X-rays from the Highly Polarized Broad Absorption Line QSO CSO 755
Abstract
We present results from a BeppoSAX observation of the BAL QSO CSO 755, observed as part of our program to investigate the X-ray properties of highly polarized BAL QSOs. CSO 755 is clearly detected by the BeppoSAX MECS, making it the highest redshift (z=2.88) and most optically luminous (M_V=-27.4) BAL QSO seen in X-rays. It is detected in several energy bands including the rest-frame 21-39 keV band, but we are only able to place loose constraints upon its X-ray spectral shape. Our X-ray detection is consistent with the hypothesis that the BAL QSOs with high optical continuum polarization tend to be the X-ray brighter members of the class. We examine a scattering interpretation of a polarization/X-ray flux connection, and we discuss the data needed to prove or refute such a connection. We also discuss a probable ROSAT detection of CSO 755. The observed-frame 2-10 keV flux from BeppoSAX (1.3 x 10^{-13} erg cm^{-2} s^{-1}) is high enough to allow XMM spectroscopy, and studies of iron K line emission should prove of particular interest if a large amount of scattered X-ray flux is present.
Cite
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/9909284,
title = {X-rays from the Highly Polarized Broad Absorption Line QSO CSO 755},
author = {W. N. Brandt and A. Comastri and S. C. Gallagher and R. M. Sambruna and Th. Boller and A. Laor},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/9909284},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
13 pages, ApJL accepted, also available from http://www.astro.psu.edu/users/niel/papers/papers.html