Virial Temperature Research Articles

Halos in Dark Ages: Formation and Chemistry

Abstract Formation of halos in the dark ages from initial spherical perturbations is analyzed in a four-component universe (dark matter, dark energy, baryonic matter, and radiation) in the approximation of relativistic hydrodynamics. Evolution of density and velocity perturbations of each component is obtained by integration of a system of nine differential equations from z = 108 up to virialization, which is described phenomenologically. It is shown that the number density of dark matter halos with masses M ∼ 108–109 M ⊙ virialized at z ∼ 10 is close to the number density of galaxies in comoving coordinates. The dynamical dark energy of classical scalar field type does not significantly influence the evolution of the other components, but dark energy with a small value of effective sound speed can affect the final halo state. Simultaneously, the formation/dissociation of the first molecules has been analyzed in the halos that are forming. The results show that number densities of molecules H2 and HD at the moment of halo virialization are ∼103 and ∼400 times larger, respectively, than on a uniformly expanding background. This is caused by increased density and rates of reactions at quasi-linear and nonlinear evolution stages of density and velocity of the baryonic component of halos. It is shown also that the temperature history of the halo is important for calculating the concentration of molecular ions with low binding energy. Hence, in a halo with virial temperature ∼105 K the number density of the molecular ion HeH+ is approximately 100 times smaller than that on the cosmological background.

The rapid growth phase of supermassive black holes

We investigate the rapid growth phase of supermassive black holes (BHs) within the hydrodynamical cosmological \eagle simulation. This non-linear phase of BH growth occurs within $\sim$$L_{*}$ galaxies, embedded between two regulatory states of the galaxy host: in sub $L_{*}$ galaxies efficient stellar feedback regulates the gas inflow onto the galaxy and significantly reduces the growth of the central BH, while in galaxies more massive than $L_{*}$ efficient AGN feedback regulates the gas inflow onto the galaxy and curbs further non-linear BH growth. We find evolving critical galaxy and halo mass scales at which rapid BH growth begins. Galaxies in the low-redshift Universe transition into the rapid BH growth phase in haloes that are approximately an order of magnitude more massive than their high-redshift counterparts (\M{200} $\approx 10^{12.4}$~\Msol at $z \approx 0$ decreasing to \M{200} $\approx 10^{11.2}$~\Msol at $z \approx 6$). Instead, BHs enter the rapid growth phase at a fixed critical halo virial temperature ($T_{\mathrm{vir}} \approx 10^{5.6}$~K). We additionally show that major galaxy--galaxy interactions ($\mu \geq \frac{1}{4}$, where $\mu$ is the stellar mass ratio) play a substantial role in triggering the rapid growth phase of BHs in the low-redshift Universe, whilst potentially having a lower influence at high redshift. Approximately 40\% of BHs that initiate the rapid BH growth phase at $z \approx 0$ do so within $\pm 0.5$ dynamical times of a major galaxy--galaxy merger, a fourfold increase above what is expected from the background merger rate. We find that minor mergers ($\frac{1}{10} \leq \mu < \frac{1}{4}$) have a substantially lower influence in triggering the rapid growth phase at all epochs.

The multiphase circumgalactic medium traced by low metal ions in EAGLE zoom simulations

