Exploring the physics and energetics of FeLoBAL outflows
Abstract
Broad absorption line quasars (BALQs) exhibit clear evidence for powerful outflows from central supermassive black holes in their rest-UV spectra. FeLoBALQs are a rare type of BALQs that show higher column density outflows with absorption lines from low-ionization ions including FeII. They may represent a short-lived step in quasar evolution where the quasar expels its cocoon of gas and dust. We analyzed 53 FeLoBALQs, measuring the outflow gas properties and estimating the outflow strengths (kinetic luminosities) for all identified BAL outflows using the forward-modeling spectral fitting software SimBAL. We found a large range of physical properties (ionization parameter, density and column density). Notably, the absorbers in the outflows are found from parsecs to kiloparsecs from the central quasar, spanning four orders of magnitude. Patterns and trends among physical conditions and velocity profiles as a function of radius suggest differentiation between various proposed outflow acceleration mechanisms.
- Publication:
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43rd COSPAR Scientific Assembly. Held 28 January - 4 February
- Pub Date:
- January 2021
- Bibcode:
- 2021cosp...43E1623C