An X-ray investigation of powerful far-infrared galaxies

Abstract

We present ASCA results on four prototype powerful far-infrared galaxies, Mrk231, Mrk273, Arp220 and NGC6240. The soft X-ray spectra show signatures of thermal emission with temperatures of (0.5-1) keV, which is probably produced in starbursts. Their soft X-ray (0.5-2 keV) luminosities range from 4x10^40 erg/s to 7x10^41 erg/s. The X-ray properties are examined in the context of a starburst. Evidence for a heavily obscured active nucleus is found in Mrk273 and NGC6240. The ASCA spectra of both galaxies show strong iron K emission line features. The hard X-ray emission (E>3 keV) in NGC6240 is most likely the reflected light of a hidden QSO whose intrinsic luminosity is suspected to be \~10^45 erg/s, comparable to the far-IR luminosity. The 2-10 keV emission, possibly related to an AGN, is found in Mrk231. The observed 2-10 keV luminosity is only 2x10^42 erg/s, and the origin of the hard X-ray emission is uncertain due to the low quality of the present data. No evidence for an AGN is found in Arp220 in the X-ray data. However, the soft X-ray emission originating in a starburst is also as weak as the Halpha nebula and near-IR continuum despite the large far-IR excess. The possible existence of a powerful but heavily obscured (Compton-thick) AGN is discussed.