new puzzles in supermassive black hole evolution

New Puzzles in Supermassive Black Hole Evolution

Charles L. SteinhardtIPMU, University of Tokyo

October 14, 2010

Steinhardt & Elvis 2010, MNRAS, 402, 2637 (arxiv:0911.1355) Steinhardt & Elvis 2010 MNRAS, in press (arxiv:0911.3155) Steinhardt & Elvis 2010 MNRAS 406, L1 (arxiv:0912.0734) Steinhardt, Elvis, & Amarie 2010, submitted

The supermassive black hole (SMBH) lifecycle

1) Seeding

2) Growth

3) Turnoff

4) Quiescence (well, almost)

The supermassive black hole (SMBH) lifecycle

1) Seeding

2) Growth: quasar phase (Soltan)

3) Turnoff

4) Quiescence (well, almost)

The supermassive black hole (SMBH) lifecycle

1) Seeding

2) Growth: quasar phase (Soltan)

3) Turnoff (M- relation)

4) Quiescence (well, almost)

Quasar Luminosity Function

Richards et al. (2006)

How to obtain black hole masses from one SDSS spectrum

Kepler’s Laws on broad emission line gas, so we need v,R.

Doppler broadening of spectral line velocity

Supermassive black hole “mass ladder”

Continuum luminosity radius

Comparison with reverbation masses implies ~0.4 dex uncertainty (more on this later!)

Quasar Mass Function

Vestergaard et al. (2008)

Common beliefs about SMBHs All quasars can radiate at the Eddington limit

Quasars are “light-bulbs”: either on (at Eddington) or off

Quasars “flicker”

Luminosity is a proxy for mass

Quasar dynamics come from host galaxy dynamics

Existing data

Existing methods

Existing catalogs

But new methods

Existing data

Quasar catalog and spectra come from SDSS DR5

Existing methods

Existing catalogs

But new methods

Existing data

Quasar catalog and spectra come from SDSS DR5

Virial Mass Estimation: Vestergaard/Peterson, McLure/Dunlop

Existing methods

Existing catalogs

But new methods

Existing data

Quasar catalog and spectra come from SDSS DR5

Virial Mass Estimation: Vestergaard/Peterson, McLure/Dunlop

Actual mass estimates: Shen et al. (2008)

Bolometric luminosities: Richards et al. (2006), Shen et al. (2008)

Existing methods

Existing catalogs

But new methods

Existing data

Quasar catalog and spectra come from SDSS DR5

Virial Mass Estimation: Vestergaard/Peterson, McLure/Dunlop

Actual mass estimates: Shen et al. (2008)

Bolometric luminosities: Richards et al. (2006), Shen et al. (2008)

Time to think two- (or three-) dimensionally!

Existing methods

Existing catalogs

But new methods

0.2 < z < 0.4, H

0.2 < z < 0.4, H

SDSS Saturation

Detection Limit

Qu

asa

r Tu

rnoff

0.2 < z < 0.4, H

Detection Limit

Qu

asa

r Tu

rnoff

Virial mass estimation may be better than previously believed!

Best-fit exponential decays: e-folding of 0.14-0.25 dex

0.2 < z < 0.4, H

Detection Limit

Qu

asa

r Tu

rnoff

Quasars at 1.6 < z < 1.8

Quasars at 1.6 < z < 1.8

Quasars at 1.6 < z < 1.8

Best-fit sub-Eddington boundary slopes

Best-fit sub-Eddington boundary slopes

Risaliti, Young, & Elvis (2009)

Common beliefs about SMBHs All quasars can radiate at the Eddington limit

Quasars are “light-bulbs”: either on (at Eddington) or off

Quasars “flicker”

Luminosity is a proxy for mass

Quasar dynamics come from host galaxy dynamics

FALSE!

Expected L/LE distribution at different M, 0.2<z<0.4

Normalized to peak

The L/LE distribution at different M, 0.2<z<0.4

Normalized to peak

The L/LE distribution at different M, 0.2<z<0.4

Normalized to peak

Common beliefs about SMBHs Quasars radiate at the Eddington limit

Quasars are “light-bulbs”: either on (at Eddington) or off

Quasars “flicker”

Luminosity is a proxy for mass

Quasar dynamics come from host galaxy dynamics

FALSE!

TRUE! FALSE!

Common beliefs about SMBHs Quasars radiate at the Eddington limit

Quasars are “light-bulbs”: either on (at Eddington) or off

Quasars “flicker”

Luminosity is a proxy for mass

Quasar dynamics come from host galaxy dynamics

FALSE!

TRUE! FALSE!

MAYBE NOT?

SDSS quasar colors at high mass, low luminosity

Emission line ratios change at high mass

Highest Mass

Intermediate Mass

Lowest Mass

1.2-1.4

0.8-1.0

Common beliefs about SMBHs Quasars radiate at the Eddington limit

Quasars are “light-bulbs”: either on (at Eddington) or off

Quasars “flicker”

Luminosity is a proxy for mass

Quasar dynamics come from host galaxy dynamics

FALSE!

