
arXiv2022

Fitting AGN/galaxy X-ray-to-radio SEDs with CIGALE and improvement of the code

Modern and future surveys effectively provide a panchromatic view for large numbers of extragalactic objects. Consistently modeling these multiwavelength survey data is a critical but challenging task for extragalactic studies. The Code Investigating GALaxy Emission (CIGALE) is an efficient PYTHON code for spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting of galaxies and active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Recently, a major extension of CIGALE (named X-CIGALE) has been developed to account for AGN/galaxy X-ray emission and improve AGN modeling at UV-to-IR wavelengths. Here, we apply X-CIGALE to different samples, including COSMOS spectroscopic type 2 AGNs, CDF-S X-ray detected normal galaxies, SDSS quasars, and COSMOS radio objects. From these tests, we identify several weaknesses of X-CIGALE and improve the code accordingly. These improvements are mainly related to AGN intrinsic X-ray anisotropy, X-ray binary emission, AGN accretion-disk SED shape, and AGN radio emission. These updates improve the fit quality and allow new interpretation of the results, based on which we discuss physical implications. For example, we find that AGN intrinsic X-ray anisotropy is moderate, and can be modeled as $L_X(θ) \propto 1+\cos θ$, where $θ$ is the viewing angle measured from the AGN axis. We merge the new code into the major branch of CIGALE, and publicly release this new version as CIGALE v2022.0 on https://cigale.lam.fr

astro-ph.GA↗
arXiv2020

The gas, metal and dust evolution in low-metallicity local and high-redshift galaxies

The chemical enrichment in the interstellar medium (ISM) of galaxies is regulated by several physical processes: stellar evolution, grain formation and destruction, galactic inflows and outflows. Understanding such processes is essential to follow the chemical enrichment of galaxies through the cosmic epochs, and to interpret the observations. Despite the importance of such topics, the efficiency of the different processes driving the evolution of baryons in galaxies, remain controversial. We revise the current description of metal and dust evolution in local low-metallicity dwarf galaxies and we develop a description for Lyman Break Galaxies. Our main goal is to reproduce i) the peak in the mass of dust over the mass of stars (sMdust) observed within few hundred Myrs; ii) the decrease of the sMdust at later time. The spectral energy distribution of the galaxies is fitted with the "Code Investigating GALaxies Emission" (CIGALE), through which the stellar and dust masses, and the star formation rate are estimated. For some of the dwarf galaxies, the metal and gas content are also available. We run different calculations of chemical evolution in galaxies, and we fit the observed properties through the model predictions. We show that i) a top-heavy initial mass function that favours massive stars and a dust condensation fraction for Type II Supernovae (SNe II) of 50% or more help to reproduce the peak of sMdust observed after 100 Myrs since the beginning of the cycle; ii) galactic outflows play a crucial role in reproducing the decline in sMdust with age, and they are more efficient than grain destruction from SNe II; iii) a star formation efficiency (mass of gas converted into stars) of few per cent is required to explain the metallicity of local dwarf galaxies; iv) dust growth in the ISM is not necessary to reproduce the sMdust and, if present, its effect is erased by galactic outflows.

astro-ph.GA↗
arXiv2019

High-resolution gas phase spectroscopy of molecules desorbed from an ice surface: a proof-of-principle study

High-resolution gas phase spectroscopy techniques in the microwave, millimeter-wave and terahertz spectral ranges can be used to study complex organic molecules desorbed from interstellar ice analogues surface with a high sensitivity. High-resolution gas phase spectroscopy gives unambiguous information about the molecular composition, the molecular structure, and transition frequencies needed for their detection by radio telescopes in various interstellar and circumstellar environments. The results will be useful not only for interpreting astronomical spectra and understanding astrophysical processes, but also for more general studies of gas-surface chemistry. This paper presents a new experimental approach based on a combination of a chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectrometer detection and a low temperature surface desorption experiment. The experimental set-up is benchmarked on the desorption of ammonia ice detected by high-resolution gas phase microwave spectroscopy.

