arXiv subjects

R. Maiolino

Publications and source records attributed to R. Maiolino.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2024

HYPERION. Coevolution of supermassive black holes and galaxies at $z>6$ and the build-up of massive galaxies

We used low- to high-frequency ALMA observations to investigate the cold gas and dust in ten QSOs at $z\gtrsim 6$. Our analysis of the CO(6-5) and CO(7-6) emission lines in the selected QSOs provided insights into their molecular gas masses, which average around $10^{10}\ \rm M_\odot$, consistent with typical values for high-redshift QSOs. Proprietary and archival ALMA observations in bands 8 and 9 enabled precise constraints on the dust properties and star formation rate (SFR) of four QSOs in our sample for the first time. The examination of the redshift distribution of dust temperatures revealed a general trend of increasing $T_{\rm dust}$ with redshift, which agrees with theoretical expectations. We computed a mean cold dust spectral energy distribution considering all ten QSOs. This offers a comprehensive view of the dust properties of high-$z$ QSOs. The QSOs marked by a more intense growth of the supermassive black hole (HYPERION QSOs) showed lower dust masses and higher gas-to-dust ratios on average, but their $\rm H_2$ gas reservoirs are consistent with those of other QSOs at the same redshift. The observed high SFR in our sample yields high SF efficiencies and thus very short gas depletion timescales ($τ_{\rm dep}\sim 10^{-2}$ Gyr). Beyond supporting the paradigm that high-$z$ QSOs reside in highly star-forming galaxies, our findings portrayed an interesting evolutionary path at $z>6$. Our study suggests that they are undergoing rapid galaxy growth that might be regulated by strong outflows. Their inferred evolutionary path shows a convergence toward the massive end of the local relation, which supports the idea that they are candidate progenitors of local massive galaxies. The observed pathway involves intense BH growth followed by substantial galaxy growth, in contrast with a symbiotic growth scenario. The abstract has been shortened (full version in the article).

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arXiv2024

HOMERUN a new approach to photoionization modelling. I -- reproducing observed emission lines with percent accuracy and obtaining accurate physical properties of the ionized gas

We present HOMERUN (Highly Optimized Multi-cloud Emission-line Ratios Using photo-ionizatioN), a new approach to modelling emission lines from photoionized gas that can simultaneously reproduce all observed line intensities from a wide range of ionization levels and with high accuracy. Our approach is based on the weighted combination of multiple single-cloud photoionization models and, contrary to previous works, the novelty of our approach consists in using the weights as free parameters of the fit and constraining them with the observed data. One of the main applications of HOMERUN is the accurate determination of gas-phase metallicities and we show that a critical point is to allow for a variation of the N/O and S/O abundance ratios which can significantly improve the quality of the fit and the accuracy of the results. Moreover, our approach provides a major improvement compared to the single-cloud, constant-pressure models commonly used in the literature. By using high-quality literature spectra of H ii regions where 10 to 20 emission lines (including several auroral lines) are detected with high signal-to-noise ratio, we show that all lines are reproduced by the model with an accuracy better than 10%. In particular, the model is able to simultaneously reproduce [O i]6300, 6363, [O ii]3726, 3729, [O iii]4959, 5007, [S ii]6717, 6731, and [S iii]9069, 9532 emission lines which, to our knowledge, is an unprecedented result. Finally, we show that the gas metallicities estimated with our models for HII regions in the Milky Way are in agreement with the stellar metallicities than the estimates based on the Te-method. Overall, our method provides a new accurate tool to estimate the metallicity and the physical conditions of the ionized gas. It can be applied to many different science cases from HII regions to AGN and wherever there are emission lines from photoionized gas.

