Modeling Supermassive Black Holes in Cosmological Simulations

Modeling Supermassive Black Holes in Cosmological Simulations PDF Author: Michael Tremmel
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 127

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Book Description
My thesis work has focused on improving the implementation of supermassive black hole (SMBH) physics in cosmological hydrodynamic simulations. SMBHs are ubiquitous in mas- sive galaxies, as well as bulge-less galaxies and dwarfs, and are thought to be a critical component to massive galaxy evolution. Still, much is unknown about how SMBHs form, grow, and affect their host galaxies. Cosmological simulations are an invaluable tool for un- derstanding the formation of galaxies, self-consistently tracking their evolution with realistic merger and gas accretion histories. SMBHs are often modeled in these simulations (generally as a necessity to produce realistic massive galaxies), but their implementations are commonly simplified in ways that can limit what can be learned. Current and future observations are opening new windows into the lifecycle of SMBHs and their host galaxies, but require more detailed, physically motivated simulations. Within the novel framework I have developed, SMBHs 1) are seeded at early times without a priori assumptions of galaxy occupation, 2) grow in a way that accounts for the angular momentum of gas, and 3) experience realistic orbital evolution. I show how this model, properly tuned with a novel parameter optimiza- tion technique, results in realistic galaxies and SMBHs. Utilizing the unique ability of these simulations to capture the dynamical evolution of SMBHs, I present the first self-consistent prediction for the formation timescales of close SMBH pairs, precursors to SMBH binaries and merger events potentially detected by future gravitational wave experiments.

Modeling Supermassive Black Holes in Cosmological Simulations

Modeling Supermassive Black Holes in Cosmological Simulations PDF Author: Michael Tremmel
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 127

Get Book Here

Book Description
My thesis work has focused on improving the implementation of supermassive black hole (SMBH) physics in cosmological hydrodynamic simulations. SMBHs are ubiquitous in mas- sive galaxies, as well as bulge-less galaxies and dwarfs, and are thought to be a critical component to massive galaxy evolution. Still, much is unknown about how SMBHs form, grow, and affect their host galaxies. Cosmological simulations are an invaluable tool for un- derstanding the formation of galaxies, self-consistently tracking their evolution with realistic merger and gas accretion histories. SMBHs are often modeled in these simulations (generally as a necessity to produce realistic massive galaxies), but their implementations are commonly simplified in ways that can limit what can be learned. Current and future observations are opening new windows into the lifecycle of SMBHs and their host galaxies, but require more detailed, physically motivated simulations. Within the novel framework I have developed, SMBHs 1) are seeded at early times without a priori assumptions of galaxy occupation, 2) grow in a way that accounts for the angular momentum of gas, and 3) experience realistic orbital evolution. I show how this model, properly tuned with a novel parameter optimiza- tion technique, results in realistic galaxies and SMBHs. Utilizing the unique ability of these simulations to capture the dynamical evolution of SMBHs, I present the first self-consistent prediction for the formation timescales of close SMBH pairs, precursors to SMBH binaries and merger events potentially detected by future gravitational wave experiments.

Modeling the Evolution of Galaxies and Massive Black Holes Across Cosmic Time

Modeling the Evolution of Galaxies and Massive Black Holes Across Cosmic Time PDF Author: Daniel Anglés-Alcázar
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 207

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Book Description
I use cosmological hydrodynamic simulations to investigate different aspects of the evolution of galaxies and massive black holes across cosmic time. First, I present high resolution "zoom-in" simulations including various prescriptions for galactic outflows designed to explore the impact of star-formation driven winds on the morphological, dynamical, and structural properties of individual galaxies from early times down to z = 2. Simulations without winds produce massive, compact galaxies with low gas fractions, super-solar metallicities, high bulge fractions, and much of the star formation concentrated within the inner kpc. I show that strong winds are required to suppress early star formation, maintain high gas fractions, redistribute star-forming gas and metals over larger scales, and increase the velocity dispersion of simulated galaxies, more in agreement with the large, extended, turbulent disks typical of high-redshift star-forming galaxies. Next, I combine cosmological simulations with analytic models of black hole growth to investigate the physical mechanisms driving the observed connection between massive black holes and their host galaxies. I describe a plausible model consistent with available observations in which black hole growth is limited by galaxy-scale torques. In this torque-limited growth scenario, black holes and host galaxies evolve on average toward the observed scaling relations, regardless of the initial conditions, and with no need for mass averaging through mergers or additional self-regulation processes. Outflows from the accretion disk play a key role by providing significant mass loss, but there is no need for strong interaction with the inflowing gas in order to regulate black holes in a non-linear feedback loop. I discuss some of the main implications of this scenario in the context of current observations, including the distribution and evolution of Eddington ratios, the connection between major galaxy mergers, star formation, and nuclear activity, and the rapid growth of the first black holes in the early universe. Finally, I present preliminary results from simulations including a fully consistent treatment of black hole accretion and feedback indicating that the effects of powerful accretion-driven outflows on black hole growth itself may have a more limited impact than previously thought.

Measuring the Angular Momentum of Supermassive Black Holes

Measuring the Angular Momentum of Supermassive Black Holes PDF Author: Laura Brenneman
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461477719
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 57

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Book Description
Measuring the spin distribution of supermassive black holes is of critical importance for understanding how these black holes and their host galaxies form and evolve over time, yet this type of study is only in its infancy. This brief describes how astronomers measure spin in supermassive black holes using X-ray spectroscopy. It also reviews the constraints that have been placed on the spin distribution in local, bright active galaxies over the past six years, and the cosmological implications of these constraints. Finally, it summarizes the open questions that remain in this exciting new field of research and points toward future discoveries soon to be made by the next generation of space-based observatories.

