We propose to study the [C II] emission line of 3 quasar absorption line
systems toward S4 0248+43, PKS 0038-019 and PKS 1327-206. Their corres-
ponding redshifts are 0.0515, 0.0177 and 0.0175, respectively. The ab-
sorption line system toward S4 0248+43 has been identified with a nearby
starburst galaxy. These 3 absorber galaxies offer excellent sites to
study the starburst and normal star formation activity at low redshifts.
Since they are at low redshift, optical and radio wavelength spectrosco-
py, optical and near-IR imaging and IRAS observations provide a great
deal of direct information about the physical properties of the absorber
galaxies. Toward these 3 sources (and almost 2 dozen other absorption
line systems at different redshifts), we have obtained detections or li-
mits on the CO (and in some instances, [C I]) emission at radio wave-
lengths. We also have programs at several radio telescopes to observe
[C II] toward high-z galaxies. The absorbers toward S4 0248+43, PKS
0038-019 and PKS 1327-206 are among the most luminous CO emitters in our
millimeter-wave survey of low redshift quasar absorption line systems,
and will be good candidates for further mm- and sub-mm work. Here we
propose to obtain the redshifted 158 um [C II] emission line spectrum
to enable a comparison of these systems with other quasar absorption
line systems at higher z. The LWS data will complement the radio obser-
vations to give a more complete picture of the physical conditions in
these galaxies. From the [C II] emission line measurements in associ-
ation with complementary observations, we will be able to study the
chemical abundance, molecular content, UV radiation field and dust-to-
gas ratio of the ISM in the absorber galaxies. In particular, from the
[C II]/CO ratio we will be able to determine whether any of the ab-
sorption line systems are undergoing a starburst.