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This program is part of QUEST (Quasar/ULIRG Evolutionary Study) and seeks to examine the gaseous environments of z < 0.3 quasars and ULIRGs as a function of host galaxy properties and age across the merger sequence from ULIRGs to quasars. This first paper in the series focuses on 33 quasars from the QUEST sample and on the kinematics of the highly ionized gas phase traced by the N V 1238, 1243 A and O VI 1032, 1038 A absorption lines in high-quality Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) data. N V and O VI outflows are present in about 60% of the QUEST quasars and span a broad range of properties, both in terms of equivalent widths (from 20 mA to 25 A) and kinematics (outflow velocities from a few x 100 km/s up to ~10,000 km/s). The rate of incidence and equivalent widths of the highly ionized outflows are higher among X-ray weak or absorbed sources. The weighted outflow velocity dispersions are highest among the X-ray weakest sources. No significant trends are found between the weighted outflow velocities and the properties of the quasars and host galaxies although this may be due to the limited dynamic range of properties of the current sample. These results will be re-examined in an upcoming paper where the sample is expanded to include the QUEST ULIRGs. Finally, a lower limit of ~0.1% on the ratio of time-averaged kinetic power to bolometric luminosity is estimated in the 2-4 objects with blueshifted P V 1117, 1128 absorption features., Comment: 37 pages, 14 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal

We present the detection, performed with the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) and the Karl Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), of a fast HI 21-cm outflow in the ultra-luminous infrared galaxy Mrk 231. The outflow is observed as shallow HI absorption blueshifted ~1300 km/s with respect to the systemic velocity and located against the inner kpc of the radio source. The outflowing gas has an estimated column density between 5 and 15x10^18 Tspin cm^-2. We derive the Tspin to lie in the range 400-2000 K and the densities are n_HI~10-100 cm^-3. Our results confirm the multiphase nature of the outflow in Mrk231. Although effects of the interaction between the radio plasma and the surrounding medium cannot be ruled out, the energetics and the lack of a clear kpc-scale jet suggest that the most likely origin of the HI outflow is a wide-angle nuclear wind, as earlier proposed to explain the neutral outflow traced by NaI and molecular gas. Our results suggest that an HI component is present in fast outflows regardless of the acceleration mechanism (wind vs jet driven) and that it must be connected with common properties of the pre-interaction gas. Considering the observed similarity of their column densities, the HI outflow likely represents the inner part of the broad wind identified on larger scales in NaI. The mass outflow rate of the HI outflow does not appear to be as large as the one observed in molecular gas. These characteristics suggest that the HI may represent a short intermediate phase in the rapid cooling of the gas. We also obtained deeper continuum images than previously available. At the resolution of ~1arcsec we do not see a kpc-scale jet. Instead, we detect a plateau of emission, likely due to star formation, surrounding the bright nuclear region. We also detect a poorly collimated bridge which may represent the channel feeding the southern lobe., Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics, 11 pages, 9 figures

We present a NuSTAR, Chandra, and XMM--Newton survey of nine of the nearest ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs). The unprecedented sensitivity of NuSTAR at energies above 10 keV enables spectral modeling with far better precision than was previously possible. Six of the nine sources observed were detected sufficiently well by NuSTAR to model in detail their broadband X-ray spectra, and recover the levels of obscuration and intrinsic X-ray luminosities. Only one source (IRAS 13120--5453) has a spectrum consistent with a Compton--thick AGN, but we cannot rule out that a second source (Arp 220) harbors an extremely highly obscured AGN as well. Variability in column density (reduction by a factor of a few compared to older observations) is seen in IRAS 05189--2524 and Mrk 273, altering the classification of these border-line sources from Compton-thick to Compton-thin. The ULIRGs in our sample have surprisingly low observed fluxes in high energy (>10 keV) X-rays, especially compared to their bolometric luminosities. They have lower ratios of unabsorbed 2--10 keV to bolometric luminosity, and unabsorbed 2--10 keV to mid-IR [O IV] line luminosity than do Seyfert 1 galaxies. We identify IRAS 08572+3915 as another candidate intrinsically X-ray weak source, similar to Mrk 231. We speculate that the X-ray weakness of IRAS 08572+3915 is related to its powerful outflow observed at other wavelengths., Comment: 17 pages, 9 figures, 4 tables; Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal

