Gas-poor Hosts and Gas-rich Companions of z ≈ 3.5 Radio Active Galactic Nuclei: ALMA Insights into Jet Triggering and Feedback

Abstract

Cold gaseous systems play important roles in galaxy evolution by possibly providing fuel to ignite active galactic nuclei (AGN) activity and star formation. In this work, we analyze [C ii]158 μm and continuum observations from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array for a sample of four radio AGN at z ≈ 3.5, focusing on eight associated companion cloud systems discovered within projected distances of tens of kiloparsecs or less. The spatial distribution of these companions indicates that the majority of cold gas is not located at the AGN position, i.e., not in their host galaxies. With the assistance of [C ii] at 0 2 resolution, we further confirm the gas-poor nature of the hosts by reanalyzing archival [C i] (a tracer of H2) at ∼2″ resolution. Our sample has [C ii] luminosities in a range of 2.8 × 108 < L[C II]/L⊙ < 4.2 × 109. The L[C II]/LIR ratio, ∼9.4 × 10−4, is consistent with sources discussed in the literature. Our findings show the gas-poor radio AGN hosts have nearby gas-rich companions. We propose that these companions may be stripped clouds resulting from merger processes, which could be a trigger of radio-loud AGN. They may also be a signature of negative AGN feedback (e.g., shock heating) on these infalling companions and on the host galaxy. In general, our analysis shows that powerful AGN at and before Cosmic Noon are impacting and being impacted by cold gaseous clouds in their circumgalactic or protointracluster media.