Supermassive Black Holes in the Distant Universe

Supermassive Black Holes in the Distant Universe PDF Author: A.J. Barger
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1402024711
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 310

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Book Description
Quasars, and the menagerie of other galaxies with "unusual nuclei", now collectively known as Active Galactic Nuclei or AGN, have, in one form or another, sparked the interest of astronomers for over 60 years. The only known mechanism that can explain the staggering amounts of energy emitted by the innermost regions of these systems is gravitational energy release by matter falling towards a supermassive black hole --- a black hole whose mass is millions to billions of times the mass of our Sun. AGN emit radiation at all wavelengths. X-rays originating at a distance of a few times the event horizon of the black hole are the emissions closest to the black hole that we can detect; thus, X-rays directly reveal the presence of active supermassive black holes. Oftentimes, however, the supermassive black holes that lie at the centers of AGN are cocooned in gas and dust that absorb the emitted low energy X-rays and the optical and ultraviolet light, hiding the black hole from view at these wavelengths. Until recently, this low-energy absorption presented a major obstacle in observational efforts to map the accretion history of the universe. In 1999 and 2000, the launches of the Chandra and XMM-Newton X-ray Observatories finally broke the impasse. The impact of these observatories on X-ray astronomy is similar to the impact that the Hubble Space Telescope had on optical astronomy. The astounding new data from these observatories have enabled astronomers to make enormous advances in their understanding of when accretion occurs.

Star Clusters and Black Holes in Galaxies across Cosmic Time (IAU S312)

Star Clusters and Black Holes in Galaxies across Cosmic Time (IAU S312) PDF Author: Yohai Meiron
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9781107078727
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Star clusters and black holes are moving into the focus of high resolution astrophysics, computationally as well as observationally. For the first time, observations in many regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are converging with theoretical modelling and computer simulations. These cosmological and galaxy formation models reach down to the supermassive black hole level and follow their formation and growth in the centres of galaxies, by gas and star accretion. IAU Symposium 312 brings together experts on high resolution observations as well as theoretical modelling and computational simulations, who present their research on star clusters, black holes and their interrelations, and gravitational wave astrophysics. IAU S312 continues the tradition of IAU symposia on stellar dynamics and related areas, allowing interested graduate students and researchers to access the current state of these fields.

Supermassive Black Holes in Cosmological Simulations

Supermassive Black Holes in Cosmological Simulations PDF Author: Colin J. Degraf
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description


Black Holes in the Era of Gravitational-Wave Astronomy

Black Holes in the Era of Gravitational-Wave Astronomy PDF Author: Manuel Arca Sedda
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0323956378
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 510

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Book Description
Black Holes in the Era of Gravitational-Wave Astronomy provides a multidisciplinary, up-to-date view of the physics of black holes, along with an exhaustive overview of crucial open questions and recent advancements in the astrophysics of black holes in the wake of incredible advancements made in the last decade. It includes discussions on improvements in theoretical modeling and observational perspectives for black holes of all sizes, along with associated challenges. The book's structure and themes will enable an entwined understanding of black hole physics at all scales, thus avoiding the compartmentalized view that is typical of more specialized manuscripts and reviews.This book is a complete reference for scientists interested in a multidirectional approach to the study of black holes. It provides substantial discussions about the interplay of different types of black holes and gives professionals a heterogeneous and comprehensive overview of the astrophysics of black holes of all masses. Focuses on recent advances and future perspectives surrounding black holes, providing researchers with a clear view of cutting-edge research Offers readers a multidisciplinary, fresh view on black holes, discussing and reviewing the most recent advancements in theoretical, numerical and observational techniques put in place to detect black holes Provides a bridge among different black hole areas, fostering new collaborations among professionals working in different, but intrinsically interconnected fields

Cosmological Physics

Cosmological Physics PDF Author: J. A. Peacock
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521422703
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 700

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Book Description
A comprehensive and authoritative introduction to contemporary cosmology for advanced undergraduate and graduate students.

Black Hole Formation and Growth

Black Hole Formation and Growth PDF Author: Tiziana Di Matteo
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3662597993
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 212

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Book Description
The ultimate proofs that black holes exist have been obtained very recently thanks to the detection of gravitational waves from their coalescence and due to material orbiting at a distance of some gravitational radii imaged by optical interferometry or X-ray reverberation mapping. This book provides three comprehensive and up-to-date reviews covering the gravitational wave breakthrough, our understanding of accretion and feedback in supermassive black holes and the relevance of black holes for the Universe since the Big Bang. Neil J. Cornish presents gravitational wave emission from black hole mergers and the physics of detection. Andrew King reviews the physics of accretion on to supermassive black holes and their feedback on host galaxies. Tiziana Di Matteo addresses our understanding of black hole formation at cosmic dawn, the emergence of the first quasars, black hole merging and structure formation. The topics covered by the 48th Saas-Fee Course provide a broad overview of the importance of black holes in modern astrophysics.

Supermassive Black Holes

Supermassive Black Holes PDF Author: Andrew King
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108864627
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 328

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Book Description
Written by an international leader in the field, this is a coherent and accessible account of the concepts that are now vital for understanding cutting-edge work on supermassive black holes. These include accretion disc misalignment, disc breaking and tearing, chaotic accretion, the merging of binary supermassive holes, the demographics of supermassive black holes, and the defining effects of feedback on their host galaxies. The treatment is largely analytic and gives in-depth discussions of the underlying physics, including gas dynamics, ideal and non-ideal magnetohydrodynamics, force-free electrodynamics, accretion disc physics, and the properties of the Kerr metric. It stresses aspects where conventional assumptions may be inappropriate and encourages the reader to think critically about current models. This volume will be useful for graduate or Masters courses in astrophysics, and as a handbook for active researchers in the field. eBook formats include colour figures while print formats are greyscale only.