We construct the average radio spectral energy distribution (SED) of highly star-forming galaxies (HSFGs) up to z ∼ 4. Infrared and radio luminosities are bound by a tight correlation that is defined by the so-called q parameter. This infrared-radio correlation provides the basis for the use of radio luminosity as a star-formation tracer. Recent stacking and survival analysis studies find q to be decreasing with increasing redshift. It was pointed out that a possible cause of the redshift trend could be the computation of rest-frame radio luminosity via a single power-law assumption of the star-forming galaxies' (SFGs) SED. To test this, we constrained the shape of the radio SED of a sample of HSFGs. To achieve a broad rest-frame frequency range, we combined previously published Very Large Array observations of the COSMOS field at 1.4 GHz and 3 GHz with unpublished Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope (GMRT) observations at 325 MHz and 610 MHz by employing survival analysis to account for non-detections in the GMRT maps. We selected a sample of HSFGs in a broad redshift range (z ∈ [0.3, 4], SFR ≥ 100 M / yr) and constructed the average radio SED. By fitting a broken power-law, we find that the spectral index changes from α 1 = 0.42 ± 0.06 below a rest-frame frequency of 4.3 GHz to α 2 = 0.94 ± 0.06 above 4.3 GHz. Our results are in line with previous low-redshift studies of HSFGs ( SFR > 10 M / yr) that show the SED of HSFGs to differ from the SED found for normal SFGs ( SFR < 10 M / yr). The difference is mainly in a steeper spectrum around 10 GHz, which could indicate a smaller fraction of thermal free-free emission. Finally, we also discuss the impact of applying this broken power-law SED in place of a simple power-law in K-corrections of HSFGs and a typical radio SED for normal SFGs drawn from the literature. We find that the shape of the radio SED is unlikely to be the root cause of the q − z trend in SFGs.

Optically-compact star-forming galaxies (SFGs) have been proposed as immediate progenitors of quiescent galaxies, although their origin and nature are debated. Were they formed in slow secular processes or in rapid merger-driven starbursts? Addressing this question would provide fundamental insight into how quenching occurs. We explore the location of the general population of galaxies with respect to fundamental star-forming and structural relations, identify compact SFGs based on their stellar core densities, and study three diagnostics of the burstiness of star formation: 1) Star formation efficiency, 2) interstellar medium (ISM), and 3) radio emission. The overall distribution of galaxies in the fundamental relations points towards a smooth transition towards quiescence while galaxies grow their stellar cores, although some galaxies suddenly increase their specific star-formation rate when they become compact. From their star formation efficiencies compact and extended SFGs appear similar. In relation to the ISM diagnostic, by studying the CO excitation, the density of the neutral gas, and the strength of the ultraviolet radiation field, compact SFGs resemble galaxies located in the upper envelope of the SFGs main sequence, although yet based on a small sample size. Regarding the radio emission diagnostic we find that galaxies become increasingly compact as the starburst ages, implying that at least some compact SFGs are old starbursts. We suggest that compact SFGs could be starburts winding down and eventually crossing the main sequence towards quiescence.