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arXiv2024

Discovery of An Apparent Red, High-Velocity Type Ia Supernova at z = 2.9 with JWST

We present the JWST discovery of SN 2023adsy, a transient object located in a host galaxy JADES-GS$+53.13485$$-$$27.82088$ with a host spectroscopic redshift of $2.903\pm0.007$. The transient was identified in deep James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)/NIRCam imaging from the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES) program. Photometric and spectroscopic followup with NIRCam and NIRSpec, respectively, confirm the redshift and yield UV-NIR light-curve, NIR color, and spectroscopic information all consistent with a Type Ia classification. Despite its classification as a likely SN Ia, SN 2023adsy is both fairly red (E(B-V)$\sim0.9$) despite a host galaxy with low-extinction and has a high Ca II velocity ($19,000\pm2,000$km/s) compared to the general population of SNe Ia. While these characteristics are consistent with some Ca-rich SNe Ia, particularly SN 2016hnk, SN 2023adsy is intrinsically brighter than the low-z Ca-rich population. Although such an object is too red for any low-z cosmological sample, we apply a fiducial standardization approach to SN 2023adsy and find that the SN 2023adsy luminosity distance measurement is in excellent agreement ($\lesssim1σ$) with $Λ$CDM. Therefore unlike low-z Ca-rich SNe Ia, SN 2023adsy is standardizable and gives no indication that SN Ia standardized luminosities change significantly with redshift. A larger sample of distant SNe Ia is required to determine if SN Ia population characteristics at high-z truly diverge from their low-z counterparts, and to confirm that standardized luminosities nevertheless remain constant with redshift.

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arXiv2024

Supermassive Black Hole Winds in X-rays -- SUBWAYS. III. A population study on ultra-fast outflows

The detection of blue-shifted absorption lines likely associated with ionized Iron K-shell transitions in the X-ray spectra of many Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) suggests the presence of a highly ionized gas outflowing with mildly relativistic velocities (0.03c-0.6c), named Ultra-Fast Outflow (UFO). Within the SUBWAYS project we characterized these winds starting from a sample of 22 radio-quiet quasars at 0.1 < z < 0.4, and compared the results with similar studies in the literature on samples of 42 local radio-quiet Seyfert galaxies and 14 high redshift radio-quiet quasars. The scope of our work is a statistical study of UFO parameters and incidence, considering key physical properties of the sources, e.g. supermassive black hole (SMBH) mass, bolometric luminosity, accretion rates and Spectral Energy Distribution, with the aim of gaining new insights into the UFO launching mechanisms. We find indications that highly luminous AGN with steeper X-ray/UV ratio, are more likely to host UFO. The presence of UFO is not significantly related to any other AGN property in our sample. These findings suggest that the UFO phenomenon may be transient. Focusing on AGN with UFO, other important results are: (1) faster UFO have larger ionization parameters and column densities; (2) X-ray radiation plays a more crucial role in driving highly ionized winds compared to UV; (3) the correlation between outflow velocity and luminosity is significantly flatter than what expected for radiatively driven winds; (4) more massive BH experience higher wind mass-losses, suppressing accretion of matter onto the BH; (5) the UFO launching radius is positively correlated with the Eddington ratio. Furthermore, our analysis suggest the involvement of multiple launching mechanisms, including radiation pressure and magneto-hydrodynamic processes, rather than pointing to a single, universally applicable mechanism.

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arXiv2024

Feedback and ionized gas outflows in four low-radio power AGN at z $\sim$0.15

An increasing number of observations and simulations suggests that low-power (<10$^{44}$ erg s$^{-1}$) jets may be a significant channel of feedback produced by active galactic nuclei (AGN), but little is known about their actual effect on their host galaxies from the observational point of view. We targeted four luminous type 2 AGN hosting moderately powerful radio emission ($\sim$10$^{44}$ erg s$^{-1}$), two of which and possibly a third are associated with jets, with optical integral field spectroscopy observations from the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) at the Very Large Telescope (VLT) to analyze the properties of their ionized gas as well as the properties and effects of ionized outflows. We combined these observations with Very Large Array (VLA) and e-MERLIN data to investigate the relations and interactions between the radio jets and host galaxies. We detected ionized outflows as traced by the fast bulk motion of the gas. The outflows extended over kiloparsec scales in the direction of the jet, when present. In the two sources with resolved radio jets, we detected a strong enhancement in the emission-line velocity dispersion (up to 1000 km s$^{-1}$) perpendicular to the direction of the radio jets. We also found a correlation between the mass and the energetics of this high-velocity dispersion gas and the radio power, which supports the idea that the radio emission may cause the enhanced turbulence. This phenomenon, which is now being observed in an increasing number of objects, might represent an important channel for AGN feedback on galaxies.

