2022ApJ...931..154R -
Astrophys. J., 931, 154-154 (2022/June-1)
Exploring Changes in Quasar Spectral Energy Distributions across C IV Parameter Space.
RIVERA A.B., RICHARDS G.T., GALLAGHER S.C., McCAFFREY T.V., RANKINE A.L., HEWETT P.C. and SHEMMER O.
Abstract (from CDS):
We examine the UV/X-ray properties of 1378 quasars in order to link empirical correlations to theoretical models of the physical mechanisms dominating quasars as a function of mass and accretion rate. The clarity of these correlations is improved when (1) using C IV broad emission line equivalent width (EQW) and blueshift (relative to systemic) values calculated from high signal-to-noise ratio reconstructions of optical/UV spectra and (2) removing quasars expected to be absorbed based on their UV/X-ray spectral slopes. In addition to using the traditional C IV parameter space measures of C IV EQW and blueshift, we define a "C IV || distance" along a best-fit polynomial curve that incorporates information from both C IV parameters. We find that the C IV || distance is linearly correlated with both the optical-to-X-ray slope, αox, and broad-line He II EQW, which are known spectral energy distribution indicators, but does not require X-ray or high spectral resolution UV observations to compute. The C IV || distance may be a better indicator of the mass-weighted accretion rate, parameterized by L/LEdd, than the C IV EQW or blueshift alone, as those relationships are known to break down at the extrema. Conversely, there is only a weak correlation with the X-ray energy index (Γ), an alternate L/LEdd indicator. We find no X-ray or optical trends in the direction perpendicular to the C IV distance that could be used to reveal differences in accretion disk, wind, or corona structure that could be widening the C IV EQW-blueshift distribution. A different parameter (such as metallicity) not traced by these data must come into play.
Abstract Copyright:
© 2022. The Author(s). Published by the American Astronomical Society.
Journal keyword(s):
Quasars - Spectral energy distribution - Black hole physics - X-ray active galactic nuclei
VizieR on-line data:
<Available at CDS (J/ApJ/931/154): fig13.dat>
Simbad objects:
747
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