Showing papers by "Dieter Lutz published in 2007"

Spitzer quasar and ulirg evolution study (quest). ii. the spectral energy distributions of palomar-green quasars

Abstract: This is the second paper studying the QSOs in the Spitzer QUEST sample. Previously we presented new PAH measurements and argued that most of the observed far-infrared (FIR) radiation is due to star-forming activity. Here we present spectral energy distributions (SEDs) by supplementing our data with optical, NIR, and FIR observations. We define two subgroups, of "weak FIR" and "strong FIR" QSOs, and a third group of FIR nondetections. Assuming a starburst origin for the FIR, we obtain "intrinsic" active galactic nucleus (AGN) SEDs by subtracting a starburst template from the mean SEDs. The resulting SEDs are remarkably similar for all groups. They show three distinct peaks corresponding to two silicate emission features and a 3 μm bump, which we interpret as the signature of the hottest AGN dust. They also display drops beyond ~20 μm that we interpret as the signature of the minimum temperature (~200 K) dust. This component must be optically thin to explain the silicate emission and the slope of the long-wavelength continuum. We discuss the merits of an alternative model in which most of the FIR emission is due to AGN heating. Such models are unlikely to explain the properties of our QSOs, but they cannot be ruled out for more luminous objects. We also find correlations between the luminosity at 5100 A and two infrared starburst indicators: L(60 μm) and L(PAH 7.7 μm). The correlation of L(5100 A) with L(60 μm) can be used to measure the relative growth rates and lifetimes of the black hole and the new stars.

Dynamical Properties of z ~ 2 Star-forming Galaxies and a Universal Star Formation Relation*

Abstract: We present the first comparison of the dynamical properties of different samples of z ~ 1.4-3.4 star-forming galaxies from spatially resolved imaging spectroscopy from SINFONI/VLT integral field spectroscopy and IRAM CO millimeter interferometry. Our samples include 16 rest-frame UV-selected, 16 rest-frame optically selected, and 13 submillimeter galaxies (SMGs). We find that rest-frame UV and optically bright (K ranging from 0.06 to 0.2. In contrast, bright SMGs (S_(850) μm ≥ 5 mJy) have larger velocity widths and are much more compact. Hence, SMGs have lower angular momenta and higher matter densities than either the UV or optically selected populations. This indicates that dissipative major mergers may dominate the SMGs population, resulting in early spheroids, and that a significant fraction of the UV/optically bright galaxies have evolved less violently, either in a series of minor mergers, or in rapid dissipative collapse from the halo, given that either process may leads to the formation of early disks. These early disks may later evolve into spheroids via disk instabilities or mergers. Because of their small sizes and large densities, SMGs lie at the high surface density end of a universal (out to z = 2.5) "Schmidt-Kennicutt" relation between gas surface density and star formation rate surface density. The best-fit relation suggests that the star formation rate per unit area scales as the surface gas density to a power of ~1.7, and that the star formation efficiency increases by a factor of 4 between non-starbursts and strong starbursts.

Dust covering factor, silicate emission, and star formation in luminous QSOs

Abstract: This article presents Spitzer IRS low resolution, mid-IR spectra of a sample of 25 high luminosity QSOs at 2 < z < 3.5.

COSBO: The MAMBO 1.2 Millimeter Imaging Survey of the COSMOS Field

Abstract: The inner 20 × 20 arcmin^2 of the COSMOS field was imaged at 250 GHz (1.2 mm) to an rms noise level of ~1 mJy per 11" beam using the Max-Planck Millimeter Bolometer Array (MAMBO-2) at the IRAM 30 m telescope. We detect 15 sources at significance between 4 and 7 σ, 11 of which are also detected at 1.4 GHz with the VLA with a flux density >24 μJy (3 σ). We identify 12 more lower significance mm sources based on their association with faint radio sources. We present the multifrequency identifications of the MAMBO sources, including VLA radio flux densities, optical and near-infrared identifications, as well as the XMM-Newton X-ray detection for two of the mm sources. We compare radio and optical photometric redshifts and briefly describe the host galaxy morphologies. The colors of the identified optical counterparts suggest most of them to be high-redshift (z ~ 2-3) star-forming galaxies. At least three sources appear lensed by a foreground galaxy. We highlight some MAMBO sources that do not show obvious radio counterparts. These sources could be dusty starburst galaxies at redshifts >3.5. The 250 GHz source areal density in the COSMOS field is comparable to that seen in other deep mm fields.

