J/ApJ/764/9 High-z MgII absorption QSOs with FIRE. II. (Matejek+, 2013)
Mg II absorption at 2 < z < 6 with Magellan/FIRE.
II. A longitudinal study of H I, metals, and ionization in galactic halos.
Matejek M.S., Simcoe R.A., Cooksey K.L., Seyffert E.N.
<Astrophys. J., 764, 9 (2013)>
=2013ApJ...764....9M 2013ApJ...764....9M
ADC_Keywords: QSOs ; Redshifts ; Equivalent widths
Keywords: galaxies: evolution; galaxies: halos; galaxies: high-redshift;
infrared: general; intergalactic medium; quasars: absorption lines
Abstract:
We present a detailed study of HI and metals for 110 MgII absorption
systems discovered at 1.98≤z≤5.33 in the infrared spectra of
high-redshift QSOs. Using new measurements of rest-frame UV lines from
optical spectra of the same targets, we compare the high-redshift
sample with carefully constructed low-redshift control samples from
the literature to study evolutionary trends from z=0-->5.33 (>12Gyr).
We observe a significant strengthening in the characteristic N(HI) for
fixed MgII equivalent width as one moves toward higher redshift.
Indeed, at our sample's mean =3.402, all MgII systems are either
damped Lyα absorbers (DLAs) or sub-DLAs, with 40.7% of systems
exceeding the DLA threshold (compared to 16.7% at =0.927). We set
lower limits on the metallicity of the MgII systems where we can
measure HI; these results are consistent with the full DLA population.
The classical MgII systems (W(λ2796)0=0.3-1.0Å), which
preferentially associate with sub-DLAs, are quite metal rich at ∼0.1
solar. We applied quantitative classification metrics to our absorbers
to compare with low-redshift populations, finding that weak systems
are similar to classic MgII absorbers at low redshift. The strong
systems either have very large MgII and FeII velocity spreads implying
non-virialized dynamics or are more quiescent DLAs. There is tentative
evidence that the kinetically complex systems evolve in similar
fashion to the global star formation rate. We speculate that if weaker
MgII systems represent accreting gas as suggested by recent studies of
galaxy-absorber inclinations, then their high metal abundance suggests
re-accretion of recently ejected material rather than first-time
infall from the metal-poor intergalactic medium, even at early times.
Description:
Briefly, we observed 46 QSO sightlines with Magellan/FIRE, between
2010 June and 2011 April (FWHM spectral resolution∼50km/s).
See Paper I (Matejek+, 2012, Cat. J/ApJ/761/112) and section 2.1 for
further details.
Rest-frame UV transitions such as Lyα and numerous carbon,
silicon, and aluminum transitions are redshifted into the optical
window for z>1.7 absorption systems, making these measurements easily
accessible from the ground. We obtained new or archival optical
spectra for 39 of the 46 QSO sightlines in our survey using data from
four different instruments (Magellan/MagE, MIKE, HIRES or SDSS-DR7).
We conducted an extensive compilation of low-redshift (z<2.5) metal
absorption lines previously reported in the literature to complement
our high-redshift survey (see table 3 and section 2.3).
File Summary:
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FileName Lrecl Records Explanations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ReadMe 80 . This file
linefire.dat 28 37 List of sight lines observed with FIRE
(table added by CDS)
lowz.dat 26 197 List of sight lines in the low-z compilation
(table added by CDS)
table2.dat 86 110 Absorption properties for the FIRE MgII-selected
sample: Mg ions
table3.dat 113 313 The low redshift compilation sample
table5.dat 51 33 Absorption properties for the FIRE MgII-selected
sample: HI1215 and OI1302
table6.dat 120 110 Absorption properties for the FIRE MgII-selected
sample: Fe ions
table7.dat 118 61 Absorption properties for the FIRE MgII-selected
sample: Si ions
table8.dat 116 68 Absorption properties for the FIRE MgII-selected
sample: C and Al ions
refs.dat 65 23 References
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See also:
VII/260 : The SDSS-DR7 quasar catalog (Schneider+, 2010)
J/ApJ/763/37 : Metals in SDSS QSOs. I. 1.5<z<4.5 CIV (Cooksey+, 2013)
J/ApJ/761/112 : Pap. I. MgII absorption QSOs with FIRE (Matejek+, 2012)
