New near-infrared spectroscopy of the high-redshift quasar, B1422+231 at z=3.62

We present new near-infrared (rest-frame UV-to-optical) spectra of the high-redshift, gravitationally lensed quasar B1422 + 231 (z = 3.62). Diagnostic emission lines of Fe II, O III lambda 5007, and H beta, commonly used to determine the excitation, ionization, and chemical abundances of radio-quiet and radio-loud quasars, were detected. Our new data show that the ratio Fe I (UV)/H beta = 18.1 + 4.6 and Fe II: (optical)/H beta = 2.3 +/- 0.6 are higher than those reported by Kawara et al. by factors of 1.6 and 3.3, respectively, although the ratio [O III] lambda 5007/H beta = 0.19 + 0.02 is nearly the same between the two measurements. The discrepancy of the line flux ratios between the measurements is likely due to improved data and fitting procedures rather that to intrinsic variability. While approximately half of the high-z quasars observed to date have much more extreme Fe II (optical)/H beta ratios, the line ratio measured for B1422 + 231 are consistent with the observed range of Fe rr (optical) ratios of low-z quasars.