scholarly journals A comparison of H2 formation models at high redshift

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (4) ◽  
pp. 5008-5023 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Schäbe ◽  
Emilio Romano-Díaz ◽  
Cristiano Porciani ◽  
Aaron D Ludlow ◽  
Matteo Tomassetti
Keyword(s):  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Empirical Method ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Rate Equations ◽  
Approximate Methods ◽  
Ab Initio Simulations ◽  
H2 Formation ◽  
Semi Empirical ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Modelling the molecular gas that is routinely detected through CO observations of high-redshift galaxies constitutes a major challenge for ab initio simulations of galaxy formation. We carry out a suite of cosmological hydrodynamic simulations to compare three approximate methods that have been used in the literature to track the formation and evolution of the simplest and most abundant molecule, H2. Namely, we consider (i) a semi-empirical procedure that associates H2 to dark-matter haloes based on a series of scaling relations inferred from observations, (ii) a model that assumes chemical equilibrium between the H2 formation and destruction rates, and (iii) a model that fully solves the out-of-equilibrium rate equations and accounts for the unresolved structure of molecular clouds. We study the impact of finite spatial resolution and show that robust H2 masses at redshift $z$ ≈ 4 can only be obtained for galaxies that are sufficiently metal enriched in which H2 formation is fast. This corresponds to H2 reservoirs with masses $M_{\mathrm{H_2}}\gtrsim 6\times 10^9$ M⊙. In this range, equilibrium and non-equilibrium models predict similar molecular masses (but different galaxy morphologies) while the semi-empirical method produces less H2. The star formation rates as well as the stellar and H2 masses of the simulated galaxies are in line with those observed in actual galaxies at similar redshifts that are not massive starbursts. The H2 mass functions extracted from the simulations at $z$ ≈ 4 agree well with recent observations that only sample the high-mass end. However, our results indicate that most molecular material at high $z$ lies yet undetected in reservoirs with $10^9\lt M_{\mathrm{H}_2}\lt 10^{10}$ M⊙.

scholarly journals 13C/18O ratio as a litmus test of stellar IMF variations in high-redshift starbursts

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S352) ◽  
pp. 234-238
Author(s):  
Donatella Romano ◽  
Zhi-Yu Zhang ◽  
Francesca Matteucci ◽  
Rob J. Ivison ◽  
Padelis P. Papadopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
Direct Methods ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Initial Mass Function ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Theoretical Ground ◽  
Litmus Test ◽  
The Universe

AbstractDetermining the shape of the stellar initial mass function (IMF) and whether it is constant or varies in space and time is the Holy Grail of modern astrophysics, with profound implications for all theories of star and galaxy formation. On a theoretical ground, the extreme conditions for star formation (SF) encountered in the most powerful starbursts in the Universe are expected to favour the formation of massive stars. Direct methods of IMF determination, however, cannot probe such systems, because of the severe dust obscuration affecting their starlight. The next best option is to observe CNO bearing molecules in the interstellar medium at millimetre/ submillimetre wavelengths, which, in principle, provides the best indirect evidence for IMF variations. In this contribution, we present our recent findings on this issue. First, we reassess the roles of different types of stars in the production of CNO isotopes. Then, we calibrate a proprietary chemical evolution code using Milky Way data from the literature, and extend it to discuss extragalactic data. We show that, though significant uncertainties still hamper our knowledge of the evolution of CNO isotopes in galaxies, compelling evidence for an IMF skewed towards high-mass stars can be found for galaxy-wide starbursts. In particular, we analyse a sample of submillimetre galaxies observed by us with the Atacama Large Millimetre Array at the peak of the SF activity of the Universe, for which we measure 13C/18O⋍1. This isotope ratio is especially sensitive to IMF variations, and is little affected by observational uncertainties. At the end, ongoing developments of our work are briefly outlined.

scholarly journals The potential of using KMOS for multi-object massive star spectroscopy

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (S329) ◽  
pp. 454-454
Author(s):  
Michael Wegner ◽  
Ralf Bender ◽  
Ray Sharples ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Galactic Centre ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Spectral Bands ◽  
Galaxy Formation And Evolution ◽  
Potential Applications