We explore the circumgalactic metal content traced by commonly observed low ion absorbers, including C II, Si II, Si III, Si IV, and Mg II. We use a set of cosmological hydrodynamical zoom simulations run with the EAGLE model and including a non-equilibrium ionization and cooling module that follows 136 ions. The simulations of z~0.2 L* (M_200=10^11.7-10^12.3 Msol) haloes hosting star-forming galaxies and group-sized (M_200=10^12.7-10^13.3 Msol) haloes hosting mainly passive galaxies reproduce key trends observed by the COS-Halos survey-- low ion column densities show 1) little dependence on galaxy specific star formation rate, 2) a patchy covering fraction indicative of 10^4 K clouds with a small volume filling factor, and 3) a declining covering fraction as impact parameter increases from 20-160 kpc. Simulated Si II, Si III, Si IV, C II, and C III column densities show good agreement with observations, while Mg II is under-predicted. Low ions trace a significant metal reservoir, ~10^8 Msol, residing primarily at 10-100 kpc from star-forming and passive central galaxies. These clouds tend to flow inwards and most will accrete onto the central galaxy within the next several Gyr, while a small fraction are entrained in strong outflows. A two-phase structure describes the inner CGM (<0.5 R_200) with low-ion metal clouds surrounded by a hot, ambient medium. This cool phase is separate from the O VI observed by COS-Halos, which arises from the outer CGM (>0.5 R_200) tracing virial temperature gas around L* galaxies. Physical parameters derived from standard photo-ionization modelling of observed column densities (e.g. aligned Si II/Si III absorbers) are validated against our simulations. Our simulations therefore support previous ionization models indicating that cloud covering factors decline while densities and pressures show little variation with increasing impact parameter.

Results from EDGES High-band. II. Constraints on Parameters of Early Galaxies

Abstract We use the sky-average spectrum measured by EDGES High-band (90–190 MHz) to constrain parameters of early galaxies independent of the absorption feature at 78 MHz reported by Bowman et al. These parameters represent traditional models of cosmic dawn and the epoch of reionization produced with the 21cmFAST simulation code. The parameters considered are (1) the UV ionizing efficiency (ζ); (2) minimum halo virial temperature hosting efficient star-forming galaxies ( ); (3) integrated soft-band X-ray luminosity ( ); and (4) minimum X-ray energy escaping the first galaxies (E 0), corresponding to a typical H i column density for attenuation through the interstellar medium. The High-band spectrum disfavors high values of and ζ, which correspond to signals with late absorption troughs and sharp reionization transitions. It also disfavors intermediate values of , which produce relatively deep and narrow troughs within the band. Specifically, we rule out (95% C.L.). We then combine the EDGES High-band data with constraints on the electron-scattering optical depth from Planck and the hydrogen neutral fraction from high-z quasars. This produces a lower degeneracy between ζ and than that reported by Greig &amp; Mesinger using the Planck and quasar constraints alone. Our main result in this combined analysis is the estimate (95% C.L.). We leave the evaluation of 21 cm models using simultaneously data from EDGES Low- and High-band for future work.

Stellar feedback and the energy budget of late-type Galaxies: missing baryons and core creation

In a $\Lambda$CDM cosmology, galaxy formation is a globally inefficient process: it is often the case that far fewer baryons are observed in galaxy disks than expected from the cosmic baryon fraction. The location of these "missing baryons" is unclear. By fitting halo profiles to the rotation curves of galaxies in the SPARC data set, we measure the "missing baryon" mass for individual late-type systems. Assuming that haloes initially accrete the cosmological baryon fraction, we show that the maximum energy available from supernovae is typically not enough to completely eject these "missing baryons" from a halo, but it is often sufficient to heat them to the virial temperature. The energy available from supernovae has the same scaling with galaxy mass as the energy needed to heat or eject the "missing baryons", indicating that the coupling efficiency of the feedback to the ISM may be constant with galaxy virial mass. We further find that the energy available from supernova feedback is always enough to convert a primordial cusp into a core and has magnitude consistent with what is required to heat the "missing baryons" to the virial temperature. Taking a census of the baryon content of galaxies with ${\rm 10^9<M_{vir}/M_{\odot}<10^{12}}$ reveals that $\sim86\%$ of baryons are likely to be in a hot phase surrounding the galaxies and possibly observable in the X-ray, $\sim7\%$ are in the form of cold gas, and $\sim7\%$ are in stars.

