BAL Phosphorus Abundance and Evidence for Immense Ionic Column Densities in Quasar Outflows: VLT/X-Shooter Observations of Quasar SDSS J1512+1119
Abstract
We present spectroscopic analysis of the broad absorption line (BAL) outflow in quasar SDSS J1512+1119. In particular, we focus our attention on a kinematic component in which we identify P V and S IV/S IV* absorption troughs. The shape of the unblended phosphorus doublet troughs and the three S IV/S IV* troughs allow us to obtain reliable column density measurements for these two ions. Photoionization modeling using these column densities and those of He I* constrain the abundance of phosphorus to the range of 0.5-4 times the solar value. The total column density, ionization parameter, and metallicity inferred from the P V and S IV column densities lead to large optical depth values for the common transition observed in BAL outflows. We show that the true C IV optical depth is ~1000 times greater in the core of the absorption profile than the value deduced from its apparent optical depth.
Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory, Chile, PID:87.B-0229.- Publication:
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The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- October 2012
- DOI:
- 10.1088/0004-637X/758/1/69
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1208.5910
- Bibcode:
- 2012ApJ...758...69B
- Keywords:
-
- galaxies: individual: SDSS J1512+1119;
- line: formation;
- quasars: absorption lines;
- Astrophysics - Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- Accepted for publication in ApJ on August 26, 2012