A mid-infrared statistical investigation of clumpy torus model predictions

Abstract

We present new calculations of the Clumpy AGN Tori in a 3D geometry (CAT3D) clumpytorus models, which now include a more physical dust sublimation model as well as activegalactic nucleus (AGN) anisotropic emission. These new models allow graphite grains topersist at temperatures higher than the silicate dust sublimation temperature. This producesstronger near-infrared emission and bluer mid-infrared (MIR) spectral slopes. We make astatistical comparison of the CAT3D model MIR predictions with a compilation of subarcsecondresolution ground-based MIR spectroscopy of 52 nearby Seyfert galaxies (mediandistance of 36 Mpc) and 10 quasars. We focus on the AGN MIR spectral index aMIR andthe strength of the 9.7 μm silicate feature SSil. As with other clumpy torus models, the newCAT3Dmodels do not reproduce the Seyfert galaxies with deep silicate absorption (SSil