Self-sustaining Star Formation Fronts in Filaments during the Cosmic Dawn

Abstract We propose a new model for the ignition of star formation in low-mass halos by a self-sustaining shock front in cosmic filaments at high redshifts. The gaseous fuel for star formation resides in low-mass halos that cannot cool on their own due to their primordial composition and low virial temperatures. We show that star formation can be triggered in these filaments by a passing shock wave. The shells swept up by the shock cool and fragment into cold clumps that form massive stars via thermal instability on a timescale shorter than the front’s dynamical timescale. The shock, in turn, is self-sustained by energy injection from supernova explosions. The star formation front is analogous to a detonation wave, which drives exothermic reactions powering the shock. We find that sustained star formation would typically propel the front to a speed of ∼300–700 km s−1 during the epoch of reionization. Future observations by the James Webb Space Telescope could reveal the illuminated regions of cosmic filaments, and constrain the initial mass function of stars in them.

The Mass and Absorption Column Densities of Galactic Gaseous Halos. II. The High Ionization State Ions

Abstract The high ionization state ions trace the hot gases in the universe, of which gaseous halos around galaxies are a major contributor. Following Qu &amp; Bregman, we calculate the gaseous halo contribution to the observed column density distributions for these ions by convolving the gaseous halo model with the observed stellar mass function. The predicted column density distribution reproduces the general shape of the observed column density distribution—a broken power law with the break point at for O vi. Our modeling suggests that the high column density systems originate from galaxies for which the virial temperature matches the temperature of the ionization fraction peak. Specifically, this mass range is for O vi, for Ne viii, and higher for higher ionization state ions (assuming ). A comparison with the observed O vi column density distribution prefers a large radius model, where the maximum radius is twice the virial radius. This model may be in conflict with the more poorly defined Ne viii column density distribution, suggesting that further observations are warranted. The redshift evolution of the high column density systems is dominated by the change of the cosmic star formation rate, which decreases from z = 1.0 to the local universe. Some differences at lower column densities between our models and observations indicate that absorption by the intragroup (cluster) medium and intergalactic medium is also a contributor to the total column density distributions.

The Extended Distribution of Baryons around Galaxies

Abstract We summarize and reanalyze observations bearing on missing galactic baryons, where we propose a consistent picture for halo gas in L ≳ L* galaxies. The hot X-ray-emitting halos are detected to 50–70 kpc, where typically M hot(&lt;50 kpc) ∼ 5 × 109 M ⊙, and with density n ∝ r −3/2. When extrapolated to R 200, the gas mass is comparable to the stellar mass, but about half of the baryons are still missing from the hot phase. If extrapolated to 1.7R 200–3R 200, the ratio of baryon to dark matter approaches the cosmic value. Significantly flatter density profiles are unlikely for R &lt; 50 kpc, and they are disfavored but not ruled out for R &gt; 50 kpc. For the Milky Way, the hot halo metallicity lies in the range 0.3–1 solar for R &lt; 50 kpc. Planck measurements of the thermal Sunyaev–Zel’dovich (SZ) effect toward stacked luminous galaxies (primarily early type) indicate that most of their baryons are hot, are near the virial temperature, and extend beyond R 200. This stacked SZ signal is nearly an order of magnitude larger than that inferred from the X-ray observations of individual (mostly spiral) galaxies with M * &gt; 1011.3 M ⊙. This difference suggests that the hot halo properties are distinct for early- and late-type galaxies, possibly due to different evolutionary histories. For the cooler gas detected in UV absorption line studies, we argue that there are two absorption populations: extended halos, and disks extending to ∼50 kpc, containing most of this gas, and with masses a few times lower than the stellar masses. Such extended disks are also seen in 21 cm H i observations and in simulations.