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arXiv2024

Cosmology and fundamental physics with the ELT-ANDES spectrograph

State-of-the-art 19th century spectroscopy led to the discovery of quantum mechanics, and 20th century spectroscopy led to the confirmation of quantum electrodynamics. State-of-the-art 21st century astrophysical spectrographs, especially ANDES at ESO's ELT, have another opportunity to play a key role in the search for, and characterization of, the new physics which is known to be out there, waiting to be discovered. We rely on detailed simulations and forecast techniques to discuss four important examples of this point: big bang nucleosynthesis, the evolution of the cosmic microwave background temperature, tests of the universality of physical laws, and a real-time model-independent mapping of the expansion history of the universe (also known as the redshift drift). The last two are among the flagship science drivers for the ELT. We also highlight what is required for the ESO community to be able to play a meaningful role in 2030s fundamental cosmology and show that, even if ANDES only provides null results, such `minimum guaranteed science' will be in the form of constraints on key cosmological paradigms: these are independent from, and can be competitive with, those obtained from traditional cosmological probes.

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arXiv2024

HYPERION. Interacting companion and outflow in the most luminous $z>6$ quasar

We present ALMA deep observations of the [CII] 158 $μ$m emission line and the continuum at 253 GHz and 99 GHz towards SDSS J0100+2802 at $z\simeq 6.3$, the most luminous quasi-stellar object (QSO) at z$>$6. J0100+2802 belongs to the HYPERION sample of luminous QSOs at $z\sim 6-7.5$. The observations (at 2.2" resolution in Band 3 and 0.9" resolution in Band 6) are optimized to detect extended emission around the QSO. We detect an interacting, tidally disrupted companion both in [CII], peaking at $z\sim 6.332$, and in continuum, stretching on scales up to 20 kpc from the quasar, with a knotty morphology. The higher velocity dispersion in the direction of the companion emission and the complex morphology of tidally stretched galaxy suggest a possible ongoing or future merger. For the newly-detected companion we derive a range of dust mass, $M_{\rm dust}=(0.3-2.6)\times 10^7\ \rm M_\odot$, and of star formation rate, SFR$=[35-344]\ \rm M_\odot$. This shows that both the QSO and its companion are gas rich and that a major merger may be at the origin of the boosted star formation. We also detect a broad blueshifted component in the [CII] spectrum, that we interpret as a gaseous outflow for which we estimate a mass outflow rate in the range $\dot{M}_{\rm out}=(118-269)\ \rm M_\odot\ yr^{-1}$. J0100+2802 was recently found to reside in a strong overdensity, however this close companion remained undetected by both previous higher resolution ALMA observations and by JWST-NIRCAM imaging. Our results highlight the importance of deep medium-resolution ALMA observations for the study of QSOs and their environment at the Epoch of Reionization.

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arXiv2023

GA-NIFS: JWST/NIRSpec IFU observations of HFLS3 reveal a dense galaxy group at z~6.3

