Abstract
Abstract The relation establishes a connection between central black holes (BHs) and their host spheroids. Supported by observations at , there is limited data on its validity at lower masses. Employing a semi-analytical model to simulate the combined evolution of BHs and their host galaxies, we predict the observational consequences of assuming a bimodality in the accretion efficiency of BHs, with low-mass BHs ( ) accreting inefficiently. We predict a departure from the relation at a transitional BH mass , with lower-mass BHs unable to reach the mass dictated by the relation and becoming disconnected from the evolution of the host galaxy. This prediction is an alternative to previous works suggesting a flattening of the relation at . Furthermore, we predict a deficit of BHs shining at bolometric luminosities . Joined with a detection bias, this could partly explain the scarce number of intermediate-mass BHs detected. Conversely, we predict an increase in source density at lower bolometric luminosities, . Because our predictions assume a bimodal population of high-redshift BH seeds, future observations of fainter BHs will be fundamental for constraining the nature of these seeds.
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