2MASS Reveals a
Large Intrinsic
Fraction of BALQSOs
Xinyu Dai
Francesco Shankar & Gregory R. Sivakoff
(Accepted by ApJ, arxiv:0704:2882)
The Ohio State University
July 2, 2016
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Why Study BALQSOs?:
Understanding the AGN Zoo
Quasars
Radio Galaxies
QSOs
Blazars
Seyferts
Disney ©2004
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Why Study BALQSOs?:
Quasar Outflows and Feedback
MBlack Hole , Mbulge ,
M Halo Related
 Recent Galaxy
Evolution Models
Require Feedback
 BAL Winds Natural
Candidate of QSO
Feedback
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Granato et al 2004
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Intrinsic BALQSO Fraction:
A Key Question
Geometric Models: Opening Angle
 Evolutionary Models: BAL Phase Time
 Related to the Total Energy Released
from AGN Feedback
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BALQSO Fractions in Previous
Studies
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LBQS, ~10% (Weymann et al. 1991)
FIRST, ~14-18% (Becker et al. 2000)
Gravitationally-Lensed Quasar Sample, ~35% (Chartas 2000)
SDSS EDR, ~15% (Tolea et al. 2002)
LBQS, ~15% (Hewett & Foltz 2003)  ~22% after correction
SDSS EDR, ~13.4% (Reichard et al. 2003)
SDSS DR3, ~26% (Trump et al. 2006)
Issues
 Definition
 Sample Size
 Selection Biases
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Absorption Troughs and Dust Extinction in BALQSOs
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SDSS:
Largest BALQSO Catalog To Date
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Trump et al. (2006) IDs 4386 BALQSOs (DR3)
Broader BALQSO Definition (AI Index)
 Absorption Trough: >10%
 Continuous Width: >1000 km/s
 Velocity Range: 0-29000 km/s
26.00.3% BALQSO Fraction
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[10.40.2% Traditional BI Index]
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Extinction and Absorption Troughs
Play a Role
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Absorption Troughs
Extinction
 E(B-V)=0.023
 SMC-Like Dust
Redder
Bands
Reichard et al 2003
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Combined SDSS/2MASS Sample
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BAL Fraction
 J:
37.74.2%
 H:
35.64.5%
 K:
40.43.4%
Trump et al.
 26.00.3%
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Fraction of BALQSOs:
Apparent Magnitude
1.7 < z < 4.38
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1.7 < z < 2.5
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Fraction of BALQSOs:
Absolute Magnitude
1.7 < z < 4.38
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1.7 < z < 2.5
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Understanding the Difference
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Intrinsic LFs of
BAL and non-BAL
differ only in
Normalization
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2MASS
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Small
Obscuration in
BALQSOs

Optical
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Large
Obscuration in
BALQSOs
Non-BAL
BAL
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BAL obsc
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A Large Intrinsic Fraction of
BALQSOs
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43± 2% Under AI
Definition
20 ± 2% Under BI
Definition
 Consistent with
Hewett & Foltz
(2003) of 22
± 4%
(corrected
fraction and
using BI
definition)
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Conclusions
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The fraction of BALQSOs is dependent on the
definition.
The 2MASS fractions more accurately reflect
the intrinsic BALQSO fractions, given a certain
definition.
BI: 10% raw  20% intrinsic
AI: 26% raw  43% intrinsic
More General Outflowing AGNs:
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50% raw  60% intrinsic (Ganguly & Brotherton
2007, arxiv:0710:0588, today)
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Implications of a Large Fraction
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BALQSOs are No Longer A Minor Component
Larger Number of Outflowing AGN
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Wider Semi-Opening Angle
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Total feedback energy
6° (10%)  24° (43%)
Dynamical Challenge?
More challenging when considering the
obscured AGNs and BALQSOs together
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Both have large fractions
Difficult to arrange them simultaneously
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Future Directions
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SDSS DR5 (77429 QSOs)
Deeper IR Surveys (UKIDSS, AGES)
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BAL Fractions in Less Luminous Quasars
Larger Number of SEDs
BAL Fractions in Radio Bands
Theoretical Modeling
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Wind Dynamics
Feedback
Constraining Evolutionary Models
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