High mass flow rate in a BAL outflow of quasar SDSS J1130 + 0411

Abstract

ABSTRACT We present the analysis of the absorption troughs of six outflows observed in quasar SDSS J1130 + 0411 ($z$ ≈ 3.98) with radial velocities ranging from −2400 to $-15\, 400$ km s−1. These spectra were taken with the Very Large Telescope/Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph over the rest-frame wavelength range of 1135–1890 Å. In the main outflow system ($v$ ≈ −3200 km s−1), we identify Fe ii and several Fe ii* absorption troughs, as well as Si ii and Si ii* troughs, which we use to determine the electron number density $\log n_e = 2.6_{-0.7}^{+0.8}$ cm−3. Using the column densities of these and other ions, we determine a photoionization solution with hydrogen column density $\log N_H = 21.44_{-0.33}^{+0.24}$ cm−2 and ionization parameter $\log U_H = -1.75_{-0.45}^{+0.28}$. From these values, we derive the distance $R = 16_{-11}^{+23}$ kpc, the average mass flow rate $\dot{M} = 4100_{-2400}^{+6600}$ M⊙ yr−1, and the kinetic luminosity $\log \dot{E}_k = 46.13_{-0.37}^{+0.41}$ erg s−1. This $\dot{E}_k$ is $1.4_{-0.8}^{+2.2}$ per cent of the quasar’s Eddington luminosity, and therefore contributes significantly to AGN feedback.