Luminous infrared galaxies AKARI 2.5-5um data

We find that the 3.3um and 6.2um PAH EQWs do not follow a linear correlation and at least a third of the galaxies classified as AGN-dominated sources using the 3.3um feature are classified as starbursts based on the 6.2um feature. These galaxies have a bluer continuum slope than galaxies that are indicated to be starburst-dominated by both PAH features. The bluer continuum emission suggests that their continuum is dominated by stellar emission rather than hot dust.

We also find that the median Spitzer/IRS spectra of these sources are remarkably similar to the pure starburst-dominated sources indicated by high PAH EQWs in both 3.3um and 6.2um. Based on these results, we propose a revised starburst/AGN diagnostic diagram using 2-5um data: the 3.3um PAH EQW and the continuum color, F{nu}(4.3um)/F{nu}(2.8um). We use the AKARI and Spitzer spectra to examine the performance of our new starburst/AGN diagnostics and to estimate 3.3um PAH fluxes using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) photometric bands in the redshift range 0<z<5.

Of the known PAH features and mid-infrared high ionization emission lines used as starburst/AGN indicators, only the 3.3um PAH feature is observable with JWST at z>3.5, because the rest of the features at longer wavelengths fall outside the JWST wavelength coverage.