Massive, starbursting galaxies in the early Universe represent some of the most extreme objects in the study of galaxy evolution. One such source is HFLS3 (z~6.34), which was originally identified as an extreme starburst galaxy with mild gravitational magnification ($μ$~2.2). Here, we present new observations of HFLS3 with the JWST/NIRSpec IFU in both low (PRISM/CLEAR; R~100) and high spectral resolution (G395H/290LP; R~2700), with high spatial resolution (~0.1") and sensitivity. Thanks to the combination of the NIRSpec data and a new lensing model with accurate spectroscopic redshifts, we find that the 3"x3" field is crowded, with a lensed arc (C, $z=6.3425\pm0.0002$), two galaxies to the south (S1 and S2, $z=6.3592\pm0.0001$), two galaxies to the west (W1, $z=6.3550\pm0.0001$; W2, $z=6.3628\pm0.0001$), and two low-redshift interlopers (G1, $z=3.4806\pm0.0001$; G2, $z=2.00\pm0.01$). We present spectral fits and morpho-kinematic maps for each bright emission line from the R2700 data for all sources except G2. From a line ratio analysis, the galaxies in component C are likely powered by star formation, while we cannot rule out or confirm the presence of AGN in the other high-redshift sources. We perform gravitational lens modelling, finding evidence for a two-source composition of the lensed central object and a comparable magnification factor ($μ$=2.1-2.4) to previous work. The projected distances and velocity offsets of each galaxy suggest that they will merge within the next ~1Gyr. Finally, we examine the dust extinction-corrected SFR(Ha) of each z>6 source, finding that the total star formation ($510\pm140$Msol/yr, magnification-corrected) is distributed across the six z~6.34-6.36 objects over a region of diameter ~11kpc. Altogether, this suggests that HFLS3 is not a single starburst galaxy, but instead is a merging system of star-forming galaxies in the Epoch of Reionisation.

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arXiv2023

Metal enrichment and evolution in four z > 6.5 quasar sightlines observed with JWST/NIRSpec

We present JWST/NIRSpec R~2700 spectra of four high-redshift quasars: VDES J0020-3653 (z = 6.860), DELS J0411-0907 (z = 6.825), UHS J0439+1634 (z = 6.519) and ULAS J1342+0928 (z = 7.535). The exquisite data quality, signal-to-noise ratio of 50-200, and large $0.86\!~μ{\rm m}\le λ\le 5.5\!~μ{\rm m}$ spectral coverage allows us to identify between 13 and 17 intervening and proximate metal absorption line systems in each quasar spectrum, with a total number of 61 absorption-line systems detected at 2.42 6 and find: i) A continued increase of the low-ionization OI, CII, and SiII incidence, ii) Decreasing high-ionization CIV and SiIV incidence with a transition from predominantly high- to low-ionization at $z\approx6.0$, and iii) a constant MgII incidence across all redshifts. The observations support a change in the ionization state of the intergalactic medium in the EoR rather than a change in metallicity. The abundance ratio of [Si/O] in five z>6 absorption systems show enrichment signatures produced by low-mass Pop III pair instability supernovae, and possibly Pop III hypernovae. In the Gunn-Peterson troughs we detect transmission spikes where Ly$α$ photons can escape. From 22 absorption systems at z>5.7, only a single low-ionization system out of 13 lies within 2000 km/s from a spike, while four high-ionization systems out of nine lie within ~2000 km/s from a spike. This confirms that galaxies responsible for the heavy elements that are transported into the circumgalactic medium lie in predominantly in high-density, neutral environments, while lower density environments are ionized without being polluted by metals at $z\approx$ 6-7. [abridged]

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arXiv2023

The ultra-dense, interacting environment of a dual AGN at z $\sim$ 3.3 revealed by JWST/NIRSpec IFS

LBQS 0302-0019 is a blue quasar (QSO) at z ~ 3.3, hosting powerful outflows, and residing in a complex environment consisting of an obscured AGN candidate, and multiple companions, all within 30 kpc in projection. We use JWST NIRSpec IFS observations to characterise the ionized gas in this complex system. We develop a procedure to correct for the spurious oscillations (or 'wiggles') in NIRSpec single-spaxel spectra, due to the spatial under-sampling of the point spread function. We perform a quasar-host decomposition with the QDeblend3D tools, and use multi-component kinematic decomposition of the optical emission line profiles to infer the physical properties of the emitting gas. The quasar-host decomposition allows us to identify i) a low-velocity component possibly tracing a warm rotating disk, with a dynamical mass Mdyn $\sim 10^{11}$ Msun and a rotation-to-random motion ratio $v_{rot}$/$σ_0 \sim 2$; ii) a spatially unresolved ionised outflow, with a velocity of $\sim$ 1000 km/s and an outflow mass rate of $\sim 10^4$ Msun/yr. We also detect eight interacting companion objects close to LBQS 0302-0019. Optical line ratios confirm the presence of a second, obscured AGN at $\sim 20$ kpc of the primary QSO; the dual AGN dominates the ionization state of the gas in the entire NIRSpec field-of-view. This work has unveiled with unprecedented detail the complex environment of this dual AGN, which includes nine interacting companions (five of which were previously unknown), all within 30 kpc of the QSO. Our results support a scenario where mergers can trigger dual AGN, and can be important drivers for rapid early SMBH growth.