Massive black hole and Population III galaxy formation in overmassive dark-matter haloes with violent merger histories

We propose the formation of massive pristine dark-matter (DM) halos with masses of $\sim 10^8~M_\odot$, due to the dynamical effects of frequent mergers in rare regions of the Universe with high baryonic streaming velocity relative to DM. Since the streaming motion prevents gas collapse into DM halos and delays prior star formation episodes, the gas remains metal-free until the halo virial temperatures $\gtrsim 2\times 10^4~{\rm K}$. The minimum cooling mass of DM halos is boosted by a factor of $\sim 10-30$ because frequent major mergers of halos further inhibit gas collapse. We use Monte Carlo merger trees to simulate the DM assembly history under a streaming velocity of twice the root-mean-square value, and estimate the number density of massive DM halos containing pristine gas as $\simeq 10^{-4}~{\rm cMpc}^{-3}$. When the gas infall begins, efficient Ly$\alpha$ cooling drives cold streams penetrating inside the halo and feeding a central galactic disk. When one stream collides with the disk, strong shock forms a dense and hot gas cloud, where the gas never forms H$_2$ molecules due to effective collisional dissociation. As a result, a massive gas cloud forms by gravitational instability and collapses directly into a massive black hole (BH) with $M_\bullet \sim 10^5~M_\odot$. Almost simultaneously, a galaxy with $M_{\star, \rm tot}\sim 10^6~M_\odot$ composed of Population III stars forms in the nuclear region. If the typical stellar mass is as high as $\sim 100~M_\odot$, the galaxy could be detected with the James Webb Space Telescope even at $z\gtrsim 15$. These massive seed BHs would be fed by continuous gas accretion from the host galaxy, and grow to be bright quasars observed at $z\gtrsim 6$.

Fully analytical solutions for Bondi accretion in galaxies with a central Black Hole

AbstractThe fully analytical solution for isothermal Bondi accretion on a black hole (MBH) at the center of JJ two-component Jaffe (1983) galaxy models is presented. In JJ models the stellar and total mass density distributions are described by the Jaffe profile, with different scale-lengths and masses, and to which a central MBH is added; all the relevant stellar dynamical properties can also be derived analytically. In these new accretion solutions the hydrodynamical and stellar dynamical properties are linked by imposing that the gas temperature is proportional to the virial temperature of the stellar component. The formulae that are provided allow to evaluate all flow properties, and are then useful for estimates of the accretion radius and the mass flow rate when modeling accretion on MBHs at the center of galaxies.

Gas Contents of Galaxy Groups from Thermal Sunyaev–Zel’dovich Effects

Abstract A matched filter technique is applied to the Planck all-sky Compton y-parameter map to measure the thermal Sunyaev–Zel’dovich (tSZ) effect produced by galaxy groups of different halo masses selected from large redshift surveys in the low-z universe. Reliable halo mass estimates are available for all of the groups, which allows us to bin groups of similar halo masses to investigate how the tSZ effect depends on halo mass over a large mass range. Filters are simultaneously matched for all groups to minimize projection effects. We find that the integrated y-parameter and the hot gas content it implies are consistent with the predictions of the universal pressure profile model only for massive groups above , but much lower than the model prediction for low-mass groups. The halo mass dependence found is in good agreement with the predictions of a set of simulations that include strong active galactic nucleus feedback, but simulations including only supernova feedback significantly overpredict the hot gas contents in galaxy groups. Our results suggest that hot gas in galaxy groups is either effectively ejected or in phases much below the virial temperatures of the host halos.

Correlation between the Total Gravitating Mass of Groups and Clusters and the Supermassive Black Hole Mass of Brightest Galaxies

Abstract Supermassive black holes (BHs) residing in the brightest cluster galaxies are over-massive relative to the stellar bulge mass or central stellar velocity dispersion of their host galaxies. As BHs residing at the bottom of the galaxy cluster’s potential well may undergo physical processes that are driven by the large-scale characteristics of the galaxy clusters, it is possible that the growth of these BHs is (indirectly) governed by the properties of their host clusters. In this work, we explore the connection between the mass of BHs residing in the brightest group/cluster galaxies (BGGs/BCGs) and the virial temperature, and hence total gravitating mass, of galaxy groups/clusters. To this end, we investigate a sample of 17 BGGs/BCGs with dynamical BH mass measurements and utilize XMM-Newton X-ray observations to measure the virial temperatures and infer the mass of the galaxy groups/clusters. We find that the relation is significantly tighter and exhibits smaller scatter than the relations. The best-fitting power-law relations are and = . Thus, the BH mass of BGGs/BCGs may be set by physical processes that are governed by the properties of the host galaxy group/cluster. These results are confronted with the Horizon-AGN simulation, which reproduces the observed relations well, albeit the simulated relations exhibit notably smaller scatter.

