Jean Surdej

Spectral Energy Distributions of Hard X-Ray Selected Active Galactic Nuclei in the XMM-Newton Medium Deep Survey

We present the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of a hard X-ray selected sample. The sample contains 136 sources with F(2-10 keV)>10^-14 erg/cm^2/s and 132 are AGNs. The sources are detected in a 1 square degree area of the XMM-Newton-Medium Deep Survey where optical data from the VVDS, CFHTLS surveys, and infrared data from the SWIRE survey are available. Based on a SED fitting technique we derive photometric redshifts with sigma(1+z)=0.11 and 6% of outliers and identify AGN signatures in 83% of the objects. This fraction is higher than derived when a spectroscopic classification is available. The remaining 17+9-6% of AGNs shows star-forming galaxy SEDs (SF class). The sources with AGN signatures are divided in two classes, AGN1 (33+6-1%) and AGN2 (50+6-11). The AGN1 and AGN2 classes include sources whose SEDs are fitted by type 1 and type 2 AGN templates, respectively. On average, AGN1s show soft X-ray spectra, consistent with being unabsorbed, while AGN2s and SFs show hard X-ray spectra, consistent with being absorbed. The analysis of the average SEDs as a function of X-ray luminosity shows a reddening of the IR SEDs, consistent with a decreasing contribution from the host galaxy at higher luminosities. The AGNs in the SF classes are likely obscured in the mid-infrared, as suggested by their low L(3-20micron)/Lcorr(0.5-10 keV) ratios. We confirm the previously found correlation for AGNs between the radio luminosity and the X-ray and the mid-infrared luminosities. The X-ray-radio correlation can be used to identify heavily absorbed AGNs. However, the estimated radio fluxes for the missing AGN population responsible for the bulk of the background at E>10 keV are too faint to be detected even in the deepest current radio surveys.We present the SEDs of a hard X-ray selected sample containing 136 sources with F_(2-10 keV) > 10^(-14) erg cm^(-2) s^(-1); 132 are AGNs. The sources are detected in a 1 deg^2 area of the XMM-Newton Medium Deep Survey where optical data from the VVDS and CFHTLS and infrared data from the SWIRE survey are available. Based on a SED fitting technique we derive photometric redshifts with σ(1 + z) = 0.11 and 6% of outliers and identify AGN signatures in 83% of the objects. This fraction is higher than derived when a spectroscopic classification is available. The remaining 17^(+9)_(-6)% of AGNs show star-forming galaxy SEDs (SF class). The sources with AGN signatures are divided in two classes, AGN1 (33^(+6)_(-1)%) and AGN2 (50^(+6)_(-11)%). The AGN1 and AGN2 classes include sources whose SEDs are fitted by type 1 and type 2 AGN templates, respectively. On average, AGN1s show soft X-ray spectra, consistent with being unabsorbed, while AGN2s and SFs show hard X-ray spectra, consistent with being absorbed. The analysis of the average SEDs as a function of X-ray luminosity shows a reddening of the infrared SEDs, consistent with a decreasing contribution from the host galaxy at higher luminosities. The AGNs in the SF classes are likely obscured in the mid-infrared, as suggested by their low L_(3-20 μm)/L^(corr)_(0.5-10 keV) ratios. We confirm the previously found correlation for AGNs between the radio luminosity and the X-ray and the mid-infrared luminosities. The X-ray-radio correlation can be used to identify heavily absorbed AGNs. However, the estimated radio fluxes for the missing AGN population responsible for the bulk of the background at E > 10 keV are too faint to be detected even in the deepest current radio surveys.

The XMM-LSS survey: the Class 1 cluster sample over the initial 5 deg2 and its cosmological modelling

We present a sample of 29 galaxy clusters from the XMM-LSS survey over an area of some 5deg2 out to a redshift of z=1.05. The sample clusters, which represent about half of the X-ray clusters identified in the region, follow well defined X-ray selection criteria and are all spectroscopically confirmed. For all clusters, we provide X-ray luminosities and temperatures as well as masses. The cluster distribution peaks around z=0.3 and T =1.5 keV, half of the objects being groups with a temperature below 2 keV. Our L-T(z) relation points toward self-similar evolution, but does not exclude other physically plausible models. Assuming that cluster scaling laws follow self-similar evolution, our number density estimates up to z=1 are compatible with the predictions of the concordance cosmology and with the findings of previous ROSAT surveys. Our well monitored selection function allowed us to demonstrate that the inclusion of selection effects is essential for the correct determination of the evolution of the L-T relation, which may explain the contradictory results from previous studies. Extensive simulations show that extending the survey area to 10deg2 has the potential to exclude the non-evolution hypothesis, but that constraints on more refined ICM models will probably be limited by the large intrinsic dispersion of the L-T relation. We further demonstrate that increasing the dispersion in the scaling laws increases the number of detectable clusters, hence generating further degeneracy [in addition to sigma8, Omega_m, L(M,z) and T(M,z)] in the cosmological interpretation of the cluster number counts. We provide useful empirical formulae for the cluster mass-flux and mass-count-rate relations as well as a comparison between the XMM-LSS mass sensitivity and that of forthcoming SZ surveys.

