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    PR # 31167                                                                   
     We propose to observe three infrared luminous galaxies (IRL galaxies)       
      at different stages of evolutionary sequence of interacting or merge       
     d systems. The high sensitivity of ASCA will allow the first detectio       
     n hypothetical AGN embedded in IRL galaxies, and this observation wil       
     l reveal relative contributions of the  starburst component and of th       
     e embedded AGN component to the total power. Since the embedded AGN i       
     n IRL galaxies suffer large amount of extinction, the wide spectral c       
     overage of ASCA is essential to estimate the intrinsic luminosity of        
     the AGN component corrected for extinction. This observation is a cru       
     cial test for the proposed  evolutionary sequence from (1)starburst d       
     ominating IRL galaxies,  via (2) IRL galaxies powered by embedded AGN       
    , to (3) bare AGN or quasars.                                                
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