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The evolution of active galactic nuclei across cosmic time : what is downsizing?

Fanidakis, N.; Baugh, C.M.; Benson, A.J.; Bower, R.G.; Cole, S.; Done, C.; Frenk, C.S.; Hickox, R.C.; Lacey, C.; del P. Lagos, C.

The evolution of active galactic nuclei across cosmic time : what is downsizing? Thumbnail


Authors

N. Fanidakis

A.J. Benson

R.G. Bower

R.C. Hickox

C. del P. Lagos



Abstract

We use a coupled model of the formation and evolution of galaxies and black holes (BHs) to study the evolution of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in a cold dark matter universe. The model is embedded in the galaxy formation code GALFORM and predicts the masses, spins and mass accretion histories of BHs in tandem with the formation of their host galaxies. BHs grow by accretion during starbursts, triggered by discs becoming dynamically unstable or by galaxy mergers, and accretion from quasi-hydrostatic hot gas haloes. Using an empirical law for AGN obscuration, our model matches the observed luminosity functions (LFs) of AGNs over a wide range of redshifts. Due to the suppression of cooling in massive haloes by AGN feedback, at low redshift (z≲ 2), the brightest quasars (Lbol≳ 1046 erg s−1) are predicted preferentially to inhabit haloes with masses Graphic. The model predicts a hierarchical buildup of BH mass, with the typical mass of actively growing BHs increasing with decreasing redshift. Nevertheless, the model displays clear ‘downsizing’ as reflected in the differential evolution of the space density of faint and bright AGNs. This arises naturally from the interplay between the starburst and hot gas halo accretion modes. The faint end of the LF is dominated by massive BHs accreting at low rates via a thick disc, primarily during the hot-halo mode. The bright end is populated by BHs accreting close to or above the Eddington limit during the starburst mode. Obscuration plays a central role in determining the observed abundance of AGNs and, hence, in their implied cosmic evolution.

Citation

Fanidakis, N., Baugh, C., Benson, A., Bower, R., Cole, S., Done, C., …del P. Lagos, C. (2012). The evolution of active galactic nuclei across cosmic time : what is downsizing?. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 419(4), 2797-2820. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2966.2011.19931.x

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Feb 1, 2012
Deposit Date Jan 31, 2012
Publicly Available Date Aug 20, 2014
Journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Print ISSN 0035-8711
Electronic ISSN 1365-2966
Publisher Royal Astronomical Society
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 419
Issue 4
Pages 2797-2820
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2966.2011.19931.x
Keywords Methods: numerical, Galaxies: active, Galaxies: nuclei, Quasars: general.

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Copyright Statement
This article has been accepted for publication in Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society © 2011 The Authors Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society © 2011 RAS Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.





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