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CO observations of high-z radio galaxies MRC 2104−242 and MRC 0943−242: spectral-line performance of the Compact Array Broadband Backend

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 09:53 authored by Emonts, BHC, Norris, RP, Feain, I, Miley, G, Sadler, EM, Villar-Martin, M, Mao, MY, Oosterloo, TA, Ekers, RD, Stevens, JB, Wieringa, MH, Coppin, KEK, Tadhunter, CN
We present the first 7-mm observations of two high-redshift, Lyα-bright radio galaxies (MRC 2104−242 and MRC 0943−242) performed with the 2 × 2 GHz instantaneous bandwidth of the Compact Array Broadband Backend (CABB) at the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA). The aim was to search for 12CO(1−0) emission in these systems and test the millimetre capabilities of CABB for performing spectral line observations at high redshifts. We show that the stable band and enhanced velocity coverage of CABB, combined with hybrid array configurations, provide the ATCA with excellent 7-mm capabilities that allow reliable searches for the ground transition of CO at high redshifts. In this paper we explicitly discuss the calibration procedures used to reach our results. We set a firm upper limit to the mass of molecular gas in MRC 2104−242 (z= 2.5) of MH2 2 × 1010 (αx/0.8)M. For MRC 0943−242 (z= 2.9) we derive an upper limit of MH2 2 × 1010 (αx/0.8)M. We also find a tentative 3σ CO detection in the outer part of the giant Lyα halo that surrounds MRC 0943−242. The 30-33 GHz radio continuum of MRC 2104−242 and MRC 0943−242 is reliably detected. Both radio sources show a spectral index of α ≈ −1.5 between 1.4 and 30 GHz, with no evidence for spectral curvature within this range of frequencies.

History

Publication title

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Volume

415

Pagination

655-664

ISSN

1365-2966

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

The definitive published version is available online at: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the physical sciences

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