A Physical Model of FeLoBALs: Implications for Quasar Feedback

Understand

Photoionization modeling of the low-ionization broad absorption lines of certain quasars, known as FeLoBALs, has recently revealed the number density of the wind absorbers and their distance from the central supermassive black hole.

• From these, the feedback efficiency of the quasars can in principle be derived.
• The implied properties of the FeLoBALs are, however, surprising, with the thickness of the absorbers relative to their distance from the black hole, Delta R/R, as small as ~10^-5.
• Such absorbers are unlikely to survive the journey from the supermassive black hole to their inferred location.