# ALMA Multiple-Transition Observations of High Density Molecular Tracers in Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies

## TL;DR

This study uses ALMA to observe multiple molecular line transitions in ULIRGs, revealing higher HCN flux ratios in AGN-hosting galaxies and evidence of shock activity and molecular outflows.

## Contribution

First multi-transition ALMA observations of molecular lines in ULIRGs, linking flux ratios to AGN activity and shock phenomena.

## Key findings

- Higher HCN-to-HCO+ flux ratios in AGN-important ULIRGs
- Detection of vibrationally excited HCN line in one ULIRG
- Evidence of molecular outflows and shock activity in several sources

## Abstract

We present the results of our ALMA observations of eleven (ultra)luminous infrared galaxies ((U)LIRGs) at J=4-3 of HCN, HCO+, HNC and J=3-2 of HNC. This is an extension of our previously published HCN and HCO+ J=3-2 observations to multiple rotational J-transitions of multiple molecules, to investigate how molecular emission line flux ratios vary at different J-transitions. We confirm that ULIRGs that contain or may contain luminous obscured AGNs tend to show higher HCN-to-HCO+ flux ratios than starburst galaxies, both at J=4-3 and J=3-2. For selected HCN-flux-enhanced AGN-important ULIRGs, our isotopologue H13CN, H13CO+, and HN13C J=3-2 line observations suggest a higher abundance of HCN than HCO+ and HNC, which is interpreted to be primarily responsible for the elevated HCN flux in AGN-important galaxies. For such sources, the intrinsic HCN-to-HCO+ flux ratios after line opacity correction will be higher than the observed ratios, making the separation between AGNs and starbursts even larger. The signature of the vibrationally excited (v2=1f) HCN J=4-3 emission line is seen in one ULIRG, IRAS 12112-0305 NE. P Cygni profiles are detected in the HCO+ J=4-3 and J=3-2 lines toward IRAS 15250+3609, with an estimated molecular outflow rate of ~250-750 Mo/year. The SiO J=6-5 line also exhibits a P Cygni profile in IRAS 12112+0305 NE, suggesting the presence of shocked outflow activity. Shock tracers are detected in many sources, suggesting ubiquitous shock activity in the nearby ULIRG population.