Star formation efficiency and AGN feedback in narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies with fast X-ray nuclear winds

TL;DR

This study investigates molecular gas and star formation efficiency in narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies with ultra fast X-ray winds, revealing high star formation rates and potential AGN feedback effects, but minimal quenching influence.

Contribution

First systematic analysis linking AGN-driven winds to star formation efficiency in narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies, highlighting correlations with Eddington ratio and AGN luminosity.

Findings

Most galaxies are above the main sequence with short depletion times.

A correlation exists between star formation efficiency and Eddington ratio.

AGN activity appears to have little or no quenching effect on star formation.

Abstract

We present the first systematic study of the molecular gas and star formation efficiency in a sample of ten narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies selected to have X-ray Ultra Fast Outflows and, therefore, to potentially show AGN feedback effects. CO observations were obtained with the IRAM 30m telescope in six galaxies and from the literature for four galaxies. We derived the stellar mass, star formation rate, AGN and FIR dust luminosities by fitting the multi-band spectral energy distributions with the CIGALE code. Most of the galaxies in our sample lie above the main sequence (MS) and the molecular depletion time is one to two orders of magnitude shorter than the one typically measured in local star-forming galaxies. Moreover, we found a promising correlation between the star formation efficiency and the Eddington ratio, as well as a tentative correlation with the AGN luminosity. The role played by the AGN activity in the regulation of star formation within the host galaxies of our sample remains uncertain (little or no effect? positive feedback?). Nevertheless, we can conclude that quenching by the AGN activity is minor and that star formation will likely stop in a short time due to gas exhaustion by the current starburst episode.