On the link between associated Mg II absorbers and star formation in quasar hosts

Abstract

A few percent of quasars show strong associated Mg II absorption, with velocities (v off) lying within a few thousand km s-1 from the quasar systemic redshift. These associated absorption line (AAL) systems are usually interpreted as absorbers that are either intrinsic to the quasar and its host, or arising from external galaxies clustering around the quasar. Using composite spectra of 1800 Mg II AAL quasars selected from SDSS DR7 at 0.4 ≲ z ≲ 2, we show that quasars with AALs with v off < 1500 km s-1 have a prominent excess in [O II] λ3727 emission (detected at >7σ) at rest relative to the quasar host, compared to unabsorbed quasars. We interpret this [O II] excess as due to enhanced star formation in the quasar host. Our results suggest that a significant fraction of AALs with v off < 1500 km s-1 are physically associated with the quasar and its host. AAL quasars also have dust reddening lying between normal quasars and the so-called dust-reddened quasars. We suggest that the unique properties of AAL quasars can be explained if they are the transitional population from heavily dust-reddened quasars to normal quasars in the formation process of quasars and their hosts. This scenario predicts a larger fraction of young bulges, disturbed morphologies, and interactions of AAL quasar hosts compared to normal quasars. The intrinsic link between associated absorbers and quasar hosts opens a new window to probe massive galaxy formation and galactic-scale feedback processes, and provides a crucial test of the evolutionary picture of quasars. © 2012. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved..