Properties of Interstellar Medium In Infrared Bright QSOs Probed by [O I]63 micron and [C II]158 micron Emission Lines

Abstract

We present a study of interstellar medium in the host galaxies of 9 QSOs at 0.1<z<0.2 with blackhole masses of 3×107\,M to 3×109\,M based on the far-IR spectroscopy taken with Herschel Space Observatory. We detect the [OI]63μm ([CII]158μm) emission in 6(8) out of 8(9) sources. Our QSO sample has far-infrared luminosities (LFIR)~several times 1011L. The observed line-to-LFIR ratios (LOI/LFIR and LCII/LFIR) are in the ranges of 2.6×10-4-10-2 and 2.8×10-4-2×10-3 respectively (including upper limits). These ratios are comparable to the values found in local ULIRGs, but higher than the average value published so far for z>1 IR bright QSOs. One target, W0752+19, shows an additional broad velocity component (~720 km/s), and exceptionally strong [OI]63μm emission with LOI/LFIR of 10-2, an order of magnitude higher than that of average value found among local (U)LIRGs. Combining with the analyses of the SDSS optical spectra, we conclude that the [OI]63μm emission in these QSOs is unlikely excited by shocks. We infer that the broad [OI]63 micron emission in W0752+19 could arise from the warm and dense ISM in the narrow line region of the central AGN. Another possible explanation is the existence of a dense gas outflow with n H104\,cm-3, where the corresponding broad [CII] emission is suppressed. Based on the far-IR [OI] and [CII] line ratios, we estimate the constraints on the ISM density and UV radiation field intensity of n H 103.3 cm-3 and 103<G0 104.2, respectively. These values are consistent with those found in local Seyfert 1 ULIRGs. In contrast, the gas with broad velocity width in W0752+19 has n H 104.3 cm-3 and G0>104.

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