UCLA

We present the results of an infrared survey of QSO fields at z = 0.95, 0.995, and 1.5. Each z < 1 field was imaged to typical continuum limits of J = 20.5, K′ = 19 (5 σ) and line fluxes of 1.3 × 10-16 ergs cm-2 s-1 (1 σ) in a 1% interference filter. Sixteen fields were chosen with z ∼ 0.95 targets, 14 with z ∼ 0.995, and six with z ∼ 1.5. A total area of 0.05 deg2 was surveyed, and two emission-line objects were found. We present the infrared and optical photometry of these objects. Optical spectroscopy has confirmed the redshift of one object (at z = 0.989) and is consistent with the other object having a similar redshift. We discuss the density of such objects across a range of redshifts from this survey and others in the literature. We also present number-magnitude counts for galaxies in the fields of radio quiet QSOs, supporting the interpretation that they exist in lower density environments than their radio-loud counterparts. The J-band number counts are among the first to be published in the J = 16-20 range.