Phase fluctuations introduced by the atmosphere are the main limiting factor in attaining diffraction limited performance in extended interferometric arrays at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths. We report the results of C-PACS, the Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-Wave Astronomy Paired Antenna Calibration System. We present a systematic study of several hundred test observations taken during the 2009-2010 winter observing season where we utilize CARMA's eight 3.5-m antennas to monitor an atmospheric calibrator while simultaneously acquiring science observations with 6.1-m and 10.4-m antennas on baselines ranging from a few hundred meters to ~2 km. We find that C-PACS is systematically successful at improving coherence on long baselines under a variety of atmospheric conditions. We find that the angular separation between the atmospheric calibrator and target source is the most important consideration, with consistently successful phase correction at CARMA requiring a suitable calibrator located $\lesssim$6$^\circ$ away from the science target. We show that cloud cover does not affect the success of C-PACS. We demonstrate C-PACS in typical use by applying it to the observations of the nearby very luminous infrared galaxy Arp 193 in $^{12}$CO(2-1) at a linear resolution of ~70 pc (0.12" x 0.18"), 3 times better than previously published molecular maps of this galaxy. We resolve the molecular disk rotation kinematics and the molecular gas distribution and measure the gas surface densities and masses on 90 pc scales. We find that molecular gas constitutes $\sim30\%$ of the dynamical mass in the inner 700 pc of this object with a surface density $\sim10^4 M_\odot$ pc$^{-2}$; we compare these properties to those of the starburst region of NGC 253., Comment: 19 pages, 18 figures

We present a detailed analysis of Hubble Space Telescope (HST), Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) G141 grism spectroscopy for seven star-forming regions of the highly magnified lensed starburst galaxy RCSGA 032727-132609 at z=1.704. We measure the spatial variations of the extinction in RCS0327 through the observed H$\gamma$/H$\beta$ emission line ratios, finding a constant average extinction of $\mathrm{E(B-V)_{gas}}=0.40\pm0.07$. We infer that the star formation is enhanced as a result of an ongoing interaction, with measured star formation rates derived from demagnified, extinction-corrected H$\beta$ line fluxes for the individual star-forming clumps falling >1-2 dex above the star formation sequence. When combining the HST/WFC3 [OIII]$\lambda$5007/H$\beta$ emission line ratio measurements with [NII]/H$\alpha$ line ratios from Wuyts et a. (2014), we find that the majority of the individual star-forming regions fall along the local "normal" abundance sequence. With the first detections of the He I $\lambda$5876 and He II $\lambda$4686 recombination lines in a distant galaxy, we probe the massive-star content of the star-forming regions in RCS0327. The majority of the star-forming regions have a He I $\lambda$5876 to H$\beta$ ratio consistent with the saturated maximum value, which is only possible if they still contain hot O-stars. Two regions have lower ratios, implying that their last burst of new star formation ended ~5 Myr ago. Together, the He I $\lambda$5876 and He II $\lambda$4686 to H$\beta$ line ratios provide indirect evidence for the order in which star formation is stopping in individual star-forming knots of this high redshift merger. We place the spatial variations of the extinction, star formation rate and ionization conditions in the context of the star formation history of RCS0327., Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in ApJ

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$_{\rm H} \sim1.2^{+0.3}_{-0.3}\times10^{23}$ cm$^{-2}$) column. The intrinsic X-ray luminosity (L$_{\rm 0.5-30 keV}\sim1.0\times10^{43}$ 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_{\rm 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., Comment: 15 pages in ApJ style including 6 figures and 1 table. Accepted for publication in ApJ

