Unraveling the Complex Structure of AGN-driven Outflows. IV. Comparing AGNs with and without Strong Outflows

Abstract

Active galactic nucleus (AGN)-driven outflows are considered as one of the processes driving the coevolution of supermassive black holes with their host galaxies. We present integral field spectroscopy of six Type 2 AGNs at z  < 0.1, which are selected as AGNs without strong outflows based on the kinematics of [O iii ] gas. Using spatially resolved data, we investigate the ionized gas kinematics and photoionization properties in comparison with AGNs with strong outflows. We find significant difference between the kinematics of ionized gas and stars for two AGNs, which indicates the presence of AGN-driven outflows. Nevertheless, the low velocity and velocity dispersion of ionized gas indicate relatively weak outflows in these AGNs. Our results highlight the importance of spatially resolved observation in investigating gas kinematics and identifying the signatures of AGN-driven outflows. While it is unclear what determines the occurrence of outflows, we discuss the conditions and detectability of AGN-driven outflows based on a larger sample of AGNs with and without outflows, suggesting the importance of gas content in the host galaxies.