A Quasar--Companion System Without AGN Outflow at $z \sim 6$: The Case of PSO J083+11

TL;DR

This study examines a high-redshift quasar and its companion galaxy, finding no evidence of AGN-driven outflows and suggesting the system is in a pre-feedback growth phase based on ALMA observations.

Contribution

First detailed ALMA analysis of a $z \\sim 6$ quasar with a companion, showing no signs of AGN outflows and indicating early supermassive black hole growth.

Findings

Both galaxies show typical star formation rates and no [CII] deficit.

Emission is compact with ordered rotation, no AGN-driven outflows detected.

The system is likely in a pre-outflow accretion phase.

Abstract

PSO J083.8371+11.8482, a quasar at $z = 6.34$ with a nearby companion galaxy, provides an opportunity to study the impact of active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity on the surrounding environment during the epoch of reionization. We analyze ALMA observations of the [C\,\textsc{ii}] 158~$\mu$m emission line and the far-infrared (FIR) continuum, which trace cold interstellar gas and dust-reprocessed radiation from star formation and AGN heating. The quasar host shows star formation rates (SFRs) of $544$--$3764~\mathrm{M_{\odot}~yr^{-1}}$ from [C\,\textsc{ii}] and $1861$--$2932~\mathrm{M_{\odot}~yr^{-1}}$ from FIR emission, while the companion galaxy exhibits lower SFRs of $21$--$145$ and $76$--$211~\mathrm{M_{\odot}~yr^{-1}}$ from the same diagnostics. Both galaxies follow typical $L_{\mathrm{[C\,II]}}/L_{\mathrm{FIR}}$ ratios observed in star-forming galaxies and show no evidence for a [C\,\textsc{ii}] deficit, indicating that stellar heating dominates the interstellar medium energetics. The [C\,\textsc{ii}] moment maps reveal compact emission with centrally peaked intensity and ordered rotational kinematics in both systems. Velocity dispersions remain well below values associated with powerful AGN-driven outflows, and no significant morphological asymmetries or disturbed velocity fields indicative of AGN feedback or major mergers are detected, although marginal kinematic substructure in the quasar's high-velocity channels warrants further investigation. Although the companion lies at a projected distance of $18.248 \pm 0.277$~kpc within the quasar proximity zone, neither morphological nor kinematic signatures indicate AGN-driven outflows affecting the circumgalactic medium. We therefore interpret this system as being observed in a pre-outflow accretion phase, where rapid supermassive black hole growth precedes the development of large-scale AGN feedback.