Warm dark matter constraints from high-z direct collapse black holes using the JWST

We use a semi-analytic model, ${\it Delphi}$, that jointly tracks the dark matter and baryonic assembly of high-redshift ($z \simeq 4-20$) galaxies to gain insight on the number density of Direct Collapse Black Hole (DCBH) hosts in three different cosmologies: the standard Cold Dark Matter (CDM) model and two Warm Dark Matter (WDM) models with particle masses of 3.5 and 1.5 keV. Obtaining the Lyman-Werner (LW) luminosity of each galaxy from ${\it Delphi}$, we use a clustering bias analysis to identify all, pristine halos with a virial temperature $T_{vir}>=10^4$ K that are irradiated by a LW background above a critical value as, DCBH hosts. In good agreement with previous studies, we find the DCBH number density rises from $\sim10^{-6.1}$ to $\sim 10^{-3.5}\, \mathrm{cMpc^{-3}}$ from $z\simeq 17.5$ to $8$ in the CDM model using a critical LW background value of $30 J_{21}$ (where $J_{21}= 10^{-21} \, {\rm erg\, s^{-1}\, Hz^{-1} \, cm^{-2} \, sr^{-1}}$). We find that a combination of delayed structure formation and an accelerated assembly of galaxies results in a later metal-enrichment and an accelerated build-up of the LW background in the 1.5 keV WDM model, resulting in DCBH hosts persisting down to much lower redshifts ($z \simeq 5$) as compared to CDM where DCBH hosts only exist down to $z \simeq 8$. We end by showing how the expected colours in three different bands of the Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) onboard the forthcoming James Webb Space Telescope (${\it JWST}$) can be used to hunt for potential $z \simeq 5-9$ DCBHs, allowing hints on the WDM particle mass.

The Impact of the Group Environment on the O vi Circumgalactic Medium

Abstract We present a study comparing O vi λλ1031, 1037 doublet absorption found toward group galaxy environments to that of isolated galaxies. The O vi absorption in the circumgalactic medium (CGM) of isolated galaxies has been studied previously by the “Multiphase Galaxy Halos” survey, where the kinematics and absorption properties of the CGM have been investigated. We extend these studies to group environments. We define a galaxy group as having two or more galaxies with a line-of-sight velocity difference of no more than 1000 km s−1 and located within 350 kpc (projected) of a background quasar sightline. We identified a total of six galaxy groups associated with O vi absorption W r &gt; 0.06 Å that have a median redshift of and a median impact parameter of . An additional 12 non-absorbing groups were identified with a median redshift of and a median impact parameter of . We find the average equivalent width to be smaller for group galaxies than for isolated galaxies (3σ). However, the covering fractions are consistent with both samples. We used the pixel-velocity two-point correlation function method and find that the velocity spread of O vi in the CGM of group galaxies is significantly narrower than that of isolated galaxies (10σ). We suggest that the warm/hot CGM does not exist as a superposition of halos; instead, the virial temperature of the halo is hot enough for O vi to be further ionized. The remaining O vi likely exists at the interface between hot diffuse gas and cooler regions of the CGM.

Constraining the epoch-of-reionization model parameters with the 21-cm bispectrum

We perform a Fisher analysis to estimate the expected constraints on the Epoch of Reionization (EoR) model parameters (i.e., minimum virial temperature, the ionizing efficiency and the mean free path of ionizing photons) taking into account the thermal noise of the exisitting telescopes, MWA and LOFAR. We consider how the inclusion of the 21cm bispectrum improves the constraints compared to using the power spectrum alone. Assuming that we perfectly remove the foreground, we found that the bispectrum, which is calculated by the 21cmFAST code, can constrain the EoR model parameters more tightly than the power spectrum since the bispectrum is more sensitive to the EoR model parameters than the power spectrum. We also found that degeneracy between the EoR model parameters can be broken by combining the bispectrum with the power spectrum.

