A search for 95 GHz class I methanol masers in molecular outflows

TL;DR

This study surveyed 288 molecular outflow sources to detect 95 GHz class I methanol masers, finding higher detection rates in high-mass sources and positive correlations between maser luminosity and outflow properties, supporting shock-related excitation.

Contribution

First large-scale survey linking 95 GHz methanol masers with outflow characteristics, revealing correlations and new detections that enhance understanding of maser excitation mechanisms.

Findings

38% detection rate in high-mass outflows

9% detection rate in low-mass outflows

Positive correlation between maser luminosity and outflow parameters

Abstract

We have observed a sample of 288 molecular outflow sources including 123 high-mass and 165 low-mass sources to search for class I methanol masers at 95 GHz transition and to investigate relationship between outflow characteristics and class I methanol maser emission with the PMO-13.7m radio telescope. Our survey detected 62 sources with 95 GHz methanol masers above 3$\sigma$ detection limit, which include 47 high-mass sources and 15 low-mass sources. Therefore the detection rate is 38% for high-mass outflow sources and 9% for low-mass outflow sources, suggesting that class I methanol maser is relatively easily excited in high-mass sources. There are 37 newly detected 95 GHz methanol masers (including 27 high-mass and 10 low-mass sources), 19 of which are newly identified (i.e. first identification) class I methanol masers (including 13 high-mass and 6 low-mass sources). Statistical analysis for the distributions of maser detections with the outflow parameters reveals that the maser detection efficiency increases with outflow properties (e.g. mass, momentum, kinetic energy and mechanical luminosity of outflows etc.). Systematic investigations of relationships between the intrinsic luminosity of methanol maser and the outflow properties (including mass, momentum, kinetic energy, bolometric luminosity and mass loss rate of central stellar sources) indicate a positive correlations. This further supports that class I methanol masers are collisionally pumped and associated with shocks, where outflows interact with the surrounding ambient medium.