We present the results of a 21-cm HI survey of 27 local massive gas-rich late-stage mergers and merger remnants with the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT). These remnants were selected from the Quasar/ULIRG Evolution Study (QUEST) sample of ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs; L$_{8-1000 \mu m} > 10^{12}$ L$_\odot$) and quasars; our targets are all bolometrically dominated by active galactic nuclei (AGN) and sample the later phases of the proposed ULIRG-to-quasar evolutionary sequence. We find the prevalence of HI absorption (emission) to be 100% (29%) in ULIRGs with HI detections, 100% (88%) in FIR-strong quasars, and 63% (100%) in FIR-weak quasars. The absorption features are associated with powerful neutral outflows that change from being mainly driven by star formation in ULIRGs to being driven by the AGN in the quasars. These outflows have velocities that exceed 1500 km s$^{-1}$ in some cases. Unexpectedly, we find polarization-dependent HI absorption in 57% of our spectra (88% and 63% of the FIR-strong and FIR-weak quasars, respectively). We attribute this result to absorption of polarized continuum emission from these sources by foreground HI clouds. About 60% of the quasars displaying polarized spectra are radio-loud, far higher than the $\sim$10% observed in the general AGN population. This discrepancy suggests that radio jets play an important role in shaping the environments in these galaxies. These systems may represent a transition phase in the evolution of gas-rich mergers into "mature" radio galaxies., Comment: 10 pages of text in emulateapj format, 6 tables, and 12 color figures. Accepted for publication by ApJ

We present the results from a Chandra pilot study of 12 massive galaxy mergers selected from Galaxy Zoo. The sample includes major mergers down to a host galaxy mass of 10$^{11}$ $M_\odot$ that already have optical AGN signatures in at least one of the progenitors. We find that the coincidences of optically selected active nuclei with mildly obscured ($N_H \lesssim 1.1 \times 10^{22}$ cm$^{-2}$) X-ray nuclei are relatively common (8/12), but the detections are too faint ($< 40$ counts per nucleus; $f_{2-10 keV} \lesssim 1.2 \times 10^{-13}$ erg s$^{-1}$ cm$^{-2}$) to reliably separate starburst and nuclear activity as the origin of the X-ray emission. Only one merger is found to have confirmed binary X-ray nuclei, though the X-ray emission from its southern nucleus could be due solely to star formation. Thus, the occurrences of binary AGN in these mergers are rare (0-8%), unless most merger-induced active nuclei are very heavily obscured or Compton thick., Comment: 8 pages, including 5 figures and 1 table. Accepted by ApJ

We present the analysis of 2.1 years of Fermi/LAT data on 491 Seyfert galaxies detected by the Swift/BAT survey. Only the two nearest objects, NGC 1068 and NGC 4945, which were identified in the Fermi First-year Catalog, are detected. Using the Swift/BAT and radio 20 cm fluxes, we define a new radio-loudness parameter $R_{X, BAT}$ where radio loud objects have $\log R_{X, BAT} > - 4.7$. Based on this parameter, only radio loud sources are detected by Fermi/LAT. An upper limit to the flux of the undetected sources is derived to be $\sim 2 \times 10^{-11}$ photons cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$, approximately seven times lower than the observed flux of NGC 1068. Assuming a median redshift of 0.031, this implies an upper limit to the $\gamma$-ray (1--100 GeV) luminosity of $\lesssim 3 \times 10^{41}$ erg s$^{-1}$. In addition, we identified 120 new Fermi/LAT sources near the Swift/BAT Seyferts with significant Fermi/LAT detections. A majority of these objects do not have \bat counterparts, but their possible optical counterparts include blazars, FSRQs, and quasars., Comment: 19 pages preprint style, including 2 tables and 4 figures. Accepted for publication by the Astrophysical Journal