The XMM-LSS survey. Survey design and first results

We have designed a medium deep large area X-ray survey with XMM - the XMM Large Scale Structure survey, XMM-LSS - with the scope of extending the cosmological tests attempted using ROSAT cluster samples to two redshift bins between 0

Discovery of a quadruply lensed quasar - The 'clover leaf' H1413 + 117

In November 1986 we began an optical search for examples of gravitational lensing in a sample of highly luminous quasars (HLQs, Mv < –29), with the aims of improving our knowledge of the quasar luminosity function, studying the dark matter content of the Universe, and redetermining some important cosmological parameters. This survey has found one new case of lensing1,2 and the general implications of the search have been summarized3. Here we report the discovery of a second gravitational lens system in the broad absorption line quasar H1413 + 117 (refs 4–6). Four images of comparable brightness are seen, separated by ˜1 arcsec. Spectra obtained of two of the images are identical apart from the presence of sharp absorption lines in one component, which are presumably due to gas clouds along the line of sight. The unique configuration of the images, together with the fairly rare occurrence of this type of quasar, makes it incontrovertible that this is a lensed system, not a cluster of quasars, and this second discovery made by imaging bright quasars establishes the power of the method for finding systems with small separations.

A spectroscopic study of UM 673 A and B - On the size of Lyman-alpha clouds

A study of the Lyα forest spectra (2 A resolution) obtained for the A and B images of the gravitationally lensed high-redshift quasar UM 673 is presented. Higher resolution data of the brightest (A) image are also presented. In the 2 A resolution spectra, all the absorption lines detected at 5 σ in the spectrum of the fainter B image are present in the A image; however, two anticoincidences are found, i.e., two lines in A which do not have a counterpart in B at more than a 3 σ confidence level. Given the fact that corresponding Lyα lines in the spectra of A and B have their equivalent widths well correlated, this proves that both light beams actually cross the same clouds

The Gaia astrophysical parameters inference system (Apsis) - Pre-launch description

The Gaia satellite will survey the entire celestial sphere down to 20th magnitude, obtaining astrometry, photometry, and low resolution spectrophotometry on one billion astronomical sources, plus radial velocities for over one hundred million stars. Its main objective is to take a census of the stellar content of our Galaxy, with the goal of revealing its formation and evolution. Gaias unique feature is the measurement of parallaxes and proper motions with hitherto unparalleled accuracy for many objects. As a survey, the physical properties of most of these objects are unknown. Here we describe the data analysis system put together by the Gaia consortium to classify these objects and to infer their astrophysical properties using the satellites data. This system covers single stars, (unresolved) binary stars, quasars, and galaxies, all covering a wide parameter space. Multiple methods are used for many types of stars, producing multiple results for the end user according to different models and assumptions. Prior to its application to real Gaia data the accuracy of these methods cannot be assessed definitively. But as an example of the current performance, we can attain internal accuracies (RMS residuals) on F,G,K,M dwarfs and giants at G=15 (V=15-17) for a wide range of metallicites and interstellar extinctions of around 100K in effective temperature (Teff), 0.1mag in extinction (A0), 0.2dex in metallicity ([Fe/H]), and 0.25dex in surface gravity (logg). The accuracy is a strong function of the parameters themselves, varying by a factor of more than two up or down over this parameter range. After its launch in November 2013, Gaia will nominally observe for five years, during which the system we describe will continue to evolve in light of experience with the real data.

