From binary to singular: The AGN PSO J334.2028+1.4075 under the high-resolution scope

Abstract

Context. PSO J334.2028+1.4075 (PSO J334) is a luminous quasar located at redshift z = 2.06. The source gained attention when periodic flux density variations were discovered in its optical light curve. These variations were initially interpreted as the variability due to the orbital motion of a supermassive black hole binary (SMBHB) residing in a single circumbinary accretion disk. The orbital separation was determined to be 0.006 pc with an in-spiral time of 7 yr in the rest frame of PSO J334. These findings suggested the quasar could be in the gravitational wave emitting phase of its merger and so extended multiwavelength observations were commenced. However, subsequent observations provided evidence against the binary hypothesis as no optical periodicity was found on extended time baselines. On the other hand, detailed radio analysis with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) and the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) revealed a lobe-dominated quasar at kiloparsec scales, and possibly a precessing jet, which could retain PSO J334 as a binary SMBH candidate. Aims. We aim to study both the large- and small-scale radio structures in PSO J334 to provide additional evidence for or against the binary scenario. Methods. We observed the source at 1.7 GHz with the European Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network (EVN), and at 1.5 and 6.2 GHz with the VLA, at frequencies that complement the previous radio interferometric study. Results. Our images reveal a single component at parsec scales slightly resolved in the southeast-northwest direction and a lobe-dominated quasar at kiloparsec scales with a complex structure. The source morphology and polarization in our VLA maps suggest that the jet is interacting with dense clumps of the ambient medium. While we also observe a misalignment between the inner jet and the outer lobes, we suggest that this is due to the restarted nature of the radio jet activity and the possible presence of a warped accretion disk rather than due to the perturbing effects of a companion SMBH. Conclusions. Our analysis suggests that PSO J334 is most likely a jetted active galactic nucleus with a single SMBH, and there is no clear evidence of a binary SMBH system in its central engine.