Implications for galaxy property estimation revealed by CO luminosity-FWHM relations in local star-forming galaxies

TL;DR

This paper investigates the CO luminosity-FWHM linewidth relation in local star-forming galaxies, revealing its dependence on galaxy properties and proposing a method to estimate these properties using the relation.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of the CO LFR dependence on galaxy properties and suggests a new approach for galaxy property estimation based on this relation.

Findings

Valid CO LFR observed in selected galaxy subsample

Intercept of CO LFR correlates with galaxy properties

Proposes a method to estimate galaxy properties from CO LFR

Abstract

This study explores a relationship between the CO luminosity-full width at half-maximum linewidth linear relation (i.e. the CO LFR) and mean galaxy property of the local star-forming galaxy sample in the xCOLDGASS data base, via a mathematical statement. The whole data base galaxies were separated into two subsamples based on their stellar masses and redshifts, being a help to examine the dependence issue of the CO LFR. Selecting the galaxy data with a stringent requirement was also implemented in order to assure the validly of the CO LFR. An algorithm of the linear regression was conducted with the data of the subsample. An assessment about the linear correlation manifested a valid CO LFR occurs in the selected galaxy of the subsample, and the intercept of the CO LFR may be related with the mean galaxy properties such as the molecular gas fraction and galaxy size. For the finding on the intercept of the CO LFR, we aligned that intercept with those galaxy properties via the involvement of a $\psi$ parameter. On evaluating the $\psi$ value with our local star-forming galaxy sample, we numerically determined a relationship between the statistical result and the galaxy property in a different stellar mass range. It also shows a possible method on estimating galaxy property.