TRUE! FALSE!

MAYBE NOT?

3.0-3.2

Redshift range

2.0-2.2

1.6-1.8

1.2-1.4

0.8-1.0

Luminosity at fixed mass, different z

Common beliefs about SMBHs Quasars radiate at the Eddington limit

Quasars are “light-bulbs”: either on (at Eddington) or off

Quasars “flicker”

Luminosity is a proxy for mass

Quasar dynamics come from host galaxy dynamics

FALSE!

TRUE! FALSE!

MAYBE NOT?

FALSE!

9.75-10.0

Log M (solar)

9.50-9.75

9.25-9.50

9.00-9.25

Comoving number density declines at different rates for different masses

Timescales (M), N(t) = N0e-t/(M)

Common beliefs about SMBHs Quasars radiate at the Eddington limit

Quasars are “light-bulbs”: either on (at Eddington) or off

Quasars “flicker”

Luminosity is a proxy for mass

Quasar dynamics come from host galaxy dynamics

FALSE!

TRUE! FALSE!

MAYBE NOT?

FALSE!

SEEMINGLY FALSE!

k20% changes in: t0M0

Track sensitivity to 20% changes in parameters

Sample Track: 1.8 < z < 2.0

Sample Track: 1.6 < z < 1.8

Sample Track: 1.4 < z < 1.6

Sample Track: 1.2 < z < 1.4

Sample Track: 1.0 < z < 1.2

Allowed track parameters at M0=8.5, t0=3.5 Gyr

Quasars are typically on for just 1-2 Gyr!

Allowed parameters for tracks originating at all times

What would we ideally use to study quasar accretion?

Mass and luminosity evolution of individual SMBH

All relevant host galaxy parameters

Only one snapshot

SDSS cannot see the galaxy

What would we ideally use to study quasar accretion?

Mass and luminosity evolution of individual SMBH

All relevant host galaxy parameters

Quasars ARE like light bulbs!

SDSS cannot see the galaxy

What would we ideally use to study quasar accretion?

Mass and luminosity evolution of individual SMBH

All relevant host galaxy parameters

Quasars ARE like light bulbs!

There aren’t any!

The supermassive black hole lifecycle: new, open questions

1) Seeding

2) Growth

3) Turnoff

4) Quiescence (well, almost)

The supermassive black hole lifecycle: new, open questions

1) Seeding

2) Growth

3) Turnoff

Are all quasars at a characteristic luminosity?

The supermassive black hole lifecycle: new, open questions

1) Seeding

2) Growth

3) Turnoff

Are all quasars at a characteristic luminosity?Why is evolution synchronous but time-dependent?

The supermassive black hole lifecycle: new, open questions

1) Seeding

2) Growth

3) Turnoff

Are all quasars at a characteristic luminosity?Why is evolution synchronous but time-dependent? Why is the accretion rate sublinear in mass?

The supermassive black hole lifecycle: new, open questions

1) Seeding

2) Growth

3) Turnoff

Are all quasars at a characteristic luminosity?Why is evolution synchronous but time-dependent? Why is the accretion rate sublinear in mass?Can we use quasars as standard candles?

The supermassive black hole lifecycle: new, open questions

1) Seeding

2) Growth

3) Turnoff

Are all quasars at a characteristic luminosity?Why is evolution synchronous but time-dependent? Why is the accretion rate sublinear in mass?Can we use quasars as standard candles?

Is turnoff permanent?

The supermassive black hole lifecycle: new, open questions

1) Seeding

2) Growth

3) Turnoff

Are all quasars at a characteristic luminosity?Why is evolution synchronous but time-dependent? Why is the accretion rate sublinear in mass?Can we use quasars as standard candles?

Is turnoff permanent?Are “intrinsically red” quasars in the midst of turnoff?

The supermassive black hole lifecycle: new, open questions

1) Seeding

2) Growth

3) Turnoff

Are all quasars at a characteristic luminosity?Why is evolution synchronous but time-dependent? Why is the accretion rate sublinear in mass?Can we use quasars as standard candles?

Is turnoff permanent?Are “intrinsically red” quasars in the midst of turnoff?Why is turnoff synchronized?

The supermassive black hole lifecycle: new, open questions

1) Seeding

2) Growth

3) Turnoff

Are all quasars at a characteristic luminosity?Why is evolution synchronous but time-dependent? Why is the accretion rate sublinear in mass?Can we use quasars as standard candles?

Is turnoff permanent?Are “intrinsically red” quasars in the midst of turnoff?Why is turnoff synchronized?Why is turnoff but not growth linked to the host galaxy?

The supermassive black hole lifecycle: new, open questions

1) Seeding

2) Growth

3) Turnoff

Are all quasars at a characteristic luminosity?Why is evolution synchronous but time-dependent? Why is the accretion rate sublinear in mass?Can we use quasars as standard candles?