A Mid-Infrared Spectroscopic Study of Submillimeter Galaxies: Luminous Starbursts at High Redshift

Abstract: We present rest-frame mid-infrared spectroscopy of a sample of 13 submillimeter galaxies, obtained using the Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) on board the Spitzer Space Telescope. The sample includes exclusively bright objects from blank fields and cluster lens-assisted surveys that have accurate interferometric positions. We find that the majority of spectra are well fitted by a starburst template or by the superposition of PAH emission features and a weak mid-infrared continuum, the latter a tracer of active galactic nuclei (AGNs; including Compton-thick ones). We obtain mid-infrared spectroscopic redshifts for all nine sources detected with IRS. For three of them the redshifts were previously unknown. The median value of the redshift distribution is z ~ 2.8 if we assume that the four IRS nondetections are at high redshift. The median for the IRS detections alone is z ~ 2.7. Placing the IRS nondetections at similar redshift would require rest-frame mid-IR obscuration larger than is seen in local ULIRGs. The rest-frame mid-infrared spectra and mid- to far-infrared spectral energy distributions are consistent with those of local ultraluminous infrared galaxies but scaled up further in luminosity. The mid-infrared spectra support the scenario that submillimeter galaxies are sites of extreme star formation, rather than X-ray-obscured AGNs, and represent a critical phase in the formation of massive galaxies.

Host Dynamics and Origin of Palomar-Green QSOs*

Abstract: We present host galaxy velocity dispersions of 12 local (mainly Palomar-Green) QSOs measured directly from the stellar CO absorption features in the H band. The mean bulge dispersion of the QSOs in our sample is 186 km s-1 with a standard deviation of 24 km s-1. The measurement of the stellar dispersion in QSOs enables us to place them on observational diagrams such as the local black hole mass-bulge velocity dispersion relation and the fundamental plane of early-type galaxies. Concerning the former relation, these QSOs have higher black hole masses than most Seyfert 1 AGNs with similar velocity dispersions. On the fundamental plane, PG QSOs are located between the regions occupied by moderate-mass and giant ellipticals. The QSO bulge and black hole masses, computed from the stellar velocity dispersions, are of order 1011 and 108 M☉, respectively. The Eddington efficiency of their black holes is on average 0.25, assuming that all of the bolometric luminosity originates from the active nucleus. Our data are consistent with other lines of evidence that Palomar-Green QSOs are related to galaxy mergers with gas-rich components and that they are formed in a manner similar to the most massive ultraluminous infrared galaxies, regardless of their far-infrared emission. However, PG QSOs seem to have smaller host dispersions and different formation mechanisms than QSOs with supermassive black holes of 5 × 108-109 M☉ that accrete at low rates and reside in massive spheroids.

A mid-infrared spectroscopic study of submillimeter galaxies

Abstract: We present rest frame mid-infrared spectroscopy of a sample of 13 submillimeter galaxies, obtained using the Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) on board the Spitzer Space Telescope. We find that the majority are well fitted by a starburst template or by the superposition of PAH emission features and a weak mid-infrared continuum, the latter a tracer of Active Galactic Nuclei that includes Compton-thick ones. We obtain mid-infrared spectroscopic redshifts for all nine sources detected with IRS. For three of them the redshifts were previously unknown. The median value of the redshift distribution is z = 2.79, slightly higher than the median spectroscopic redshift from optical surveys, if we assume that the four IRS non-detections are at high redshift. The rest frame mid-infrared spectral energy distributions are consistent with those of local ultraluminous infrared galaxies, but scaled-up further in luminosity. The mid-infrared spectra support the scenario that submillimeter galaxies are sites of extreme star formation and represent a critical phase in the formation of massive galaxies.