astro-ph.IM↗
arXiv2019

Interstellar formamide (NH$_2$CHO), a key prebiotic precursor

Formamide (NH$_2$CHO) has been identified as a potential precursor of a wide variety of organic compounds essential to life, and many biochemical studies propose it likely played a crucial role in the context of the origin of life on our planet. The detection of formamide in comets, which are believed to have --at least partially-- inherited their current chemical composition during the birth of the Solar System, raises the question whether a non-negligible amount of formamide may have been exogenously delivered onto a very young Earth about four billion years ago. A crucial part of the effort to answer this question involves searching for formamide in regions where stars and planets are forming today in our Galaxy, as this can shed light on its formation, survival, and chemical re-processing along the different evolutionary phases leading to a star and planetary system like our own. The present review primarily addresses the chemistry of formamide in the interstellar medium, from the point of view of (i) astronomical observations, (ii) experiments, and (iii) theoretical calculations. While focusing on just one molecule, this review also more generally reflects the importance of joining efforts across multiple scientific disciplines in order to make progress in the highly interdisciplinary science of astrochemistry.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2019

Evidence of surface catalytic effect on cosmic dust grain analogues: the ammonia and carbon dioxide surface reaction

Surface chemistry on cosmic dust grains plays an important role in the formation of molecules at low temperatures in the interstellar and circumstellar environments. For the first time, we experimentally put in evidence the catalytic role of dust surfaces using the thermal reaction CO2 + 2NH3 = NH4+NH2COO-, which is also a proxy of radical-radical reactions. Nanometre-sized amorphous silicate and carbon grains produced in our laboratory were used as grain analogues. Surface catalysis on grains accelerates the kinetics of the reaction studied at a temperature of 80 K by a factor of up to 3 compared to the reaction occurring in the molecular solid. The evidence of the catalytic effect of grain surfaces opens a door for experiments and calculations on the surface formation of interstellar and circumstellar molecules on dust. Ammonium carbamate on the surface of grains or released intact into protostellar or protoplanetary disk phases can give start to a network of prebiotic reactions. Therefore, there should be a great interest to search for ammonium carbamate and its daughter molecule, carbamic acid, in interstellar clouds, protostellar envelopes, and protoplanetary disks.

astro-ph.GA↗
arXiv2018

Seeds of Life in Space (SOLIS). III. Zooming into the methanol peak of the pre-stellar core L1544

Towards the pre-stellar core L1544, the methanol (CH$_3$OH) emission forms an asymmetric ring around the core centre, where CH$_3$OH is mostly in solid form, with a clear peak 4000~au to the north-east of the dust continuum peak. As part of the NOEMA Large Project SOLIS (Seeds of Life in Space), the CH$_3$OH peak has been spatially resolved to study its kinematics and physical structure and to investigate the cause behind the local enhancement. We find that methanol emission is distributed in a ridge parallel to the main axis of the dense core. The centroid velocity increases by about 0.2~km~s$^{-1}$ and the velocity dispersion increases from subsonic to transonic towards the central zone of the core, where the velocity field also shows complex structure. This could be indication of gentle accretion of material onto the core or interaction of two filaments, producing a slow shock. We measure the rotational temperature and show that methanol is in local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) only close to the dust peak, where it is significantly depleted. The CH$_3$OH column density, $N_{tot}({\rm CH_3OH})$, profile has been derived with non-LTE radiative transfer modelling and compared with chemical models of a static core. The measured $N_{tot}({\rm CH_3OH})$ profile is consistent with model predictions, but the total column densities are one order of magnitude lower than those predicted by models, suggesting that the efficiency of reactive desorption or atomic hydrogen tunnelling adopted in the model may be overestimated; or that an evolutionary model is needed to better reproduce methanol abundance.

astro-ph.GA↗