We present X-ray data for a complete sample of 44 luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs), obtained with the Chandra X-ray Observatory. These are the X-ray observations of the high luminosity portion of the Great Observatory All-sky LIRG Survey (GOALS), which includes the most luminous infrared selected galaxies, log (Lir/Lsun) > 11.73, in the local universe, z < 0.088. X-rays were detected from 43 out of 44 objects, and their arcsec-resolution images, spectra, and radial brightness distributions are presented. With a selection by hard X-ray colour and the 6.4 keV iron line, AGN are found in 37% of the objects, with higher luminosity sources more likely to contain an AGN. These AGN also tend to be found in late-stage mergers. The AGN fraction would increase to 48% if objects with mid-IR [Ne V] detection are included. Double AGN are clearly detected only in NGC 6240 among 24 double/triple systems. Other AGN are found either in single nucleus objects or in one of the double nuclei at similar rates. Objects without conventional X-ray signatures of AGN appear to be hard X-ray quiet, relative to the X-ray to far-IR correlation for starburst galaxies, as discussed elsewhere. Most objects also show extended soft X-ray emission, which is likely related to an outflow from the nuclear region, with a metal abundance pattern suggesting enrichment by core collapse supernovae, as expected for a starburst., Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A, 30 pages, 15 figures, Large PDF file (~8 MB) of extensive image figures can be downloaded from http://goals.ipac.caltech.edu/publications.html

We present results from the X-ray portion of a multi-wavelength study of local ULIRGs and QSOs called QUEST (Quasar-ULIRG Evolution STudy). The data consist of new and archival X-ray data on 40 ULIRGs and 26 PG QSOs taken with Chandra and XMM-Newton. A combination of traditional and hardness ratio spectral fitting methods is used to characterize the X-ray properties of these objects. The absorption-corrected 2-10 keV to bolometric luminosity ratios of the ULIRGs and PG QSOs suggest that the likelihood for dominant nuclear activity increases along the merger sequence from "cool" ULIRGs, "warm" ULIRGs, infrared-bright QSOs, and infrared-faint QSOs. The starburst dominates the total power in ULIRGs prior to the merger, and this is followed by rapid black hole growth during and after coalescence. These results are in general agreement with those obtained in the mid-infrared with Spitzer and recent numerical simulations., Comment: 63 pages preprint style including 16 figures and 11 tables; accepted by ApJ

We report the results from our analysis of {\it Suzaku} XIS (0.5-10 keV) and HXD/PIN (15-40 keV) observations of five well-known local ULIRGs: {\em IRAS} F05189-2524, {\em IRAS} F08572+3915, Mrk 273, PKS 1345+12, and Arp 220. The XIS observations of F05189-2524 and Mrk 273 reveal strong iron lines consistent with Fe K$\alpha$ and changes in spectral shapes with respect to previous {\it Chandra} and {\it XMM-Newton} observations. Mrk 273 is also detected by the HXD/PIN at $\sim$1.8-$\sigma$. For F05189-2524, modeling of the data from the different epochs suggests that the change in spectral shape is likely due to the central source switching off, leaving behind a residual reflection spectrum, or an increase in the absorbing column. An increase in the covering fraction of the absorber can describe the spectral variations seen in Mrk 273, although a reduction in the intrinsic AGN luminosity cannot be formally ruled out. The {\it Suzaku} spectra of Mrk 273 are well fit by a ~94% covering fraction model with a column density of $\sim10^{24}$ cm$^{-2}$. The absorption-corrected log[$L_{\rm 2-10 keV}$ / $L_{\rm IR}$] ratio is consistent with those found in PG Quasars. The 0.5-10 keV spectrum of PKS 1345+12 and Arp 220 seem unchanged from previous observations and their hard X-ray emission is not convincingly detected by the HXD/PIN. The large column density derived from CO observations and the large equivalent width of an ionized Fe line in Arp 220 can be reconciled by an ionized reflection model. F08572+3915 is undetected in both the XIS and HXD/PIN, but the analysis of unpublished {\em Chandra} data provides a new measurement at low energies., Comment: 37 pages including 4 tables and 10 figures. Accepted for publication in ApJ. It is tentatively scheduled to appear in the January 20, 2009 issue of ApJ