The infrared-radio correlation (IRRC) underpins many commonly used radio luminosity–star formation rate (SFR) calibrations. In preparation for the new generation of radio surveys we revisit the IRRC of low-z galaxies by (a) drawing on the best currently available IR and 1.4 GHz radio photometry, plus ancillary data over the widest possible area, and (b) carefully assessing potential systematics. We compile a catalogue of ∼9,500 z &lt; 0.2 galaxies and derive their 1.4 GHz radio (L1.4), total IR, and monochromatic IR luminosities in up to seven bands, allowing us to parameterize the wavelength-dependence of monochromatic IRRCs from 22–500 μm. For the first time for low-z samples, we quantify how poorly matched IR and radio survey depths bias measured median IR/radio ratios, $\overline{q}_{\mathrm{TIR}}$, and discuss the level of biasing expected for low-z IRRC studies in ASKAP/MeerKAT fields. For our subset of ∼2,000 high-confidence star-forming galaxies we find a median $\overline{q}_{\mathrm{TIR}}$ of 2.54 (scatter: 0.17 dex). We show that $\overline{q}_{\mathrm{TIR}}$ correlates with L1.4, implying a non-linear IRRC with slope 1.11±0.01. Our new L1.4–SFR calibration, which incorporates this non-linearity, reproduces SFRs from panchromatic SED fits substantially better than previous IRRC-based recipes. Finally, we match the evolutionary slope of recently measured $\overline{q}_{\mathrm{TIR}}$–redshift trends without having to invoke redshift evolution of the IRRC. In this framework, the redshift evolution of $\overline{q}_{\mathrm{TIR}}$ reported at GHz frequencies in the literature is the consequence of a partial, redshift-dependent sampling of a non-linear IRRC obeyed by low-z and distant galaxies.

A et al. (2020) FR-type radio sources at 3 GHz VLA-COSMOS: relation to physical properties and large-scale environment. Astronomy and Astrophysics. pp. 1-49.

Context. Given the unprecedented depth achieved in current large radio surveys, we are starting to probe populations of radio sources that have not been studied in the past. However, identifying and categorising these objects, differing in size, shape and physical properties, is becoming a more difficult task. Aims. In this data paper we present and characterise the multi-component radio sources identified in the VLA-COSMOS Large Project at 3 GHz (0.75 arcsec resolution, 2.3 µJy/beam rms), i.e. the radio sources which are composed of two or more radio blobs. Methods. The classification of objects into multi-components was done by visual inspection of 351 of the brightest and most extended blobs from a sample of 10,899 blobs identified by the automatic code blobcat. For that purpose we used multi-wavelength information of the field, such as the 1.4-GHz VLA-COSMOS data and the UltraVISTA stacked mosaic available for COSMOS. Results. We have identified 67 multi-component radio sources at 3 GHz: 58 sources with AGN powered radio emission and 9 starforming galaxies. We report 8 new detections that were not observed by the VLA-COSMOS Large Project at 1.4 GHz, due to the slightly larger area coverage at 3 GHz. The increased spatial resolution of 0.75 arcsec has allowed us to resolve (and isolate) multiple emission peaks of 28 extended radio sources not identified in the 1.4-GHz VLA-COSMOS map. We report the multi-frequency flux densities (324 MHz, 325 MHz, 1.4 GHz & 3 GHz), star-formation-rates, and stellar masses of these objects. We find that multicomponent objects at 3-GHz VLA-COSMOS inhabit mainly massive galaxies (> 10 10.5 M ). The majority of the multi-component AGN lie below the main-sequence of star-forming galaxies (SFGs), in the green valley and the quiescent region. Furthermore, we provide detailed description of the objects and find that amongst the AGN there are 2 head-tail, 10 core-lobe, 9 wide-angle-tail (WAT), 8 double-double or Z-/X-shaped, 3 bent-tail radio sources, and 26 symmetric sources, while amongst the SFGs we find the only starforming ring seen in radio emission in COSMOS. Additionally, we report a large number (32/58) of disturbed/bent multi-component AGN, 18 of which do not lie within X-ray groups in COSMOS (redshift range 0.08 ≤ z < 1.53). Conclusions. The high angular resolution and sensitivity of the 3-GHz VLA-COSMOS data-set give us the opportunity to identify peculiar radio structures and sub-structures of multi-component objects, and relate them to physical phenomena such as AGN or starforming galaxies. This study illustrates the complexity of the µJy radio-source population; at the sensitivity and resolution of 3-GHz VLA-COSMOS, the radio structures of AGN and SFG both emitting radio continuum emission, become comparable in the absence of clear, symmetrical jets. Thus, disentangling the AGN and SFG contributions using solely radio observations can be misleading in a number of cases. This has implications for future surveys, such as done by SKA and precursors, which will identify hundr...