(Proposal ID) S15B-060

(PI) Misawa, Toru

(Proposal Title)
Direct Measurement of Quasar Outflow Wind Acceleration

(Abstract)
In this program, we will measure the velocity shift (i.e., acceleration) of 
{narrow} absorption lines (NALs) that are {intrinsic} to the quasars by 
observing 10 bright quasars that have been already observed at least once with 
8-10m class telescopes. Although variation in line strength and/or profile are 
frequently reported (especially in broader absorption lines), no velocity 
shifts are reported with only a few exceptions.  We cannot understand 
acceleration mechanisms without detecting velocity shifts directly. Taking 
radiative force and gravity into consideration, we can estimate the expected 
velocity shift, which depends on the absorber's distance from the flux source 
(R) and the fraction of the luminosity that accelerates the wind (f).  If 
{intrinsic} NALs show a clear velocity shift, we can examine whether NAL 
acceleration (dv/dt) is correlated with the quasar bolometric luminosity (L), 
which would provide direct evidence that radiative force is the dominant 
source of NAL acceleration. If NALs don't show velocity shifts, we will be 
able to place more stringent constraints on the acceptable range of R and f 
and examine whether NAL absorbers are produced by the inter-stellar medium of 
host galaxies. This information can never be accessed by any other observing 
methods.