Halfway to the Peak: Kinematic Signatures of Stable Rotating Disks in Luminous Infrared Galaxies at z = 0.5–0.6
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: We present a kinematic study of six IR-luminous galaxies observed with the Mid-infrared Instrument Medium-resolution Spectrometer (MIRI/MRS) on board JWST. These galaxies lie at z = 0.5–0.6, midway between the present day and the peak of cosmic star formation (SF). Our sample spans a range of SF and active galactic nucleus (AGN) contributions to the mid-IR emission. We characterize the dynamical state of these IR-luminous galaxies and assess how AGN activity influences the kinematics of the interstellar medium. Using mid-IR tomic lines, we map galaxy kinematics beyond the local Universe for the first time. The spatial resolution of MIRI/MRS (3.0 kpc for 0 . ″ 46 at z ∼ 0.55) allows us to resolve the internal kinematics of our targets. We compute kinematic maps in three different emission lines ([Ar II ]6.99 μ m, [Ne II ]12.81 μ m, and H 2 0-0 S(5)6.91 μ m). Using the [Ar II ]6.99 μ m kinematic maps, we derive rotation curves for these sources. All galaxies exhibit ordered rotation, with V / σ ≥ 2, consistent with stable disks. Although some show minor disturbances, we find no strong evidence for recent major mergers or galaxy-wide ionized outflows. We find no correlation between V / σ and AGN fraction, suggesting AGN activity does not significantly disrupt global kinematics or that disk disruption is not required to trigger AGN. However, galaxies with higher AGN fractions show elevated central dispersions, indicating localized turbulence, possibly due to AGN feedback, stellar feedback, accretion, or bulge structure. These IR-luminous galaxies likely represent mature, rotationally supported disks, with AGN activation occurring after disk assembly.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
Institutions: Tufts University, California Institute of Technology, Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, University of Arizona, Johns Hopkins University, University of Hertfordshire, University of Wyoming, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, The University of Texas at Austin, Université Côte d'Azur, Communauté d'universités et d'établissements Université Côte d'Azur, Joint Space Science Institute, University of Maryland, College Park
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,499
OpenAlex ID: W7163513835