A deep wide-field infrared survey for quasars

We report preliminary results from a survey to construct a complete, near-IR selected sample of quasars. We are using the unique deep optical and near-IR imaging in the NOAO Deep Wide-Field Survey (B-w,R,I,J,H,K), which will cover 18 sq.deg. An RIK-selected sample of color outliers was observed spectroscopically with WIYN Hydra and WHT WYFFOS to > 1 mag deeper than the SDSS NGP sample. Two out of 32 objects classifiable as broad-line AGN were consistent with intrinsic reddening E(B-V) <= 0.4 mag. Even redder objects are present in the sample, but not yet confirmed. This pilot program was to refine selection technique and shows the way to efficient sample selection.