J/ApJ/748/131 : MgII absorbers in SDSS-DR7 quasar catalog (Shen+, 2012)
J/ApJS/194/45 : QSO properties from SDSS-DR7 (Shen+, 2011)
J/ApJ/724/L176 : MgII absorbing gas around galaxies (Chen+, 2010)
J/ApJ/714/1521 : Spectroscopy of galaxies around distant QSOs (Chen+, 2010)
J/ApJ/698/819 : MgII and LRGs cross-correlation analysis (Lundgren+, 2009)
J/ApJ/679/239 : Associated MgII absorbers (Vanden+, 2008)
J/ApJ/660/1093 : Weak MgII absorbers at 0.4<z<2.4 (Narayanan+, 2007)
J/ApJS/171/29 : UCSD/Keck DLA Abundance Database (Prochaska+, 2007)
J/ApJ/639/766 : SDSS-DR3 strong MgII absorbers (Prochter+, 2006)
J/ApJ/636/610 : Damped Lyα systems at z<1.65 (Rao+, 2006)
J/MNRAS/371/495 : Cat. of 1806 MgII absorbers from SDSS DR3 (Bouche+, 2006)
J/ApJ/635/123 : The SDSS-DR3 damped Lyα survey (Prochaska+, 2005)
J/MNRAS/354/L25 : MgII absorbers in SDSS QSOs (Bouche+, 2004)
J/A+A/283/759 : CIV QSO absorption systems (Petitjean+ 1994)
Byte-by-byte Description of file: linefire.dat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bytes Format Units Label Explanations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1- 13 A13 --- SLine Sightline as in tables 2, 5-8
15- 28 A14 --- SName Name understandable by SIMBAD
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Byte-by-byte Description of file: lowz.dat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bytes Format Units Label Explanations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1- 10 A10 --- SLine Sightline as in table 3 (HHMM+DDMM; B1950)
12- 26 A15 --- SName Name understandable by SIMBAD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Byte-by-byte Description of file: table2.dat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bytes Format Units Label Explanations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1- 3 I3 --- Seq [1/110] Running sequence number
4 A1 --- f_Seq [bd] Suspect result (1)
6- 18 A13 --- SLine Sightline name
20- 24 F5.3 --- z [1.9/5.4] Redshift
26- 30 F5.3 0.1nm W2796 [0.08/5.6] MgII2796 rest-frame equivalent width
32- 36 F5.3 0.1nm e_W2796 [0.01/0.2] W2796 uncertainty
38- 42 F5.3 0.1nm W2803 [0.08/5.1] MgII2803 rest-frame equivalent width
44- 48 F5.3 0.1nm e_W2803 [0.01/0.2] W2803 uncertainty
50 A1 --- l_W2852 3σ upper limit flag on W2852
52- 56 F5.3 0.1nm W2852 [0.02/1.6]? MgI2852 rest-frame equivalent width
57 A1 --- f_W2852 [c] c: blended line
59- 63 F5.3 0.1nm e_W2852 [0.004/0.1]? W2852 uncertainty
65- 86 A22 --- Class Classification
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note (1): Flag as follows:
b = suspected false positive
d = W(λ2796)0 and W(λ2803)0 values adjusted relative
to Paper I (Matejek+, 2012, Cat. J/ApJ/761/112).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Byte-by-byte Description of file: table3.dat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bytes Format Units Label Explanations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1- 4 A4 --- ID Identification number (L1 to L313)
6- 15 A10 --- SLine Sightline (HHMM+DDMM; B1950)
17- 21 F5.3 --- zQSO [0.5/4.7] QSO redshift
23- 27 F5.3 --- z [0.005/2.5] Redshift
29- 33 F5.3 0.1nm W2796 [0.03/5.8] Equivalent width of 2796 line
35- 39 F5.3 0.1nm e_W2796 [0/0.5] Uncertainty in W2796
41 A1 --- l_W1215 The 5σ limit flag on W1215
42- 47 F6.3 0.1nm W1215 [0.3/18.1]? Equivalent width of 1215 line
49 A1 --- f_W1215 [c] Blended line (1)
51- 55 F5.3 0.1nm e_W1215 [0/1.1]? Uncertainty in W1215
57 A1 --- l_W1393 The 5σ limit flag on W1393
58- 62 F5.3 0.1nm W1393 ? Equivalent width of 1393 line
64 A1 --- f_W1393 [c] Blended line (1)
66- 70 F5.3 0.1nm e_W1393 ? Uncertainty in W1393
72 A1 --- l_W1548 The 5σ limit flag on W1548
73- 77 F5.3 0.1nm W1548 ? Equivalent width of 1548 line
79- 83 F5.3 0.1nm e_W1548 ? Uncertainty in W1548
85 A1 --- l_W2600 The 5σ limit on W2600
86- 90 F5.3 0.1nm W2600 [0.004/3.4]? Equivalent width of 2600 line
92 A1 --- f_W2600 [cdef] Blend, or identified line (1)
94- 98 F5.3 0.1nm e_W2600 [0/0.3]? Uncertainty in W2600
100-113 A14 --- Ref Reference(s) (see refs.dat file)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note (1): Flag as follows:
c = Blended line.
d = FeII 2382.
e = FeII 2586.
f = FeII 1608.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Byte-by-byte Description of file: table5.dat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bytes Format Units Label Explanations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1- 3 I3 --- Seq [2/100] Index number
5- 17 A13 --- SLine Sightline name
19- 23 F5.3 --- z [2.5/4.5] Redshift
25- 30 F6.3 0.1nm W1215 [1.2/36.8] HI1215 rest-frame equivalent-width
32- 36 F5.3 0.1nm e_W1215 [0.002/1.1] W1215 uncertainty
38 A1 --- l_W1302 Limit flag on W1302
39- 43 F5.3 0.1nm W1302 ? OI1302 rest-frame equivalent-width
45 A1 --- f_W1302 [b] b: blended line
47- 51 F5.3 0.1nm e_W1302 [0.002]? W1302 uncertainty
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Byte-by-byte Description of file: table6.dat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bytes Format Units Label Explanations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1- 3 I3 --- Seq [1/110] Running sequence number
4 A1 --- f_Seq [b] b: suspected false positive
6- 18 A13 --- SLine Sightline name
20- 24 F5.3 --- z [1.9/5.4] Redshift
26 A1 --- l_W1608 3σ upper limit flag on W1608
28- 32 F5.3 0.1nm W1608 [0.02/0.9]? FeII1608 rest-frame equivalent width
34 A1 --- f_W1608 [c] c: blended line
36- 40 F5.3 0.1nm e_W1608 [0.009/0.2]? W1608 uncertainty
42 A1 --- l_W2344 3σ upper limit flag on W2344
44- 48 F5.3 0.1nm W2344 [0.02/2.5]? FeII2344 rest-frame equivalent width
50 A1 --- f_W2344 [c] c: blended line
52- 56 F5.3 0.1nm e_W2344 [0.006/0.2]? W2344 uncertainty
58 A1 --- l_W2374 3σ upper limit flag on W2374
60- 64 F5.3 0.1nm W2374 [0.01/2.3]? FeII2374 rest-frame equivalent width
66 A1 --- f_W2374 [c] c: blended line
68- 72 F5.3 0.1nm e_W2374 [0.008/0.2]? W2374 uncertainty
74 A1 --- l_W2382 3σ upper limit flag on W2382
76- 80 F5.3 0.1nm W2382 [0.01/3.4]? FeII2382 rest-frame equivalent width
82 A1 --- f_W2382 [c] c: blended line
84- 88 F5.3 0.1nm e_W2382 [0.007/0.2]? W2382 uncertainty
90 A1 --- l_W2586 3σ upper limit flag on W2586
92- 96 F5.3 0.1nm W2586 [0.03/2.5]? FeII2586 rest-frame equivalent width
98 A1 --- f_W2586 [c] c: blended line
100-104 F5.3 0.1nm e_W2586 [0.007/0.2]? W2586 uncertainty
106 A1 --- l_W2600 3σ upper limit flag on W2600
108-112 F5.3 0.1nm W2600 [0.03/3.4]? FeII2600 rest-frame equivalent width
114 A1 --- f_W2600 [c] c: blended line
116-120 F5.3 0.1nm e_W2600 [0.008/0.4]? W2600 uncertainty
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Byte-by-byte Description of file: table7.dat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bytes Format Units Label Explanations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1- 3 I3 --- Seq Running sequence number
4 A1 --- f_Seq [b] b: suspected false positive
6- 18 A13 --- SLine Sightline name
20- 24 F5.3 --- z [2.2/5.4] Redshift
26 A1 --- l_W1260 3σ upper limit flag on W1260
28- 32 F5.3 0.1nm W1260 [0.09/0.4]? SiII1260 rest-frame equivalent width
34 A1 --- f_W1260 [c] c: blended line
36- 40 F5.3 0.1nm e_W1260 [0.02/0.05]? W1260 uncertainty
42 A1 --- l_W1304 3σ upper limit flag on W1304
44- 48 F5.3 0.1nm W1304 [0.007/0.5]? SiII1304 rest-frame equivalent width
