Non-detection of broad hydrogen radio recombination lines in the Circinus galaxy

Abstract

ABSTRACT The line widths of broad-line regions (BLRs) of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are key parameters for understanding central supermassive black holes. However, owing to obscuration from dusty tori, optical recombination lines from BLRs in type II AGNs cannot be directly detected. Radio recombination lines (RRLs), with low extinction, could be ideal tracers to probe the emission from BLRs in type II AGNs. We performed RRL observations for H35α and H36α towards the centre of the Circinus galaxy with Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The narrow components of H35α and H36α, which are thought to be mainly from star-forming regions around the nuclear region, are detected. However, only upper limits are obtained for broad H35α and H36α. Because Circinus is one of the nearest AGNs, the non-detection of broad RRLs in Circinus in this band tells us that it is hopeless to try to detect broad RRL emission in local AGNs with current facilities. Submillimetre RRLs, with flux densities that are dozens of times higher than those at the millimetre level, could be the tools to directly detect BLRs in type II AGNs with ALMA, once its backend frequency coverage has been upgraded to several times better than its current capabilities.