Mid-Infrared Galaxy Classification Based on Silicate Obscuration and PAH Equivalent Width

We present a new diagnostic diagram for mid-infrared spectra of infrared galaxies based on the equivalent width of the 6.2 mum PAH emission feature and the strength of the 9.7 mum silicate feature. Based on the positions in this diagram, we classify galaxies into nine classes ranging from continuum-dominated AGN hot dust spectra and PAH-dominated starburst spectra to absorption-dominated spectra of deeply obscured galactic nuclei. We find that galaxies are systematically distributed along two distinct branches: one of AGN and starburst-dominated spectra and one of deeply obscured nuclei and starburst-dominated spectra. The separation into two branches likely reflects a fundamental difference in the dust geometry in the two sets of sources: clumpy versus nonclumpy obscuration. Spectra of ULIRGs are found along the full length of both branches, reflecting the diverse nature of the ULIRG family.