The global history of reionization

Using a Bayesian framework, we quantify what current observations imply about the history of the epoch of reionisation (EoR). We use a popular, three-parameter EoR model, flexible enough to accommodate a wide range of physically-plausible reionisation histories. We study the impact of various EoR observations: (i) the optical depth to the CMB measured by Planck 2016; (ii) the dark fraction in the Lyman $\alpha$ and $\beta$ forests; (iii) the redshift evolution of galactic Ly$\alpha$ emission (so-called "Ly$\alpha$ fraction"); (iv) the clustering of Ly$\alpha$ emitters; (v) the IGM damping wing imprint in the spectrum of QSO ULASJ1120+0641; (vi) and the patchy kinetic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich signal. Combined, (i) and (ii) already place interesting constraints on the reionisation history, with the epochs corresponding to an average neutral fraction of (75, 50, 25) per cent, constrained at 1$\sigma$ to $z= (9.21\substack{+1.22 -1.15}, 8.14\substack{+1.08 -1.00}, 7.26\substack{+1.13 -0.96})$. Folding-in more model-dependent EoR observations [(iii--vi)], strengthens these constraints by tens of per cent, at the cost of a decrease in the likelihood of the best-fit model, driven mostly by (iii). The tightest constraints come from (v). Unfortunately, no current observational set is sufficient to break degeneracies and constrain the astrophysical EoR parameters. However, model-dependent priors on the EoR parameters themselves can be used to set tight limits by excluding regions of parameter space with strong degeneracies. Motivated by recent observations of $z\sim7$ faint, lensed galaxies, we show how a conservative upper limit on the virial temperature of haloes which host reionising galaxies can constrain the escape fraction of ionising photons to $f_{\rm esc} = 0.14\substack{+0.26 -0.09}$

THE MASSIVE SURVEY. IV. THE X-RAY HALOS OF THE MOST MASSIVE EARLY-TYPE GALAXIES IN THE NEARBY UNIVERSE

ABSTRACT Studies of the physical properties of local elliptical galaxies are shedding new light on galaxy formation. Here we present the hot-gas properties of 33 early-type systems within the MASSIVE galaxy survey that have archival Chandra X-ray observations, and we use these data to derive X-ray luminosities ( ) and plasma temperatures ( ) for the diffuse gas components. We combine this with the survey to investigate the X-ray–optical properties of a statistically significant sample of early-type galaxies across a wide range of environments. When X-ray measurements are performed consistently in apertures set by the galaxy stellar content, we deduce that all early types (independent of galaxy mass, environment, and rotational support) follow a universal scaling law such that . We further demonstrate that the scatter in around both K-band luminosity (L K ) and the galaxy stellar velocity dispersion ( ) is primarily driven by , with no clear trends with halo mass, radio power, or angular momentum of the stars. It is not trivial to tie the gas origin directly to either stellar mass or galaxy potential. Indeed, our data require a steeper relation between , and than predicted by standard mass-loss models. Finally, we find that is set by the galaxy potential inside the optical effective radius. We conclude that within the innermost 10–30 kpc region, early types maintain pressure-supported hot gas, with a minimum set by the virial temperature, but the majority show evidence for additional heating.