50- 54 F5.3 0.1nm e_W1304 [0.001/0.008]? W1304 uncertainty
56 A1 --- l_W1393 3σ upper limit flag on W1393
58- 62 F5.3 0.1nm W1393 [0.06/1.6]? SiIV1393 rest-frame equivalent width
64 A1 --- f_W1393 [c] c: blended line
66- 70 F5.3 0.1nm e_W1393 [0.004/0.09]? W1393 uncertainty
72 A1 --- l_W1402 3σ upper limit flag on W1402
74- 78 F5.3 0.1nm W1402 [0.03/0.9]? SiIV1402 rest-frame equivalent width
80 A1 --- f_W1402 [c] c: blended line
82- 86 F5.3 0.1nm e_W1402 [0.003/0.09]? W1402 uncertainty
88 A1 --- l_W1526 3σ upper limit flag on W1526
90- 94 F5.3 0.1nm W1526 [0.02/1]? SiII1526 rest-frame equivalent width
96 A1 --- f_W1526 [c] c: blended line
98-102 F5.3 0.1nm e_W1526 [0.002/0.2]? W1526 uncertainty
104 A1 --- l_W1808 3σ upper limit flag on W1808
106-110 F5.3 0.1nm W1808 [0.03/0.8]? SiII1808 rest-frame equivalent width
112 A1 --- f_W1808 [c] c: blended line
114-118 F5.3 0.1nm e_W1808 [0.003/0.013]? W1808 uncertainty
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Byte-by-byte Description of file: table8.dat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bytes Format Units Label Explanations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1- 3 I3 --- Seq Index number
4 A1 --- f_Seq [b] b: suspected false positive
6- 18 A13 --- SLine Sightline (HHMM+DDMM; B1950)
20- 24 F5.3 --- z [2/5.4] Redshift
26 A1 --- l_W1334 3σ upper limit flag on W1334
28- 32 F5.3 0.1nm W1334 [0.03/0.9]? CII1334 rest-frame equivalent width
34- 38 F5.3 0.1nm e_W1334 [0.002/0.06]? W1334 uncertainty
40 A1 --- l_W1548 3σ upper limit flag on W1548
42- 46 F5.3 0.1nm W1548 [0.02/1.4]? CIV1548 rest-frame equivalent width
48- 52 F5.3 0.1nm e_W1548 [0.002/0.2]? W1548 uncertainty
54 A1 --- l_W1550 3σ upper limit flag on W1550
56- 60 F5.3 0.1nm W1550 [0.02/1.3]? CIV1550 rest-frame equivalent width
62 A1 --- f_W1550 [c] c: blended line
64- 68 F5.3 0.1nm e_W1550 [0.002/0.2]? W1550 uncertainty
70 A1 --- l_W1670 3σ upper limit flag on W1670
72- 76 F5.3 0.1nm W1670 [0.02/1.2]? AlII1670 rest-frame equivalent width
78 A1 --- f_W1670 [c] c: blended line
80- 84 F5.3 0.1nm e_W1670 [0.006/0.2]? W1670 uncertainty
86 A1 --- l_W1854 3σ upper limit flag on W1854
88- 92 F5.3 0.1nm W1854 [0.02/2.2]? AlIII1854 rest-frame equivalent width
94 A1 --- f_W1854 [c] c: blended line
96-100 F5.3 0.1nm e_W1854 [0.006/0.2]? W1854 uncertainty
102 A1 --- l_W1862 3σ upper limit flag on W1862
104-108 F5.3 0.1nm W1862 [0.02/2.1]? AlIII1862 rest-frame equivalent width
110 A1 --- f_W1862 [c] c: blended line
112-116 F5.3 0.1nm e_W1862 [0.006/0.07]? W1862 uncertainty
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Byte-by-byte Description of file: refs.dat
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Bytes Format Units Label Explanations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1- 2 I2 --- Ref Reference number
4- 22 A19 --- BibCode Bibcode
24- 46 A23 --- Aut Author's name(s)
48- 65 A18 --- Comm Comment
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History:
From electronic version of the journal
References:
Matajek et al. Paper I. 2012ApJ...761..112M 2012ApJ...761..112M Cat. J/ApJ/761/112
(End) Greg Schwarz [AAS], Emmanuelle Perret [CDS] 22-Oct-2014