Bohan Yue: Publications

A spatially resolved evolutionary sequence of multi-wavelength AGN host galaxies

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 91̽�� University Press (OUP) 546:4 (2026) stag217

Authors:

Gaoxiang Jin, Guinevere Kauffmann, Y Sophia Dai, Martin J Hardcastle, Bohan Yue

Abstract:

ABSTRACT We study the spatially resolved star formation, gas ionization, and outflow properties of 1813 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) from the MaNGA survey, which we classify into infrared (IR), broad-line (BL), narrow-line (NL), and radio (RD) AGNs based on their mid-infrared colours, optical spectra, and/or radio photometry. We also provide estimations of AGN power at different wavelengths. AGN incidence is found to increase with stellar mass following a power law, with the high-mass end dominated by RDAGNs and the low-mass end dominated by NLAGNs. Compared to their mass-matched non-AGN counterparts, we find that IRAGNs, BLAGNs, and NLAGNs on average show enhanced specific star formation rates, younger stellar populations, and harder ionization towards the centre. RDAGNs, in contrast, show radial profiles similar to quiescent galaxies. [O iii] outflows are more common and stronger in BL/IRAGNs, while RDAGNs on average show no outflow features. The outflow incidence increases with [O iii] luminosity, and the features in BL/IRAGNs on average extend to $\sim$2 kpc from the nuclei. We further discuss a possible evolutionary sequence of AGNs and their host galaxies, where AGNs with strong emission lines or dust tori are present in star-forming galaxies. Later, young compact radio jets emerge, the host galaxies gradually quench, and the AGN hosts eventually evolve into globally quiescent systems with larger radio jets that prevent further gas cooling.

The environments of radio galaxies and quasars in LoTSS data release 2

Astronomy & Astrophysics EDP Sciences 695 (2025) A69-A69

Authors:

T Pan, Y Fu, HJA Rottgering, RJ van Weeren, AB Drake, BH Yue, JW Petley

Abstract:

Aims. The orientation-based unification scheme of radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGNs) asserts that radio galaxies and quasars are essentially the same type of object, but viewed from different angles. To test this unification model, we compared the environments of radio galaxies and quasars, which would reveal similar properties when an accurate model is utilized. Methods. Using the second data release of the LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey (LoTSS DR2), we constructed a sample of 26 577 radio galaxies and 2028 quasars at 0.08 < z < 0.4. For radio galaxies with optical spectra, we further classified them as 3631 low-excitation radio galaxies (LERGs) and 1143 high-excitation radio galaxies (HERGs). We crossmatched these samples with two galaxy cluster catalogs from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Results. We find that 17.1 ± 0.2% of the radio galaxies and 4.1 ± 0.4% of the quasars are associated with galaxy clusters. Luminous quasars are very rare in clusters, while 18.7 ± 0.7% LERGs and 15.2 ± 1.1% HERGs reside in clusters. We also note that in radio galaxies, both HERGs and LERGs tend to reside in the centers of clusters, while quasars do not show a strong preference for their positions in clusters. Conclusions. This study shows that local quasars and radio galaxies exist in different environments, challenging the orientation-based unification model. This means that factors other than orientation may play an important role in distinguishing radio galaxies from quasars. The future WEAVE-LOFAR survey will offer high-quality spectroscopic data for a large number of radio sources and allow for a more comprehensive exploration of the environments of radio galaxies and quasars.

A novel Bayesian approach for decomposing the radio emission of quasars – II. Link between quasar radio emission and black hole mass

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 91̽�� University Press (OUP) 537:2 (2025) 858-875

Authors:

B-H Yue, KJ Duncan, PN Best, MI Arnaudova, LK Morabito, JW Petley, HJA Röttgering, S Shenoy, DJB Smith

Abstract:

ABSTRACT Whether the mass of supermassive black hole ($M_\mathrm{BH}$) is directly linked to the quasar radio luminosity remains a long-debated issue, and understanding the role of $M_\mathrm{BH}$ in the evolution of quasars is pivotal to unveiling the mechanism of active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback. In this work, based on a two-component Bayesian model, we examine how $M_\mathrm{BH}$ affects the radio emission from quasars, separating the contributions from host galaxy star formation (SF) and AGN activity. By modelling the radio flux density distribution of Sloan Digital Sky Survey quasars from the LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey Data Release 2, we find no correlation between $M_\mathrm{BH}$ and star formation rate (SFR) at any mass for quasars at a given redshift and bolometric luminosity. The same holds for AGN activity across most $M_\mathrm{BH}$ values; however, quasars with the top 20 per cent most massive supermassive black holes (SMBHs) are two to three times more likely to host strong radio jets than those with lower mass SMBHs at similar redshift and luminosity. We suggest defining radio quasar populations by their AGN and SF contributions instead of radio loudness; our new definition unifies previously divergent observational results on the role of $M_\mathrm{BH}$ in quasar radio emissions. We further demonstrate that this radio enhancement in quasars with the 20 per cent most massive SMBHs affects only the $\sim 5~{{\rm per\ cent}}$ most radio bright quasars at a given redshift and bolometric luminosity. We discuss possible physical origins of this radio excess in the most massive and radio-bright quasar population, which remains an interest for future study.

