Decoupling luminosity, evolution and orientation effects in AGN

Computer Science

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Scientific paper

With this proposal we will decouple luminosity effects from evolutionary effects in matched samples of radio-loud and radio-quiet quasars, and determine the amount of radiation that is absorbed and reprocessed by the torus, and how this depends on luminosity and orientation. We have constructed a well-defined sample of radio-quiet quasars from the SDSS, spanning two decades in optical luminosity at a single cosmic epoch, to constrain luminosity dependent effects on the hot dust emission from the obscuring torus, without caveats of luminosity - redshift degeneracies, a fundamental problem in flux-density limited sample. Crucially, we have also defined a sample of radio-loud quasars selected in exactly the same way as the radio-quiet quasars, allowing us to address what effect radio emission may have on the dust properties of quasars. Finally, by selecting a sample of radio galaxies matched to have the same distribution in radio luminosity as the radio-loud quasars we will determine how orientation influences the near- and mid-IR SEDs, and in particular obtain a firm hold on the geometry of the obscuring torus. Thus, this data will allow us to directly address all facets of AGN unification. Our sample will also be proposed for Herschel as an Open Time Key Project. Crucially, combining the data from Spitzer with far-infrared data from Herschel and SCUBA2 will allow us, for the first time, to measure the complete dust-sensitive SED for a statistically complete sample of AGN at a single cosmic epoch. Obtaining Spitzer observations of this sample is vital if we are to continue using large area surveys in a variety of wavebands to study AGN over the history of the Universe. It is both timely, and only recently possible to undertake this investigation. Thus, this proposal is the crucial first step in obtaining a benchmark sample with which to use in analysing future survey data across the wavebands to constrain the evolution in accretion and star-formation activity over the history of the Universe.

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