{\it NuSTAR} Reveals an Intrinsically X-ray Weak Broad Absorption Line Quasar in the Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxy Markarian 231

Abstract

We present high-energy (3--30 keV) {\it NuSTAR} observations of the nearest quasar, the ultraluminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG) Markarian 231 (Mrk 231), supplemented with new and simultaneous low-energy (0.5--8 keV) data from {\it Chandra}. The source was detected, though at much fainter levels than previously reported, likely due to contamination in the large apertures of previous non-focusing hard X-ray telescopes. The full band (0.5--30 keV) X-ray spectrum suggests the active galactic nucleus (AGN) in Mrk 231 is absorbed by a patchy and Compton-thin (N${}_{\mathrm{H}}\sim 1.2_{-0.3}^{+0.3}\times 10^{23}$ cm${}^{-2}$) column. The intrinsic X-ray luminosity (L${}_{0.5-30keV}\sim 1.0\times 10^{43}$ erg s${}^1$) is extremely weak relative to the bolometric luminosity where the 2--10 keV to bolometric luminosity ratio is $\sim$0.03% compared to the typical values of 2--15%. Additionally, Mrk 231 has a low X-ray-to-optical power law slope (${\alpha }_{\mathrm{OX}}\sim -1.7$). It is a local example of a low-ionization broad absorption line (LoBAL) quasar that is intrinsically X-ray weak. The weak ionizing continuum may explain the lack of mid-infrared [O IV], [Ne V], and [Ne VI] fine-structure emission lines which are present in sources with otherwise similar AGN properties. We argue that the intrinsic X-ray weakness may be a result of the super-Eddington accretion occurring in the nucleus of this ULIRG, and may also be naturally related to the powerful wind event seen in Mrk 231, a merger remnant escaping from its dusty cocoon.

15 pages in ApJ style including 6 figures and 1 table. Accepted for publication in ApJ

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