Intense Star Formation and Feedback at High Redshift: Spatially Resolved Properties of the z?=?2.6 Submillimeter Galaxy SMM J14011+0252

Abstract: We present a detailed analysis of the spatially resolved properties of the lensed submillimeter galaxy (SMG) SMM J14011+0252 at z = 2.56, combining deep near-infrared integral-field data obtained with SPIFFI on the VLT with other multiwavelength data sets. As previously discussed by other authors, the broad characteristics of SMM J14011+0252 in particular and submillimeter galaxies in general are in agreement with what is expected for the early evolution of local massive spheroidal galaxies. From continuum and line flux, velocity, and dispersion maps, we measure the kinematics, star formation rates, gas densities, and extinction for individual subcomponents. The star formation intensity is similar to low-redshift "maximal starbursts," while the line fluxes and the dynamics of the emission line gas provide direct evidence for a starburst-driven wind with physical properties very similar to local superwinds. We also find circumstantial evidence for "self-regulated" star formation within J1. The relative velocity of the bluer companion J2 yields a dynamical mass estimate for J1 within ~20 kpc of Mdyn ~ 1 × 1011 M☉. The relative metallicity of J2 is 0.4 dex lower than in J1n/J1s, suggesting different star formation histories. Spectral energy distribution fitting of the continuum peak J1c confirms and substantiates previous suggestions that this component is a z = 0.25 interloper. When removing J1c, the stellar continuum and Hα line emission appear well aligned spatially in two individual components, J1n and J1s, and coincide with two kinematically distinct regions in the velocity map, which might well indicate a merging system. This highlights the close similarity between SMGs and ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs), which are often merger-driven maximal starbursts, and suggests that the intrinsic mechanisms of star formation and related feedback are in fact similar to low-redshift strongly star-forming systems.

PAH emission and star formation in the host of the z ~ 2.56 Cloverleaf QSO

Abstract: We report the first detection of the 6.2 and 7.7 μm infrared polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission features in the spectrum of a high-redshift QSO, from the Spitzer IRS spectrum of the Cloverleaf lensed QSO (H1413+117, z ~ 2.56). The ratio of PAH features and rest-frame far-infrared emission is the same as in lower luminosity star-forming ULIRGs and in local PG QSOs, supporting a predominantly starburst nature of the Cloverleaf's huge far-infrared luminosity (5.4 × 1012 L☉, corrected for lensing). The Cloverleaf's period of dominant QSO activity (LBol ~ 7 × 1013 L☉) is coincident with an intense (star formation rate ~1000 M☉ yr-1) and short (gas exhaustion time ~3 × 107 yr) star-forming event.

Dust covering factor, silicate emission and star formation in luminous QSOs

Abstract: We present Spitzer IRS low resolution, mid-IR spectra of a sample of 25 high luminosity QSOs at 2

Dynamical Properties of z~2 Star Forming Galaxies and a Universal Star Formation Relation

Abstract: We present the first comparison of the dynamical properties of different samples of z~1.4-3.4 star forming galaxies from spatially resolved imaging spectroscopy from SINFONI/VLT integral field spectroscopy and IRAM CO millimeter interferometry. Our samples include 16 rest-frame UV-selected, 16 rest-frame optically-selected and 13 submillimeter galaxies (SMGs). We find that restframe UV- and optically bright (K<20) z~2 star forming galaxies are dynamically similar, and follow the same velocity-size relation as disk galaxies at z~0. In the theoretical framework of rotating disks forming from dissipative collapse in dark matter halos, the two samples require a spin parameter ranging from 0.06 to 0.2. In contrast bright SMGs have larger velocity widths and are much more compact. Hence, SMGs have lower angular momenta and higher matter densities than either of the UV- or optically selected populations. This indicates that dissipative major mergers may dominate the SMGs population, resulting in early spheroids, and that the majority of UV/optically bright galaxies have evolved less violently [...]. These early disks may later evolve into spheroids via disk instabilities or mergers. Because of their small sizes and large densities, SMGs lie at the high surface density end of a universal (out to z=2.5) "Schmidt-Kennicutt" relation between gas surface density and star formation rate surface density with a slope of ~1.7.

