A Quasar–Companion System Without AGN Outflow at z ∼ 6: The Case of PSO J083+11

Abstract PSO J083.8371+11.8482, a quasar at z = 6.34 with a nearby companion galaxy, provides an opportunity to study the impact of active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity on the surrounding environment during the epoch of reionization. We analyze ALMA observations of the C ii 158 μm emission line and the far-infrared (FIR) continuum, which trace cold interstellar gas and dust-reprocessed radiation from star formation and AGN heating. The quasar host shows star formation rates (SFRs) of 544–3764 M⊙ yr−1 from C ii and 1861–2932 M⊙ yr−1 from FIR emission, while the companion galaxy exhibits lower SFRs of 21–145 and 76–211 M⊙ yr−1 from the same diagnostics. Both galaxies follow typical LC II/LFIR ratios observed in star-forming galaxies and show no evidence for a C ii deficit, indicating that stellar heating dominates the interstellar medium energetics. The C ii moment maps reveal compact emission with centrally peaked intensity and ordered rotational kinematics in both systems. Velocity dispersions remain well below values associated with powerful AGN-driven outflows, and no significant morphological asymmetries or disturbed velocity fields indicative of AGN feedback or major mergers are detected, although marginal kinematic substructure in the quasar’s high-velocity channels warrants further investigation. Although the companion lies at a projected distance of 18.248 ± 0.277 kpc within the quasar proximity zone, neither morphological nor kinematic signatures indicate AGN-driven outflows affecting the circumgalactic medium. We therefore interpret this system as being observed in a pre-outflow accretion phase, where rapid supermassive black hole growth precedes the development of large-scale AGN feedback.