@article {2011A\&A...527A.150L, title = {{A survey of HC$_{3}$N in extragalactic sources. Is HC$_{3}$N a tracer of activity in ULIRGs?}}, journal = {Astronomy and Astrophysics}, volume = {527}, year = {2011}, month = {mar}, pages = {A150}, abstract = {Context. HC$_{3}$N is a molecule that is mainly associated with Galactic star-forming regions, but it has also been detected in extragalactic environments.
Aims: To present the first extragalactic survey of HC$_{3}$N, when combining earlier data from the literature with six new single-dish detections, and to compare HC$_{3}$N with other molecular tracers (HCN, HNC), as well as other properties (silicate absorption strength, IR flux density ratios, C ii flux, and megamaser activity).
Methods: We present mm IRAM 30 m, OSO 20 m, and SEST observations of HC$_{3}$N rotational lines (mainly the J = 10-9 transition) and of the J = 1-0 transitions of HCN and HNC. Our combined HC$_{3}$N data account for 13 galaxies (excluding the upper limits reported for the non-detections), while we have HCN and HNC data for more than 20 galaxies.
Results: A preliminary definition {\textquoteright}{\textquoteright}HC$_{3}$N-luminous galaxy{\textquoteright}{\textquoteright} is made based upon the HC$_{3}$N/HCN ratio. Most (\~{}80\%) HC$_{3}$N-luminous galaxies seem to be deeply obscured galaxies and (U)LIRGs. A majority (\~{}60\% or more) of the HC$_{3}$N-luminous galaxies in the sample present OH mega- or strong kilomaser activity. A possible explanation is that both HC$_{3}$N and OH megamasers need warm dust for their excitation. Alternatively, the dust that excites the OH megamaser offers protection against UV destruction of HC$_{3}$N. A high silicate absorption strength is also found in several of the HC$_{3}$N-luminous objects, which may help the HC$_{3}$N to survive. Finally, we find that a high HC$_{3}$N/HCN ratio is related to a high dust temperature and a low C ii flux. Appendix is only available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org}, keywords = {galaxies: active, galaxies: ISM, galaxies: starburst, ISM: molecules, radio lines: galaxies, radio lines: ISM}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201015565}, url = {http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2011A\%26A...527A.150L}, author = {Lindberg, J.~E. and Aalto, S. and F. Costagliola and P{\'e}rez-Beaupuits, J.-P. and Monje, R. and Muller, S.} }