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arXiv2023

Low-mass bursty galaxies in JADES efficiently produce ionising photons and could represent the main drivers of reionisation

We study galaxies in JADES Deep to study the evolution of the ionising photon production efficiency, $ξ_{\rm{ion}}$, observed to increase with redshift. We estimate $ξ_{\rm{ion}}$ for a sample of 677 galaxies at $z \sim 4 - 9$ using NIRCam photometry. Specifically, combinations of the medium and wide bands F335M-F356W and F410M-F444W to constrain emission lines that trace $ξ_{\rm{ion}}$: H$α$ and [OIII]. Additionally, we use the spectral energy distribution fitting code \texttt{Prospector} to fit all available photometry and infer galaxy properties. The flux measurements obtained via photometry are consistent with FRESCO and NIRSpec-derived fluxes. Moreover, the emission-line-inferred measurements are in tight agreement with the \texttt{Prospector} estimates. We also confirm the observed $ξ_{\rm{ion}}$ trend with redshift and M$_{\rm{UV}}$, and find: $\log ξ_{\rm{ion}} (z,\text{M}_{\rm{UV}}) = (0.05 \pm 0.02)z + (0.11 \pm 0.02) \text{M}_{\rm{UV}} + (27.33 \pm 0.37)$. We use \texttt{Prospector} to investigate correlations of $ξ_{\rm{ion}}$ with other galaxy properties. We see a clear correlation between $ξ_{\rm{ion}}$ and burstiness in the star formation history of galaxies, given by the ratio of recent to older star formation, where burstiness is more prevalent at lower stellar masses. We also convolve our $ξ_{\rm{ion}}$ relations with luminosity functions from the literature, and constant escape fractions of 10 and 20\%, to place constraints on the cosmic ionising photon budget. By combining our results, we find that if our sample is representative of the faint low-mass galaxy population, galaxies with bursty star formation are efficient enough in producing ionising photons and could be responsible for the reionisation of the Universe.

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arXiv2023

HYPerluminous quasars at the Epoch of ReionizatION (HYPERION). A new regime for the X-ray nuclear properties of the first quasars

The existence of luminous quasars (QSO) at the Epoch of Reionization (EoR; i.e. z>6) powered by supermassive black holes (SMBH) with masses $\gtrsim10^9~M_\odot$ challenges models of early SMBH formation. To shed light on the nature of these sources we started a multiwavelength programme based on a sample of 18 HYPerluminous quasars at the Epoch of ReionizatION (HYPERION). These are the luminous QSOs whose SMBH must have had the fastest mass growth during the Universe first Gyr. In this paper we present the HYPERION sample and report on the first of the 3 years planned observations of the 2.4 Ms XMM-Newton Multi-Year Heritage program on which HYPERION is based. The goal of this program is to accurately characterize the X-ray nuclear properties of QSOs at the EoR. Through a joint X-ray spectral analysis of 10 sources, in the rest-frame $\sim2-50$ keV range, we report a steep average photon index ($Γ\sim2.4\pm0.1$). Absorption is not required. The average $Γ$ is inconsistent at $\geq4σ$ level with the canonical 1.8-2 value measured in QSO at z<6. This spectral slope is also much steeper than that reported in lower-z QSOs with similar luminosity or accretion rate, thus suggesting a genuine redshift evolution. Alternatively, we can interpret this result as the presence of an unusually low-energy cutoff $E_{cut}\sim20$ keV on a standard $Γ=1.9$ power-law. We also report on mild indications that HYPERION QSOs show higher soft X-ray emission at 2 keV compared to the UV one at 2500A than expected by lower-z luminous AGN. We speculate that a redshift-dependent coupling between the corona and accretion disc or intrinsically different coronal properties may account for the steep spectral slopes, especially in the presence of powerful winds. The reported slopes, if confirmed at lower luminosities, may have an important impact on future X-ray AGN studies in the early Universe.

