2004ApJ...615..840B

We have obtained low- and medium-resolution optical spectra of 20 candidate young low-mass stars and brown dwarfs in the nearby Chamaeleon II dark cloud using the Magellan Baade telescope. We analyze these data in conjunction with near-infrared photometry from the Two Micron All Sky Survey. We find that one target, [VCE2001] C41, exhibits broad Hα emission as well as a variety of forbidden emission lines. These signatures are usually associated with accretion and outflow in young stars and brown dwarfs. Our spectra of C41 also reveal Li I in absorption and allow us to derive a spectral type of M5.5 for it. Therefore, we propose that C41 is a classical T Tauri object near the substellar boundary. Thirteen other targets in our sample have continuum spectra without intrinsic absorption or emission features and are difficult to characterize. They may be background giants or foreground field stars not associated with the cloud or embedded protostars and need further investigation. The six remaining candidates, with moderate reddening, are likely to be older field dwarfs, given their spectral types, lack of lithium, and Hα emission.