The origin of large emission line widths in massive galaxies at redshifts z ∼ 3–4

Abstract

ABSTRACT We present a sample of 22 massive galaxies with stellar masses >1010 M⊙ at 3 < z < 4 with deep H and K-band high resolution spectra (R = 3500–3000) from Keck/MOSFIRE and VLT/KMOS near-infrared spectrographs. We find a large fraction have strong [O iii] 5007 and Hβ emission lines with large line widths (σ 100–450 km s−1). We measure the sizes of our galaxies from Hubble Space Telescope images and consider the potential kinematic scaling relations of our sample, and rule out an explanation for these broad lines in terms of galaxy-wide kinematics. Based on consideration of the [O iii] 5007/Hβ flux ratios, their location in the mass–excitation diagram, and the derived bolometric luminosities, we conclude that active galactic nuclei (AGN) and their narrow-line regions most likely give rise to this emission. At redshifts 3 < z < 4, we find significantly high AGN fractions in massive galaxies, ranging from 60–70 per cent for the mass range 10 < log (M⋆/M⊙) < 11, with a lower limit 30 per cent for all galaxies within that redshift range when we apply our most stringent AGN criteria. We also find a considerably lower AGN fraction in massive quiescent galaxies, ranging from 20–30 per cent. These fractions of AGN point to the period between 3 < z < 4 being a time of heightened activity for the development of supermassive black holes in the massive end of the galaxy population and provide evidence for their role in the emergence of the first massive quenched galaxies at this epoch.