Weak-emission-line quasar SDSS J101353.45+492758.1

Context. Weak-emission-line quasars (WLQs) are active galactic nuclei (AGNs) characterized by unusually faint or absent broad emission lines. A subset also exhibits pronounced X-ray weakness, offering keys insights into accretion flow structure and the physical state of the broad-line region. Aims. We present a broadband study of the WLQ SDSS J101353.45+492758.1, which displays a nearly featureless UV–optical spectrum with only a weak Mg II line alongside an exceptionally low X-ray flux. Methods. We modeled its spectral energy distribution using the relativistic thin-disk model kerrbb with a power law and the multicomponent AGN model relagn , a physically motivated extension of agnsed that incorporates warm and hot Comptonizing regions. Our fits constrain the black hole (BH) mass, accretion rate, X-ray loudness, and coronal energetics. Results. Both approaches yield consistent BH masses of M BH ≈ 2 × 10 9 M ⊙ and an Eddington accretion rate of ṁ ≈ 0.1. The relagn fit, which includes a warm Comptonizing region, provides a significantly improved representation of the UV-soft X-ray continuum. The warm corona, characterized by kT e ≃ 0.20 keV, Γ ≃ 3.8, and an optical depth τ ≃ 7.26, extends to ∼34 R g . The hot corona appears compact and energetically suppressed, leading to an intrinsically weak X-ray output with log( L X / L bol )≃ − 4.29, among the lowest reported for WLQs. The α OX ∼ 2.06 indicates the source is in a high (soft) AGN spectral state. Conclusions. The combination of a luminous, standard disk and an extremely weak hot corona suggests that this quasar hosts a highly inefficient inner coronal region. This explains its X-ray faintness and extreme deficit of high-ionization emission lines. The source may represent an AGN analog in an “ultrasoft” accretion state, or a system in which the ionizing continuum is suppressed by a compact or quenched corona. Our study suggests that the source is not accreting at a high Eddington ratio, highlighting the physical diversity of WLQs, and supports the view that geometric and radiative effects jointly shape WLQs’ extreme spectral properties.

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Journal
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Published
2026-03-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202558737
Primary Topic
Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations
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article
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article

Weak-emission-line quasar SDSS J101353.45+492758.1

M. Nikołajuk, P. T. Życki, K. Hryniewicz, L. Gibaud et al.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations
article

Weak-emission-line quasar SDSS J101353.45+492758.1

M. Nikołajuk, P. T. Życki, K. Hryniewicz, L. Gibaud, R. Wojaczyński, A. Różańska
article en

Abstract

Context. Weak-emission-line quasars (WLQs) are active galactic nuclei (AGNs) characterized by unusually faint or absent broad emission lines. A subset also exhibits pronounced X-ray weakness, offering keys insights into accretion flow structure and the physical state of the broad-line region. Aims. We present a broadband study of the WLQ SDSS J101353.45+492758.1, which displays a nearly featureless UV–optical spectrum with only a weak Mg II line alongside an exceptionally low X-ray flux. Methods. We modeled its spectral energy distribution using the relativistic thin-disk model kerrbb with a power law and the multicomponent AGN model relagn , a physically motivated extension of agnsed that incorporates warm and hot Comptonizing regions. Our fits constrain the black hole (BH) mass, accretion rate, X-ray loudness, and coronal energetics. Results. Both approaches yield consistent BH masses of M BH ≈ 2 × 10 9 M ⊙ and an Eddington accretion rate of ṁ ≈ 0.1. The relagn fit, which includes a warm Comptonizing region, provides a significantly improved representation of the UV-soft X-ray continuum. The warm corona, characterized by kT e ≃ 0.20 keV, Γ ≃ 3.8, and an optical depth τ ≃ 7.26, extends to ∼34 R g . The hot corona appears compact and energetically suppressed, leading to an intrinsically weak X-ray output with log( L X / L bol )≃ − 4.29, among the lowest reported for WLQs. The α OX ∼ 2.06 indicates the source is in a high (soft) AGN spectral state. Conclusions. The combination of a luminous, standard disk and an extremely weak hot corona suggests that this quasar hosts a highly inefficient inner coronal region. This explains its X-ray faintness and extreme deficit of high-ionization emission lines. The source may represent an AGN analog in an “ultrasoft” accretion state, or a system in which the ionizing continuum is suppressed by a compact or quenched corona. Our study suggests that the source is not accreting at a high Eddington ratio, highlighting the physical diversity of WLQs, and supports the view that geometric and radiative effects jointly shape WLQs’ extreme spectral properties.

Astronomy and AstrophysicsVol. 708
National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (IN), Universidade do Porto (PT), Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center (PL), Polish Academy of Sciences (PL)
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Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations
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