Multi-phase AGN-driven outflow in the NLSy1 IRAS 17020+4544. Unveiling dual-feedback and an energy-conserving ionized outflow with MEGARA/GTC integral field spectroscopy

TL;DR

This study reveals a multi-phase, energy-conserving AGN-driven outflow in the NLSy1 galaxy IRAS 17020+4544, combining optical integral-field spectroscopy with molecular and X-ray data to understand feedback mechanisms.

Contribution

First detailed optical integral-field spectroscopic analysis of multi-phase outflows in IRAS 17020+4544, linking ionized, molecular, and X-ray phases to feedback processes.

Findings

Detected fast ionized outflow with velocities ~1460 km/s

Outflows follow energy-conserving and momentum-driven regimes

Ionized outflows are within larger molecular outflows, indicating multi-phase feedback

Abstract

The narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLSy1) galaxy IRAS~17020+4544 is one of the few known sources exhibiting a multi-phase outflow detected in both highly ionized and molecular gas, consistent with AGN feedback operating in an `energy-conserving' regime. We investigate the properties and kinematics of the warm ionized gas using new optical seeing-limited integral-field spectroscopic observations obtained with MEGARA at the Gran Telescopio Canarias in both low- (R$\sim$6000) and medium-resolution (R$\sim$12000) modes. The H$\alpha$ and [OIII]$\lambda$5007 emission lines are modeled with multi-Gaussian fitting to characterize the ionized gas kinematics and derive the energetics of the outflow, which we compare with those of the X-ray and molecular phases. Ionization diagnostic diagrams (WHAN, WHaD, and BPT) are used to investigate the dominant ionization mechanism. We detect a fast ionized outflow traced by both H$\alpha$ and [OIII] emission lines, with similar spatial extensions (R$_\mathrm{out}\sim$1 kpc and $\sim$0.5 kpc) and velocities (v$_\mathrm{out}\sim$1460 and 1240 km s$^{-1}$, respectively), as well as a slower ionized outflow (v$_\mathrm{out}\sim$450 km s$^{-1}$) detected in the secondary component of the [OIII] line. The fast outflow follows an `energy-conserving' regime, while the slower component is consistent with a `momentum-driven' regime. The ionized outflows are enclosed within the molecular outflow detected with NOEMA (R$_\mathrm{CO}$=2.8$\pm$0.3 kpc), and the large momentum boosts derived in both phases suggest efficient AGN feedback, likely dominated by radiatively driven winds (quasar-mode) rather than kinetic (jet-driven) processes. Ionization diagnostics suggest that the outflow is mainly AGN-driven, with potential contributions from star formation and shocks. The molecular outflow dominates, with the ionized phase contributing less to the mass and feedback efficiency.