Spitzer Quasar and ULIRG Evolution Study (QUEST): II. The Spectral Energy Distributions of Palomar-Green Quasars

Abstract: This is the second paper studying the QSOs in the spitzer QUEST sample. Previously we presented new PAH measurements and argued that most of the observed far infrared (FIR) radiation is due to star-forming activity. Here we present spectral energy distributions (SEDs) by supplementing our data with optical, NIR and FIR observations. We define two sub-groups of ``weak FIR'' and ``strong FIR'' QSOs, and a third group of FIR non-detections. Assuming a starburst origin for the FIR, we obtain ``intrinsic'' AGN SEDs by subtracting a starburst template from the mean SEDs. The resulting SEDs are remarkably similar for all groups. They show three distinct peaks corresponding to two silicate emission features and a 3mic bump that we interpret as the signature of the hottest AGN dust. They also display drops beyond 20mic that we interpret as the signature of the minimum temperature (about 200K) dust. This component must be optically thin to explain the silicate emission and the slope of the long wavelength continuum. We discuss the merits of an alternative model where most of the FIR emission is due to AGN heating. Such models are unlikely to explain the properties of our QSOs but they cannot be ruled out for more luminous objects. We also find correlations between the luminosity at 5100A and two infrared starburst indicators: L(60mic) and L(PAH 7.7mic). The correlation of L(5100A) with L(60mic) can be used to measure the relative growth rates and lifetimes of the black hole and the new stars.

High-ionization mid-infrared lines as black hole mass and bolometric luminosity indicators in active galactic nuclei

Abstract: We present relations of the black hole mass and the optical luminosity with the velocity dispersion and the luminosity of the [Ne V] and the [O IV] high-ionization lines in the mid-infrared (MIR) for 28 reverberation-mapped active galactic nuclei. We used high-resolution Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph and Infrared Space Observatory Short Wavelength Spectrometer data to fit the profiles of these MIR emission lines that originate from the narrow-line region of the nucleus. We find that the lines are often resolved and that the velocity dispersion of [Ne V] and [O IV] follows a relation similar to that between the black hole mass and the bulge stellar velocity dispersion found for local galaxies. The luminosity of the [Ne V] and the [O IV] lines in these sources is correlated with that of the optical 5100A continuum and with the black hole mass. Our results provide a means to derive black hole properties in various types of active galactic nuclei, including highly obscured systems.

Uncovering the Active Galactic Nuclei in Low-Ionization Nuclear Emission-Line Regions with Spitzer

Abstract: The impact of active galactic nuclei on low-ionization nuclear emission-line regions (LINERs) remains a vigorous field of study. We present preliminary results from a study of the mid-infrared atomic emission lines of LINERs with the Spitzer Space Telescope. We assess the ubiquity and properties of AGN in LINERs using this data. We discuss what powers the mid-infrared emission lines and conclude that the answer depends unsurprisingly on the emission line ionization state and, more interestingly, on the infrared luminosity.

Uncovering the active galactic nuclei in low-ionization nuclear emission-line regions with Spitzer

Abstract: The impact of active galactic nuclei on low-ionization nuclear emission-line regions (LINERs) remains a vigorous field of study. We present preliminary results from a study of the mid-infrared atomic emission lines of LINERs with the Spitzer Space Telescope. We assess the ubiquity and properties of AGN in LINERs using this data. We discuss what powers the mid-infrared emission lines and conclude that the answer depends unsurprisingly on the emission line ionization state and, more interestingly, on the infrared luminosity.

PAH emission and star formation in the host of the z~2.56 Cloverleaf QSO

Abstract: We report the first detection of the 6.2micron and 7.7micron infrared `PAH' emission features in the spectrum of a high redshift QSO, from the Spitzer-IRS spectrum of the Cloverleaf lensed QSO (H1413+117, z~2.56). The ratio of PAH features and rest frame far-infrared emission is the same as in lower luminosity star forming ultraluminous infrared galaxies and in local PG QSOs, supporting a predominantly starburst nature of the Cloverleaf's huge far-infrared luminosity (5.4E12 Lsun, corrected for lensing). The Cloverleaf's period of dominant QSO activity (Lbol ~ 7E13 Lsun) is coincident with an intense (star formation rate ~1000 Msun/yr) and short (gas exhaustion time ~3E7yr) star forming event.

Radio and Millimeter Observations of the COSMOS Field

Abstract: The Cosmic Evolution Survey (COSMOS) targets an equatorial two square degree field covering the full electromagnetic spectrum. Here we present first results from observations of the COSMOS field in the millimeter and centimeter regime done with the IRAM 30m/MAMBO array and NRAO's Very Large Array (VLA) at 250GHz and 1.4GHz, respectively.