Simulations of AGN-driven Galactic Outflow Morphology and Content

Abstract

Abstract Using a series of 3D relativistic hydrodynamical simulations of active galactic nuclei (AGN) we investigate how AGN power, a clumpy interstellar medium (ISM) structure, and AGN jet angle with respect to the galactic disk affect the morphology and content of the resulting galactic outflow. For low-power AGN across three orders of magnitude of AGN luminosities (1041–1043 erg s−1) our simulations did not show significant changes to either the morphology or total mass of the outflow. Changing the angle of the AGN jet with respect to the galaxy did show small changes in the total outflow mass of a factor of 2–3. Jets perpendicular to the galactic disk created hot single-phase outflows, while jets close to parallel with the disk created multiphase outflows with equal parts warm and hot, and significant cold gas. Overall the final morphology of low-power AGN outflows depends primarily on how the jet impacts and interacts with large, dense clouds in the clumpy ISM. These clouds can disrupt, deflect, split, or suppress the jet, preventing it from leaving the galactic disk as a coherent structure. But for simulations with AGN luminosities > 1044 erg s−1 the ISM played a minor role in determining the morphology of the outflow with an undisrupted jet leaving the disk. The final morphology of AGN outflows is different for low-power AGNs versus high-power AGNs with the final morphology of low-power AGN outflows dependent on the ISM structure within the first kiloparsec surrounding the AGN.