A hidden active galactic nucleus population: the first radio luminosity functions constructed by physical process

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters 91̽�� University Press (OUP) 536:1 (2024) L32-L37

Authors:

Leah K Morabito, R Kondapally, PN Best, B-H Yue, JMGHJ de Jong, F Sweijen, Marco Bondi, Dominik J Schwarz, DJB Smith, RJ van Weeren, HJA Röttgering, TW Shimwell, Isabella Prandoni

Abstract:

ABSTRACT Both star formation (SF) and active galactic nuclei (AGNs) play an important role in galaxy evolution. Statistically quantifying their relative importance can be done using radio luminosity functions (RLFs). Until now these relied on galaxy classifications, where sources with a mixture of radio emission from SF and AGN are labelled as either a star-forming galaxy or an AGN. This can cause the misestimation of the relevance of AGN. Brightness temperature measurements at 144 MHz with the International LOw Frequency ARray telescope can separate radio emission from AGN and SF. We use the combination of sub-arcsec and arcsec resolution imaging of 7497 sources in the Lockman Hole and ELAIS-N1 fields to identify AGN components in the sub-arcsec resolution images and subtract them from the total flux density, leaving flux density from SF only. We construct, for the first time, RLFs by physical process, either SF or AGN activity, revealing a hidden AGN population at $L_{\textrm {144 MHz}}$$\lt 10^{24}$ W Hz$^{-1}$. This population is 1.56 $\pm$ 0.06 more than expected for $0.5\lt z\lt 2.0$ when comparing to RLFs by galaxy classification. The star-forming population has only 0.90 $\pm$ 0.02 of the expected SF. These ‘hidden’ AGNs can have significant implications for the cosmic SF rate and kinetic luminosity densities.

Ubiquitous radio emission in quasars: Predominant AGN origin and a connection to jets, dust, and winds

Astronomy & Astrophysics EDP Sciences 691 (2024) A191-A191

Authors:

G Calistro Rivera, DM Alexander, CM Harrison, VA Fawcett, PN Best, WL Williams, MJ Hardcastle, DJ Rosario, DJB Smith, MI Arnaudova, E Escott, G Gürkan, R Kondapally, G Miley, LK Morabito, J Petley, I Prandoni, HJA Röttgering, B-H Yue

Abstract:

We present a comprehensive study of the physical origin of radio emission in optical quasars at redshifts z < 2.5. We focus particularly on the associations between compact radio emission, dust reddening, and outflows identified in our earlier work. Leveraging the deepest low-frequency radio data available to date (LoTSS Deep DR1), we achieve radio detection fractions of up to 94%, demonstrating the virtual ubiquity of radio emission in quasars, and a continuous distribution in radio loudness. Through our analysis of radio properties, combined with spectral energy distribution modelling of deep multiwavelength photometry, we establish that the primary source of radio emission in quasars is the active galactic nucleus (AGN), rather than star formation. Modelling the dust reddening of the accretion disc emission shows a continuous increase in radio detection in quasars as a function of the reddening parameter E(B − V), suggesting a causal link between radio emission and dust reddening. Confirming previous findings, we observe that the radio excess in red quasars is most pronounced for sources with compact radio morphologies and intermediate radio loudness. We find a significant increase in [O III] and C IV outflow velocities for red quasars not seen in our control sample, with particularly powerful [O III] winds in those around the threshold from radio-quiet to radio-loud. Based on the combined characterisation of radio, reddening, and outflow properties in our sample, we favour a model in which the compact radio emission observed in quasars originates in compact radio jets and their interaction with a dusty, circumnuclear environment. In particular, our results align with the theory that jet-induced winds and shocks resulting from this interaction are the origin of the enhanced radio emission in red quasars. Further investigation of this model is crucial for advancing our understanding of quasar feedback mechanisms and their role in galaxy evolution.

91̽��

Bohan Yue

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A spatially resolved evolutionary sequence of multi-wavelength AGN host galaxies

Authors:

Abstract:

The environments of radio galaxies and quasars in LoTSS data release 2

Authors:

Abstract:

A novel Bayesian approach for decomposing the radio emission of quasars – II. Link between quasar radio emission and black hole mass

Authors:

Abstract:

A hidden active galactic nucleus population: the first radio luminosity functions constructed by physical process

Authors:

Abstract:

Ubiquitous radio emission in quasars: Predominant AGN origin and a connection to jets, dust, and winds

Authors:

Abstract:

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91̽��

Bohan Yue

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A spatially resolved evolutionary sequence of multi-wavelength AGN host galaxies

Authors:

Abstract:

The environments of radio galaxies and quasars in LoTSS data release 2

Authors:

Abstract:

A novel Bayesian approach for decomposing the radio emission of quasars – II. Link between quasar radio emission and black hole mass

Authors:

Abstract:

A hidden active galactic nucleus population: the first radio luminosity functions constructed by physical process

Authors:

Abstract:

Ubiquitous radio emission in quasars: Predominant AGN origin and a connection to jets, dust, and winds

Authors:

Abstract: