Highly Ionized Gas as a Diagnostic of the Inner NLR

Abstract

Abstract. The spectra of AGN, from the ultraviolet to the near infrared, exhibit emission lines covering a wide range of ionization states, from neutral species such asHere we report on some recent studies of the properties of highly ionized lines (HILs), plus two case studies of individual objects. Future IFU observations at high spatial and good spectral resolution will probe the excitation and kinematics of the gas in the zone between the extended NLR and unresolved BLR. Multi-component SED fitting can be used to link the source of photoionization with the strengths and ratios of the HILs.