Near-infrared probing of embedded structures in starburst and Seyfert galaxies

Surface photometry in the J and K' bands of 15 southern Seyfert or starburs t galaxies is presented. The detailed central morphology and structural pro perties of these objects were analyzed by fitting ellipses to isophotes. Ne w central peculiar structures have been identified like, for instance, thre e double-barred systems (ESO 215-G031; ESO 320-G030; ESO 443-G017), one obj ect with a nested nuclear spiral structure at the center of a primary bar ( NGC 5135), one object with a nuclear bar without evidence of a large-scale bar (NGC 4941), and one galaxy with a likely dissolved secondary bar within a primary one (ESO 508-G005). The J - K' radial profile proved to be reaso nably well linked with the presence of a starburst, but not with the Seyfer t activity. For significant starbursts, the central J - K' value is 0.3 - 1 .5 magnitude larger than the disc one.