The optical properties of the z = 0.435 quasar PKS 1222+216 (4C+21.35) are summarized since the discovery of impressive gamma-ray activity in this source by Fermi/LAT. Unlike several other gamma-ray-bright blazars, there appears to be little connecti
on between optical and gamma-ray activity. Spectropolarimetry shows this object to be a composite system with optical emission from both a polarized, variable synchrotron power-law and unpolarized light from a stable blue continuum source (+broad emission-line region) contributing to the observed spectrum. Spectrophotometry over a period of about two years does not detect significant variability in the strong, broad emission lines, despite large optical continuum variations. This suggests that the relativistic jet has little influence on the output of the broad emission-line region, possibly either because the highly beamed continuum ionizes only a small portion of the line-emitting gas, or the observed non-thermal continuum originates parsecs downstream from the base of the jet, further away from the central engine than the broad emission-line region.
We describe the optical spectropolarimetric monitoring program at Steward Observatory centered around gamma-ray-bright blazars and the LAT Monitored Source List planned for Fermi Cycles 2-4. The large number of measurements made during Cycle 1 of the
Fermi mission are available to the research community and the data products are summarized (see http://james.as.arizona.edu/~psmith/Fermi). The optical data include spectropolarimetry at a resolution of ~20 A, broad-band polarization and flux measurements, and flux-calibrated spectra spanning 4000-7600 A. These data provide a comprehensive view of the optical variability of an important sample of objects during the Fermi Era. In addition to broad-band flux and linear polarization monitoring, the spectra allow for the tracking of changes to the spectral index of the synchrotron continuum, importance of non-synchrotron emission features, and how and when the polarization varies with wavelength, an important clue as to the structure of the emission region or the identification of multiple nonthermal components. As an illustration, we present observations of 3C 454.3 obtained in 2009 September during an exceptionally bright gamma-ray flare. The blazar was optically bright during the flare, but except for a few short periods, it showed surprisingly low polarization (P < 5%). Opportunities exist within the Fermi research community to coordinate with our long-term optical monitoring program toward the goal of maximum scientific value to both the Fermi and associated radio VLBI monitoring of blazars.
