We present our ground-based optical imaging, spectral analysis, and high-re
solution radio mapping of the gravitational lens candidate FBQ 1633 + 3134.
This z = 1.52, B = 17.7 quasar appears double on CCD images with an image
separation of 0".66 and a relatively constant flux ratio of similar to3:1 a
cross B, V, R, and I filters. A single 0.27 mJy radio source is detected at
8.46 GHz, coincident within an arc-second of both optical components, but
no companion at radio wavelengths is detected for the system down to a flux
level of 0.1 mJy (3 sigma). Spectral observations reveal a rich metal-line
absorption system consisting of a strong Mg II doublet and associated Fe I
and Fe II absorption features, all at an intervening redshift of z = 0.684
, suggestive of a lensing galaxy. Point-spread function subtraction of grou
ndbased images however shows no obvious signs of a third object between the
two quasar images and places a detection limit of if such an object exists
. Although the possibility that FBQ I greater than or similar to 23.0 1633
+ 3134 is a binary quasar cannot be ruled out, the evidence presented here
is consistent with FBQ 1633 + 3134 being a single quasar lensed by a faint,
metal-rich galaxy.