Evidence for absorption due to highly-ionized gas in the radio-quiet quasar PG~1114+445

Authors: George, I.M., Nandra, K., Laor, A., Turner, T.J., Fiore, F., Netzer, H., Mushotzky, R.F.
Journal: ApJ,
Publication Date: scheduled 1997 Dec 20

Abstract

We present results on the X-ray spectrum of the quasar PG 1114+445 from an ASCA observation performed in 1996 June, and a ROSAT observation performed 3 years earlier. We show good agreement between all the datasets can be obtained if the underlying continuum in the 0.2--10 keV band is assumed to be a powerlaw (photon index Gamma ~ 1.8) absorbed by photoionized material. The ionized gas imprints deep absorption edges in the observed spectrum <~ 2 keV due to Ovii and Oviii, from which we determine its column density (~2E22 cm^2) and ionization parameter (Ux~0.1) to be similar to that observed in Seyfert-I galaxies. Unfortunately these data do not allow any strong constraints to be placed on the location, or solid angle subtended by the material at the ionizing source. We also find evidence for absorption in the Fe K-shell band in excess of that predicted from the lower energy features. This implies an Fe/O abundance ratio ~10 times the cosmic value, or an additional screen of more-highly ionized gas, possibly out-flowing from the nucleus. We briefly compare our results with those obtained from other active galaxies.


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