Is turnoff permanent?Are “intrinsically red” quasars in the midst of turnoff?Why is turnoff synchronized?Why is turnoff but not growth linked to the host galaxy?What is the origin of the M- relation?

The supermassive black hole lifecycle: new, open questions

1) Seeding

2) Growth

3) Turnoff

Are all quasars at a characteristic luminosity?Why is evolution synchronous but time-dependent? Why is the accretion rate sublinear in mass?Can we use quasars as standard candles?

Is turnoff permanent?Are “intrinsically red” quasars in the midst of turnoff?Why is turnoff synchronized?Why is turnoff but not growth linked to the host galaxy?What is the origin of the M- relation?

How are supermassive black holes seeded synchronously?

The supermassive black hole lifecycle: new, open questions

1) Seeding

2) Growth

3) Turnoff

Are all quasars at a characteristic luminosity?Why is evolution synchronous but time-dependent? Why is the accretion rate sublinear in mass?Can we use quasars as standard candles?

Is turnoff permanent?Are “intrinsically red” quasars in the midst of turnoff?Why is turnoff synchronized?Why is turnoff but not growth linked to the host galaxy?What is the origin of the M- relation?

How are supermassive black holes seeded synchronously?How do the biggest, earliest central black holes form?

The supermassive black hole lifecycle: new, open questions

1) Seeding

2) Growth

3) Turnoff

Are all quasars at a characteristic luminosity?Why is evolution synchronous but time-dependent? Why is the accretion rate sublinear in mass?Can we use quasars as standard candles?

Is turnoff permanent?Are “intrinsically red” quasars in the midst of turnoff?Why is turnoff synchronized?Why is turnoff but not growth linked to the host galaxy?What is the origin of the M- relation?

How are supermassive black holes seeded synchronously?How do the biggest, earliest central black holes form?Does this mean they are seeded before the first stars?

The supermassive black hole lifecycle: new, open questions

1) Seeding

2) Growth

3) Turnoff

Are all quasars at a characteristic luminosity?Why is evolution synchronous but time-dependent? Why is the accretion rate sublinear in mass?Can we use quasars as standard candles?

Is turnoff permanent?Are “intrinsically red” quasars in the midst of turnoff?Why is turnoff synchronized?Why is turnoff but not growth linked to the host galaxy?What is the origin of the M- relation?

How are supermassive black holes seeded synchronously?How do the biggest, earliest central black holes form?Does this mean they are seeded before the first stars?Is it possible to make primordial black hole seeds?

The supermassive black hole lifecycle: new, open questions

1) Seeding

2) Growth

3) Turnoff

Are all quasars at a characteristic luminosity?Why is evolution synchronous but time-dependent? Why is the accretion rate sublinear in mass?Can we use quasars as standard candles?

Is turnoff permanent?Are “intrinsically red” quasars in the midst of turnoff?Why is turnoff synchronized?Why is turnoff but not growth linked to the host galaxy?What is the origin of the M- relation?

How are supermassive black holes seeded synchronously?How do the biggest, earliest central black holes form?Does this mean they are seeded before the first stars?Is it possible to make primordial black hole seeds?

Summary: We don’t know how supermassive black holes are born, how they grow, or why they die.

The supermassive black hole lifecycle: new, open questions

1) Seeding

2) Growth

3) Turnoff

Are all quasars at a characteristic luminosity?Why is evolution synchronous but time-dependent? Why is the accretion rate sublinear in mass?Can we use quasars as standard candles?

Is turnoff permanent?Are “intrinsically red” quasars in the midst of turnoff?Why is turnoff synchronized?Why is turnoff but not growth linked to the host galaxy?What is the origin of the M- relation?

How are supermassive black holes seeded synchronously?How do the biggest, earliest central black holes form?Does this mean they are seeded before the first stars?Is it possible to make primordial black hole seeds?

Summary: We don’t know how supermassive black holes are born, how they grow, or why they die.

The supermassive black hole lifecycle: new, open questions

1) Seeding

2) Growth

3) Turnoff

Are all quasars at a characteristic luminosity?Why is evolution synchronous but time-dependent? Why is the accretion rate sublinear in mass?Can we use quasars as standard candles?

Is turnoff permanent?Are “intrinsically red” quasars in the midst of turnoff?Why is turnoff synchronized?Why is turnoff but not growth linked to the host galaxy?What is the origin of the M- relation?

How are supermassive black holes seeded synchronously?How do the biggest, earliest central black holes form?Does this mean they are seeded before the first stars?Is it possible to make primordial black hole seeds?

Summary: Something exciting is about to happen!

Steinhardt & Elvis 2010, MNRAS 402, 2637 (sub-Eddington boundary)Steinhardt & Elvis 2010, MNRAS in press (Turnoff/Synchronization)Steinhardt & Elvis 2010, MNRAS 406, L1(Virial Masses)Steinhardt, Elvis, & Amarie 2010, sub. MNRAS (tracks)