High-precision photometry by telescope defocussing - II. The transiting planetary system WASP-4

We present high-precision photometry of two transit events of the extrasolar planetary system WASP-5, obtained with the Danish 1.54 m telescope at ESO La Silla. In order to minimise both random and flat-fielding errors, we defocussed the telescope so its point spread function approximated an annulus of diameter 40 pixels (16 00 ). Data reduction was undertaken using standard aperture photometry plus an algorithm for optimally combining the ensemble of comparison stars. The resulting light curves have point-to-point scatters of 0.50 mmag for the first transit and 0.59 mmag for the second. We construct detailed signal to noise calculations for defocussed photometry, and apply them to our observations. We model the light curves with the JKTEBOP code and combine the results with tabulated predictions from theoretical stellar evolutionary models to derive the physical properties of the WASP-5 system. We find that the planet has a mass of Mb = 1.637± 0.075± 0.033 MJup, a radius of Rb = 1.171± 0.056± 0.012 RJup, a large surface gravity of gb = 29.6± 2.8 m s i2 and a density of rb = 1.02±0.14±0.01 rJup (statistical and systematic uncertainties). The planet’s high equilibrium temperature of Teq = 1732± 80 K, makes it a good candidate for detecting secondary eclipses.

The XMM Large-Scale Structure survey: the X-ray pipeline and survey selection function

We present the X-ray pipeline developed for the purpose of the cluster search in the XMM-LSS survey. It is based on a two-stage procedure via a dedicated handling of the Poisson nature of the signal: (1) source detection on multi-resolution wavelet filtered images; (2) source analysis by means of a maximum likelihood fit to the photon images. The source detection efficiency and characterisation are studied through extensive Monte-Carlo simulations. This led us to define two samples of extended sources: the C1 class that is uncontaminated, and the less restrictive C2 class that allows for 50% contamination. The resulting predicted selection function is presented and the comparison to the current XMM-LSS confirmed cluster sample shows very good agreement. We arrive at average predicted source densities of about 7 C1 and 12 C2 per deg 2 , which is higher than any available wide field X-ray survey. We finally notice a substantial deviation of the predicted redshift distribution for our samples from the one obtained using the usual assumption of a flux limited sample.

The XMM-LSS survey: optical assessment and properties of different X-ray selected cluster classes

Context. XMM and Chandra opened a new area for the study of clusters of galaxies not only for cluster physics, but also for the detection of faint and distant clusters that were inaccessible with previous missions. Aims. This article presents 66 spectroscopically confirmed clusters (0.05 \textless= z \textless= 1.5) within an area of 6 deg(2) enclosed in the XMM-LSS survey. Almost two thirds have been confirmed with dedicated spectroscopy only and 10% have been confirmed with dedicated spectroscopy supplemented by literature redshifts. Methods. Sub-samples, or classes, of extended-sources are defined in a two-dimensional X-ray parameter space allowing for various degrees of completeness and contamination. We describe the procedure developed to assess the reality of these cluster candidates using the CFHTLS photometric data and spectroscopic information from our own follow-up campaigns. Results. Most of these objects are low-mass clusters, hence constituting a still poorly studied population. In a second step, we quantify the correlations between the optical properties such as richness or velocity dispersion and the cluster X-ray luminosities. We examine the relation of the clusters to the cosmic web. Finally, we review peculiar compact structures in the surveyed area such as very distant clusters and fossil groups.

Multi-wavelength study of the gravitational lens system RXS J1131-1231. III. Long slit spectroscopy: Micro-lensing probes the QSO structure

Aims. We discuss and characterize micro-lensing among the 3 brightest lensed images (A-B-C) of the gravitational lens system RXS J1131-1231 (a quadruply imaged AGN) by means of long slit optical and NIR spectroscopy. Qualitative constraints on the size of different emission regions are derived. We also perform a spectroscopic study of two field galaxies located within 1.6 arcmin radiu s from the lens. Methods. We decompose the spectra into their individual emission components using a multi-component fitting approach. A complem entary decomposition of the spectra enables us to isolate the macro-lensed fraction of the spectra independently of any spectr al modelling. Results. 1. The data support micro-lensing de-amplification of image s A & C. Not only is the continuum emission microlensed in those images but also a fraction of the Broad Line emitting Region (BLR). 2. Micro-lensing of a very broad component of Mg II emission line suggests that the corresponding emission occurs in a region more compact than the other components of the emission line. 3. We find evidence that a large fraction of the Fe II emission arises in the outer parts of the BLR. We also find a ver y compact emitting region in the ranges 3080-3540 A and 4630-4800 A that is likely associated with Fe II. 4. The [O III] narrow emission line regions are partly spatially resolve d. This enables us to put a lower limit of∼ 110h −1 pc on their intrinsic size. 5. Analysis of Mg II absorption found in the spectra indicates that the absorbin g medium is intrinsic to the quasar, has a covering factor of 20%, and is constituted of small clouds homogeneously distributed in front of the continuum and BLRs. 6. Two neighbour galaxies are detected at redshifts z = 0.10 and z = 0.289. These galaxies are possible members of galaxy groups reported at those redshifts.