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arXiv2023

Identification and properties of intense star-forming galaxies at redshifts z>10

Surveys with James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have discovered candidate galaxies in the first 400 Myr of cosmic time. Preliminary indications have suggested these candidate galaxies may be more massive and abundant than previously thought. However, without confirmed distances, their inferred properties remain uncertain. Here we identify four galaxies located in the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES) Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) imaging with photometric redshifts z~10-13. These galaxies include the first redshift z>12 systems discovered with distances spectroscopically confirmed by JWST in a companion paper. Using stellar population modelling, we find the galaxies typically contain a hundred million solar masses in stars, in stellar populations that are less than one hundred million years old. The moderate star formation rates and compact sizes suggest elevated star formation rate surface densities, a key indicator of their formation pathways. Taken together, these measurements show that the first galaxies contributing to cosmic reionisation formed rapidly and with intense internal radiation fields.

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arXiv2023

An investigation of the circumgalactic medium around z~2.2 AGN with ACA and ALMA

While observations of molecular gas at cosmic noon and beyond have focused on the gas within galaxies (i.e., the interstellar medium; ISM), it is also crucial to study the molecular gas reservoirs surrounding each galaxy (i.e., in the circumgalactic medium; CGM). Recent observations of galaxies and quasars hosts at high redshift (z>2) have revealed evidence for cold gaseous halos of scale r_CGM~10kpc, with one discovery of a molecular halo with r_CGM~200kpc and a molecular gas mass one order of magnitude larger than the ISM of the central galaxy. As a follow-up, we present deep ACA and ALMA observations of CO(3-2) from this source and two other quasar host galaxies at z~2.2. While we find evidence for CO emission on scales of r~10kpc, we do not find evidence for molecular gas on scales larger than r>20 kpc. Therefore, our deep data do not confirm the existence of massive molecular halos on scales of ~100 kpc for these X-ray selected quasars. As an interesting by-product of our deep observations, we obtain the tentative detection of a negative continuum signal on scales larger than r>200kpc, which might be tracing the Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect associated with the halo heated by the active galactic nucleus (AGN). If confirmed with deeper data, this could be direct evidence of the preventive AGN feedback process expected by cosmological simulations.

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arXiv2023

In-orbit Performance of the Near-Infrared Spectrograph NIRSpec on the James Webb Space Telescope

The Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) is one of the four focal plane instruments on the James Webb Space Telescope. In this paper, we summarize the in-orbit performance of NIRSpec, as derived from data collected during its commissioning campaign and the first few months of nominal science operations. More specifically, we discuss the performance of some critical hardware components such as the two NIRSpec Hawaii-2RG (H2RG) detectors, wheel mechanisms, and the micro-shutter array. We also summarize the accuracy of the two target acquisition procedures used to accurately place science targets into the slit apertures, discuss the current status of the spectro-photometric and wavelength calibration of NIRSpec spectra, and provide the as measured sensitivity in all NIRSpec science modes. Finally, we point out a few important considerations for the preparation of NIRSpec science programs.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2023

Radio antenna design for sky-averaged 21 cm cosmology experiments: the REACH case

Following the reported detection of an absorption profile associated with the 21~cm sky-averaged signal from the Cosmic Dawn by the EDGES experiment in 2018, a number of experiments have been set up to verify this result. This paper discusses the design process used for global 21~cm experiments, focusing specifically on the Radio Experiment for the Analysis of Cosmic Hydrogen (REACH). This experiment will seek to understand and compensate for systematic errors present using detailed modelling and characterization of the instrumentation. There is detailed the quantitative figures of merit and numerical modelling used to assist the design process of the REACH dipole antenna (one of the 2 antenna designs for REACH Phase I). This design process produced a 2.5:1 frequency bandwidth dipole. The aim of this design was to balance spectral smoothness and low impedance reflections with the ability to describe and understand the antenna response to the sky signal to inform the critically important calibration during observation and data analysis.

