Broad-line AGNs at 3.5 < z < 6: The Black Hole Mass Function and a Connection with Little Red Dots

Abstract We present a sample of 62 H α detected broad-line active galactic nuclei (BLAGNs) at redshifts 3.5 < z < 6.8 using data from the CEERS and RUBIES surveys. We select these sources directly from JWST/NIRSpec G395M/F290LP spectra. We use a multistep pre-selection and Bayesian fitting to ensure a high-quality sample of sources with broad Balmer lines and narrow forbidden lines. We compute rest-frame ultraviolet and optical spectral slopes for these objects, and determine that 21 BLAGNs in our sample are also little red dots (LRDs). These LRD BLAGNs, when examined in aggregate, show broader H α line profiles and a higher fraction of broad-to-narrow component H α emission than non-LRD BLAGNs. We find…

• ST
  Space Telescope Science Institute

  Award: JWST-ERS-1345
• DZ
  Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt

  Award: LEGACY 50OR2303