Open AccessDense molecular gas in quasar host galaxies: a search for HCN emission from BR B1202−0725 at z = 4.695
Author(s) -
Isaak Kate G.,
Chandler Claire J.,
Carilli Christopher L.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2004.07419.x
Subject(s) - physics , astrophysics , quasar , galaxy , luminous infrared galaxy , redshift , astronomy , star formation , infrared , cosmology
ABSTRACT We report on the results of a search using the VLA for redshifted HCN(1–0) emission from the host galaxy of BR B1202−0725, an optically luminous quasar at z = 4.695 . The host galaxy emits strongly in the rest‐frame far‐infrared, and shows characteristics very similar to those of more local ultraluminous infrared galaxies, in which a significant fraction of the far‐infrared emission is powered by star formation. We find a 3σ upper limit to the HCN(1–0) emission of 4.9 × 10 10 K km s −1 pc 2 , assuming a Λ cosmology. This limit is consistent with correlations derived from measurements of HCN, CO, and far‐infrared emission for a sample of more local galaxies including starbursts.