We report on the detection of Fe Kalpha emission in F04103$-$2838, an ultraluminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG; log[L$_{\rm IR}$/L$_\odot$] $\ge$ 12) that is optically classified as a LINER. Previous {\it Chandra} observations suggested the presence of both a starburst and an AGN in this source. A deeper ($\sim$20 ksec) {\it XMM-Newton} spectrum reveals an Fe Kalpha line at rest frame energy $\sim$6.4 keV, consistent with cold neutral iron. The best-fit spectral model indicates the Fe Kalpha line has an equivalent width of $\sim$1.6 keV. The hard X-ray emission is dominated by a Compton-thick AGN with intrinsic 0.2--10 keV luminosity $\sim10^{44}$ ergs s$^{-1}$, while the soft X-ray emission is from $\sim$0.1 keV gas attributed to the starburst. The X-ray spectrum of this source bears a striking resemblance to that of the archetypal luminous infrared galaxy NGC 6240 despite differences in merger state and infrared properties., Comment: 23 pre-print pages including 5 figures and 1 table. Accepted by ApJ

We present results from Chandra observations of 14 ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs; log(L_IR/L_Sun) >= 12) with redshifts between 0.04 and 0.16. The goals of the observations were to investigate any correlation between infrared color or luminosity and the properties of the X-ray emission and to attempt to determine whether these objects are powered by starbursts or active galactic nuclei (AGNs). The sample contains approximately the same number of high and low luminosity objects and ``warm'' and ``cool'' ULIRGs. All 14 galaxies were detected by Chandra. Our analysis shows that the X-ray emission of the two Seyfert 1 galaxies in our sample are dominated by AGN. The remaining 12 sources are too faint for conventional spectral fitting to be applicable. Hardness ratios were used to estimate the spectral properties of these faint sources. The photon indices for our sample plus the Chandra-observed sample from Ptak et al.(2003) peak in the range of 1.0-1.5, consistent with expectations for X-ray binaries in a starburst, an absorbed AGN, or hot bremsstrahlung from a starburst or AGN. The values of photon index for the objects in our sample classified as Seyferts (type 1 or 2) are larger than 2, while those classified as HII regions or LINERs tend to be less than 2. The hard X-ray to far-infrared ratios for the 12 weak sources are similar to those of starbursts, but we cannot rule out the possibility of absorbed, possibly Compton-thick, AGNs in some of these objects. Two of these faint sources were found to have X-ray counterparts to their double optical and infrared nuclei., Comment: 40 pages, 5 tables, 14 figures, accepted by ApJ

The Wide-Field Imaging Interferometry Testbed (WIIT) will provide valuable information for the development of space-based interferometers. This laboratory instrument operates at optical wavelengths and provides the ability to test operational algorithms and techniques for data reduction of interferometric data. Here we present some details of the system design and implementation, discuss the overall performance of the system to date, and present our plans for future development of WIIT. In order to make best use of the interferometric data obtained with this system, it is critical to limit uncertainties within the system and to accurately understand possible sources of error. The WIIT design addresses these criteria through a number of ancillary systems. The use of redundant metrology systems is one of the most important features of WIIT, and provides knowledge of the delay line position to better than 10 nm. A light power detector is used to monitor the brightness of our light sources to ensure that small fluctuations in brightness do not affect overall performance. We have placed temperature sensors on critical components of the instrument, and on the optical table, in order to assess environmental effects on the system. The use of these systems provides us with estimates of the overall system uncertainty, and allows an overall characterization of the results to date. These estimates allow us to proceed forward with WIIT, adding rotation stages for 2-D interferometry. In addition, they suggest possible avenues for system improvement. Funding for WIIT is provided by NASA Headquarters through the ROSS/SARA Program and by the Goddard Space Flight Center through the IR&D Program., Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures

We present high-energy (3-30 keV) 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 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(sub H) approx. 1.2(sup +0.3) sub-0.3) x 10(exp 23) / sq cm) column. The intrinsic X-ray luminosity L(sub 0.5-30 Kev) approx. 1.0 x 10(exp 43) erg /s) is extremely weak relative to the bolometric luminosity where the 2-10 keV to bolometric luminosity ratio is approx. 0.03% compared to the typical values of 2-15%. Additionally, Mrk 231 has a low X-ray-to-optical power law slope alpha(sub 0X) approx. -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.

