Tracking Outflow using Line-Locking (TOLL). I. The case study of Quasar J221531-174408

TL;DR

This study presents a detailed case analysis of line-locking signatures in quasar outflows, revealing that line-locking is common and highlighting the need for advanced models to explain complex phenomena.

Contribution

First detailed case study of line-locking signatures in a quasar using high-resolution spectra, identifying multiple line-locked pairs and complex systems.

Findings

Detected nine pairs of line-locked C IV doublets

Identified three pairs of line-locked N V doublets

Found one pair of line-locked Si IV doublets

Abstract

Investigating line-locked phenomena within quasars is crucial for understanding the dynamics of quasar outflows, the role of radiation pressure in astrophysical flows, and the star formation history and metallicity of the early universe. We have initiated the Tracking Outflow by Line-Locking (TOLL) project to study quasar outflow by studying line-locking signatures using high-resolution high signal-to-noise ratio quasar spectra. In this paper, we present a case study of the line-locking signatures from QSO J221531-174408. The spectrum was obtained using the Very Large Telescope-UV Visual Echelle Spectrograph. We first identify associated absorbers in the spectrum using CIV, NV, and Si IV doublets and measure their velocity shifts, covering fractions, and column densities through line profile fitting technique. Then we compare the velocity separations between different absorbers, and detect nine pairs of line-locked C IV doublets, three pairs of line-locked N V doublets, and one pair of line-locked SiIV doublets. This is one of the four quasars known to possess line-locked signatures in C IV, Si IV, and N V at the same time. We also find three complex line-locked systems, where three to five absorbers are locked together through multi-ion doublets. Our study suggests that line-locking is a common phenomenon in the quasar outflows, and theoretical models involving more than two clouds and one ionic doublet are needed in the future to explain the formation of these complex line-locking signatures.