High-Ionization Mid-Infrared Lines as Black Hole Mass and Bolometric Luminosity Indicators in Active Galactic Nuclei

February 2008 • 2008ApJ...674L...9D

Authors • Dasyra, K. M. • Ho, L. C. • Armus, L. • Ogle, P. • Helou, G. • Peterson, B. M. • Lutz, D. • Netzer, H. • Sturm, E.

Abstract • We present relations of the black hole mass and the optical luminosity with the velocity dispersion and the luminosity of the [Ne V] and the [O IV] high-ionization lines in the mid-infrared (MIR) for 28 reverberation-mapped active galactic nuclei. We used high-resolution Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph and Infrared Space Observatory Short Wavelength Spectrometer data to fit the profiles of these MIR emission lines that originate from the narrow-line region of the nucleus. We find that the lines are often resolved and that the velocity dispersion of [Ne V] and [O IV] follows a relation similar to that between the black hole mass and the bulge stellar velocity dispersion found for local galaxies. The luminosity of the [Ne V] and the [O IV] lines in these sources is correlated with that of the optical 5100 Å continuum and with the black hole mass. Our results provide a means to derive black hole properties in various types of active galactic nuclei, including highly obscured systems.

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IPAC Authors
(alphabetical)

Lee Armus

Senior Scientist

George Helou

IPAC Executive Director