Mrk 231, the nearest (z = 0.0422) quasar, hosts both a galactic-scale wind and a nuclear-scale iron low-ionization broad absorption line (FeLoBAL) outflow. We recently obtained a far-ultraviolet (FUV) spectrum of this object covering approx. 1150-1470A with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph on board the Hubble Space Telescope. This spectrum is highly peculiar, highlighted by the presence of faint (< or approx.2% of predictions based on H(alpha)), broad (> or approx.10,000 km/s at the base), and highly blueshifted (centroid at approx. 3500 km/s) Ly(aplpha) emission. The FUV continuum emission is slightly declining at shorter wavelengths (consistent with F(sub lambda) Alpha Lambda(sup 1.7)) and does not show the presence of any obvious photospheric or wind stellar features. Surprisingly, the FUV spectrum also does not show any unambiguous broad absorption features. It thus appears to be dominated by the AGN, rather than hot stars, and virtually unfiltered by the dusty FeLoBAL screen. The observed Ly(alpha) emission is best explained if it is produced in the outflowing BAL cloud system, while the Balmer lines arise primarily from the standard broad emission line region seen through the dusty (Av approx. 7 mag) broad absorption line region. Two possible geometric models are discussed in the context of these new results.

We present the results of a 21-cm HI survey of 27 local massive gas-rich late-stage mergers and merger remnants with the Green Bank Telescope (GBT). These remnants were selected from the Quasar/ULIRG Evolution Study (QUEST) sample of ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs; L(sub 8 - 1000 micron) > 10(exp 12) solar L) and quasars; our targets are all bolometrically dominated by active galactic nuclei (AGN) and sample the later phases of the proposed ULIRG-to-quasar evolutionary sequence. We find the prevalence of HI absorption (emission) to be 100% (29%) in ULIRGs with HI detections, 100% (88%) in FIR-strong quasars, and 63% (100%) in FIR-weak quasars. The absorption features are associated with powerful neutral outflows that change from being mainly driven by star formation in ULIRGs to being driven by the AGN in the quasars. These outflows have velocities that exceed 1500 km/s in some cases. Unexpectedly, we find polarization-dependent HI absorption in 57% of our spectra (88% and 63% of the FIR-strong and FIR-weak quasars, respectively). We attribute this result to absorption of polarized continuum emission from these sources by foreground HI clouds. About 60% of the quasars displaying polarized spectra are radio-loud, far higher than the approx 10% observed in the general AGN population. This discrepancy suggests that radio jets play an important role in shaping the environments in these galaxies. These systems may represent a transition phase in the evolution of gas-rich mergers into "mature" radio galaxies.

It has been proposed that ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) pass through a luminous starburst phase, followed by a dust-enshrouded AGN phase, and finally evolve into optically bright "naked" quasars once they shed their gas/dust reservoirs through powerful wind events. We present the results of our recent 21- cm HI survey of 21 merger remnants with the Green Bank Telescope. These remnants were selected from the QUEST (Quasar/ULIRG Evolution Study) sample of ULIRGs and PG quasars; our targets are all bolometrically dominated by AGN and sample all phases of the proposed ULIRG -> IR-excess quasar -> optical quasar sequence. We explore whether there is an evolutionary connection between ULIRGs and quasars by looking for the occurrence of HI absorption tracing neutral gas outflows; our results will allow us to identify where along the sequence the majority of a merger's gas reservoir is expelled.

We present the results from a Chandra pilot study of 12 massive mergers selected from Galaxy Zoo. The sample includes major mergers down to a host galaxy mass of 10(sup 11) solar mass that already have optical AGN signatures in at least one of the progenitors. We find that the coincidences of optically selected active nuclei with mildly obscured (N(sub H) less than or approximately 1.1 x 10(exp 22) per square centimeter) X-ray nuclei are relatively common (8/12), but the detections are too faint (less than 40 counts per nucleus; f(sub 2-10 keV) less than or approximately 1.2 x 10(exp -13) ergs per second per square centimeter) to separate starburst and nuclear activity as the origin of the X-ray emission. Only one merger is found to have confirmed binary X-ray nuclei, though the X-ray emission from its southern nucleus could be due solely to star formation. Thus, the occurrences of binary AGN in these mergers are rare (0-8%), unless most merger-induced active nuclei are very heavily obscured or Compton thick.