Using Photoionization Modeling and Line Diagnostics to Quantify Feedback from AGN Driven Outflows

Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) can deliver feedback to their host galaxies by driving powerful outflows of molecular and ionized gas that may clear the bulge of star forming gas and regulate the supermassive black hole (SMBH) accretion rate. Using spatially resolved Hubble Space Telescope (HST) spectra and [O III] imaging, emission line diagnostics, and Cloudy photoionization models, we aim to quantify feedback from narrow line region outflows in nearby Seyfert AGN. This technique allows us to quantify mass outflow rates and energetics as functions of distance from the supermassive black hole (SMBH), and to probe the physical conditions of the ionized gas. We present here our techniques for modeling the outflows using Cloudy, and discuss the results of our analysis for several Seyfert galaxies. The discussion will emphasize modeling details relevant to a wide range of astrophysical situations including emission line diagnostics to constrain the ionizing continuum, element abundances, dust grain content, gas temperature, and density.

Presentation given at the "Walking the Line 2018" Workshop held at Arizona State University.