Expected constraints on models of the epoch of reionization with the variance and skewness in redshifted 21 cm-line fluctuations

Abstract The redshifted 21 cm-line signal from neutral hydrogen in the intergalactic medium (IGM) gives a direct probe of the epoch of reionization (EoR). In this paper, we investigate the potential of the variance and skewness of the probability distribution function of the 21 cm brightness temperature for constraining EoR models. These statistical quantities are simple, easy to calculate from the observed visibility, and thus suitable for the early exploration of the EoR with current telescopes such as the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) and LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR). We show, by performing Fisher analysis, that the variance and skewness at z = 7–9 are complementary to each other to constrain the EoR model parameters such as the minimum virial temperature of halos which host luminous objects, ionizing efficiency, and mean free path of ionizing photons in the IGM. Quantitatively, the constraining power highly depends on the quality of the foreground subtraction and calibration. We give a best case estimate of the constraints on the parameters, neglecting the systematics other than the thermal noise.

Bimodality of low-redshift circumgalactic O vi in non-equilibrium eagle zoom simulations

We introduce a series of 20 cosmological hydrodynamical simulations of Lstar (M_200 =10^11.7 - 10^12.3 Msol) and group-sized (M_200 = 10^12.7 - 10^13.3 Msol) haloes run with the model used for the EAGLE project, which additionally includes a non-equilibrium ionization and cooling module that follows 136 ions. The simulations reproduce the observed correlation, revealed by COS-Halos at z~0.2, between O VI column density at impact parameters b < 150 kpc and the specific star formation rate (sSFR=SFR/Mstar) of the central galaxy at z~0.2. We find that the column density of circumgalactic O VI is maximal in the haloes associated with Lstar galaxies, because their virial temperatures are close to the temperature at which the ionization fraction of O VI peaks (T~10^5.5 K). The higher virial temperature of group haloes (> 10^6 K) promotes oxygen to higher ionization states, suppressing the O VI column density. The observed NO VI-sSFR correlation therefore does not imply a causal link, but reflects the changing characteristic ionization state of oxygen as halo mass is increased. In spite of the mass-dependence of the oxygen ionization state, the most abundant circumgalactic oxygen ion in both Lstar and group haloes is O VII; O VI accounts for only 0.1% of the oxygen in group haloes and 0.9-1.3% with Lstar haloes. Nonetheless, the metals traced by O VI absorbers represent a fossil record of the feedback history of galaxies over a Hubble time; their characteristic epoch of ejection corresponds to z > 1 and much of the ejected metal mass resides beyond the virial radius of galaxies. For both Lstar and group galaxies, more of the oxygen produced and released by stars resides in the circumgalactic medium (within twice the virial radius) than in the stars and ISM of the galaxy.

Hyper-Eddington accretion flows on to massive black holes

We study very-high rate spherically symmetric accretion flows onto a massive black hole (BH; 10^2 < M_BH < 10^6 Msun) embedded in a dense gas cloud with a low abundance of metals, performing one-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations which include multi-frequency radiation transfer and non-equilibrium primordial chemistry. We find that rapid gas supply from the Bondi radius at a hyper-Eddington rate can occur without being impeded by radiation feedback when (n/10^5 cm^-3) > (M_BH/10^4Msun)^{-1}(T/10^4 K)^{3/2}, where n and T are the density and temperature of ambient gas outside of the Bondi radius. The resulting accretion rate in this regime is steady, and larger than 3000 times the Eddington rate. At lower Bondi rates, the accretion is episodic due to radiative feedback and the average rate is limited below the Eddington rate. For the hyper-Eddington case, the steady solution consists of two parts: a radiation-dominated central core, where photon trapping due to electron scattering is important, and an accreting envelope which follows a Bondi profile with T~8000 K. When the emergent luminosity is limited below the Eddington luminosity because of photon trapping, radiation from the central region does not affect the gas dynamics at larger scales. We apply our result to the rapid formation of massive BHs in protogalaxies with a virial temperature of T_vir> 10^4 K. Once a seed BH forms at the center of the galaxy, it can grow up to a maximum ~10^5 (T_vir/10^4 K) Msun via gas accretion independent of the initial BH mass. Finally, we discuss possible observational signatures of rapidly accreting BHs with/without allowance for dust. We suggest that these systems could explain Lya emitters without X-rays and luminous infrared sources with hot dust emission, respectively.