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arXiv2022

Evidence of extended cold molecular gas and dust halos around $\mathbf{z\sim2.3}$ Extremely Red Quasars with ALMA

Large-scale outflows are believed to be an important mechanism in the evolution of galaxies. We can determine the impact of these outflows by studying either current galaxy outflows and their effect in the galaxy or by studying the effect of past outflows on the gas surrounding the galaxy. In this work, we examine the CO(7-6), [CI]\,($^{3} \rm P_{1} \rightarrow {\rm ^3 P}_{0}$), H$_2$O 2$_{11}$--2$_{02}$ and dust continuum emission of 15 extremely red quasars (ERQs) at z$\sim$2.3 using ALMA. By investigating the radial surface brightness profiles of both the individual sources and the stacked emission, we detect extended cold gas and dust emission on scales of $\sim$14 kpc in CO(7-6), [CI](2-1), and dust continuum. This is the first time that the presence of a large amount of molecular gas was detected on large, circum-galactic medium scales around quasar host galaxies using [CI] extended emission. We estimate the dust and molecular gas mass of these halos to be 10$^{7.6}$ and 10$^{10.6}$ M$_\odot$, indicating significant dust and molecular gas reservoirs around these extreme quasars. By estimating the timescale at which this gas can reach these distances by molecular gas outflows (7-32 Myr), we conclude that these halos are a relic of past AGN or starburst activity, rather than an effect of the current episode of extreme quasar activity.

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arXiv2022

Supermassive Black Hole Winds in X-rays -- SUBWAYS. I. Ultra-fast outflows in QSOs beyond the local Universe

We present a new X-ray spectroscopic study of $22$ luminous ($2\times10^{45}\lesssim L_{\rm bol}\rm /erg\,s^{-1} \lesssim 2\times10^{46}$) active galactic nuclei (AGNs) at intermediate-redshift ($0.1 \lesssim z \lesssim 0.4$), as part of the SUpermassive Black hole Winds in the x-rAYS (SUBWAYS) sample, mostly composed of quasars (QSOs) and type\,1 AGN. Here, 17 targets were observed with \textit{XMM-Newton} between 2019--2020 and the remaining 5 are from previous observations. The aim of this large campaign ($1.45\,\rm Ms$ duration) is to characterise the various manifestations of winds in the X-rays driven from supermassive black holes in AGN. In this paper we focus on the search and characterization of ultra-fast outflows (UFOs), which are typically detected through blueshifted absorption troughs in the Fe\,K band ($E>7\,\rm keV$). By following Monte Carlo procedures, we confirm the detection of absorption lines corresponding to highly ionised iron (e.g., Fe\,\textsc{xxv}\,H$α$, Fe\,\textsc{xxvi}\,Ly$α$) in 7/22 sources at the $\gtrsim95\%$ confidence level (for each individual line). The global combined probability of such absorption features in the sample is $>99.9\%$. The SUBWAYS campaign extends at higher luminosity and redshifts than previous local studies on Seyferts, obtained using \xmm and \suzaku observations. We find a UFO detection fraction of $\sim30\%$ on the total sample that is in agreement with the previous findings. This work independently provides further support for the existence of highly-ionised matter propagating at mildly relativistic speed ($\gtrsim0.1c$) in a considerable fraction of AGN over a broad range of luminosities, which is expected to play a key role in the self-regulated AGN feeding-feedback cycle, as also supported by hydrodynamical multiphase simulations.

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