Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: We present Chandra observations of 63 sources from the Gemini Near Infrared Spectrograph−Distant Quasar Survey, of which 54 were targeted by snapshot observations in Cycle 24. A total of 55 sources are clearly detected in at least one X-ray band, and we set stringent upper limits on the X-ray fluxes of the remaining eight sources. In combination with rest-frame ultraviolet–optical spectroscopic data for these sources, we assess whether X-rays can provide a robust accretion rate indicator for quasars, particularly at the highest accessible redshifts. We utilize a recently modified Hβ-based Eddington luminosity ratio estimator, as well as the C iv λ1549 emission-line parameter space, to investigate trends and correlations with the optical–X-ray spectral slope (α ox) and the effective hard X-ray power-law photon index (Γ). We find that α ox does not improve current accretion rate estimates based on Hβ or C iv. Instead, within the limitations of our sample, we confirm previous findings that the C iv parameter space may be a better indicator of the accretion rate up to z ∼ 3.5. We also find that the average Γ values for a small subset of our sources, as well as the average Γ value in different groupings of our sources, are consistent with their respective relatively high Eddington luminosity ratios. Deeper X-ray observations of our X-ray-detected sources are needed for measuring Γ accurately and testing whether this parameter can serve as a robust, unbiased accretion rate diagnostic.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,499
Awards: G1390571956, G3561758408, G3815726687
OpenAlex ID: W4414299191