paper

Compton-thick AGN Characterisation in a Multi-wavelength Context: Insights from the 70-Month \textit{SWIFT}/BAT Catalogue

arXiv:2604.25543 · doi:10.1093/mnras/stag623

Abstract

We analyse Compton-thick active galactic nuclei (CT AGNs), a heavily obscured subclass that challenges traditional X-ray diagnostics. Using 243 sources from the 70-Month \textit{SWIFT}/BAT catalogue (26 CT, 217 non-CT), we investigate their properties across radio, infrared (IR), optical, and X-ray bands. VLASS data reveals slightly higher 2--3~GHz mean luminosities in CT AGNs, suggesting active cores attenuated by circumnuclear absorption. Mid-IR diagnostics show redder colours in CT AGNs, tracing cooler dust, with significant scatter likely driven by host-galaxy dilution. Most CT AGNs fall outside standard WISE selection wedges, highlighting mid-IR selection limitations. BPT diagnostics show that CT AGNs primarily occupy Seyfert regions, indicating isotropic narrow-line properties. CT AGNs favour significantly higher Eddington ratios (), supporting radiation-driven unification where intense accretion maintains high-column density. We also observe a moderate anti-correlation between [NII]/H and . Principal component analysis identifies ionizing power and the accretion-obscuration link as primary variance drivers, though both populations overlap significantly in the PC1--PC2 plane. Machine learning achieved high recall (0.80) using intrinsic X-ray luminosity, [OI]6300 and H luminosities, and colour. This demonstrates the potential for multi-wavelength signatures to verify CT candidates in future deep surveys where X-ray data is limited. Overall, our findings suggest CT AGNs are driven by high obscuration and accretion rates rather than a simple orientation effect.

Accepted and published in MNRAS

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