AbstractKMOS, the “K-Band Multi-Object Spectrometer”, was built by a British-German consortium as a second generation instrument for the ESO Paranal Observatory. It is available to the user community since its successful commissioning in 2013 (Sharples et al. 2013). As a multi-object integral field spectrometer for the near infrared, KMOS offers 24 deployable IFUs of 2.8x2.8 arcsec and 14x14 spatial pixels each, which can either be placed individually within a 7.2 arcmin field of view or combined in a Mosaic mode in order to map contiguous fields on sky. The instrument covers the whole range of NIR atmospheric windows (0.8. . .2.5μm) with 5 spectral bands and a resolution of R ≈ 3000. . .4000.Although the main science driver for KMOS was to enable the study of galaxy formation and evolution through multiplexed observations of high-redshift galaxies, KMOS also already exhibited its tremendous potential for the spectroscopy of massive stars: A quantitative study of 27 RSGs in NGC 300 (Gazak et al. 2015) proves its applicability for the spectroscopy of individual stars even beyond the Local Group. A Mosaic observation of the Galactic centre (Feldmeier-Krause et al. 2015) demonstrates how spectra of early-type stars can be extracted from a contiguous field. Other applications include (but need not be limited to) velocity determinations of globular cluster stars, observations of jets/outflows of high mass protostars, or contiguous mapping of star-forming regions.We therefore aim at presenting the excellent capabilities of KMOS to a wider community and indicate potential applications.

scholarly journals G.A.S.

2019 ◽  
Vol 627 ◽  
pp. A131 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Cousin ◽  
P. Guillard ◽  
M. D. Lehnert
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Turbulent Energy ◽  
Stellar Mass ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Radiative Cooling ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Good Agreement

Context. Star formation in galaxies is inefficient, and understanding how star formation is regulated in galaxies is one of the most fundamental challenges of contemporary astrophysics. Radiative cooling, feedback from supernovae and active galactic nuclei (AGN), and large-scale dynamics and dissipation of turbulent energy act over various time and spatial scales and all regulate star formation in a complex gas cycle. Aims. This paper presents the physics implemented in a new semi-analytical model of galaxy formation and evolution called the Galaxy Assembler from dark-matter Simulation (G.A.S.). Methods. The fundamental underpinning of our new model is the development of a multiphase interstellar medium (ISM) in which energy produced by supernovae and AGN maintains an equilibrium between a diffuse, hot, and stable gas and a cooler, clumpy, and low-volume filling factor gas. The hot gas is susceptible to thermal and dynamical instabilities. We include a description of how turbulence leads to the formation of giant molecular clouds through an inertial turbulent energy cascade, assuming a constant kinetic energy transfer per unit volume. We explicitly modelled the evolution of the velocity dispersion at different scales of the cascade and accounted for thermal instabilities in the hot halo gas. Thermal instabilities effectively reduce the impact of radiative cooling and moderates accretion rates onto galaxies, and in particular, for those residing in massive haloes. Results. We show that rapid and multiple exchanges between diffuse and unstable gas phases strongly regulates star formation rates in galaxies because only a small fraction of the unstable gas is forming stars. We checked that the characteristic timescales describing the gas cycle, gas depletion timescale, and star-forming laws at different scales are in good agreement with observations. For high-mass haloes and galaxies, cooling is naturally regulated by the growth of thermal instabilities, so we do not need to implement strong AGN feedback in this model. Our results are also in good agreement with the observed stellar mass function from z ≃ 6.0 to z ≃ 0.5. Conclusion. Our model offers the flexibility to test the impact of various physical processes on the regulation of star formation on a representative population of galaxies across cosmic times. Thermal instabilities and the cascade of turbulent energy in the dense gas phase introduce a delay between gas accretion and star formation, which keeps galaxy growth inefficient in the early Universe. The main results presented in this paper, such as stellar mass functions, are available in the GALAKSIENN library.

scholarly journals The Black Hole Mass Function Across Cosmic Times. I. Stellar Black Holes and Light Seed Distribution

2022 ◽  
Vol 924 (2) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Alex Sicilia ◽  
Andrea Lapi ◽  
Lumen Boco ◽  
Mario Spera ◽  
Ugo N. Di Carlo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Black Hole ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Stellar Mass ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Minor Effect ◽  
Density Parameter ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Seed Distribution ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This is the first paper in a series aimed at modeling the black hole (BH) mass function, from the stellar to the intermediate to the (super)massive regime. In the present work, we focus on stellar BHs and provide an ab initio computation of their mass function across cosmic times; we mainly consider the standard, and likely dominant, production channel of stellar-mass BHs constituted by isolated single/binary star evolution. Specifically, we exploit the state-of-the-art stellar and binary evolutionary code SEVN, and couple its outputs with redshift-dependent galaxy statistics and empirical scaling relations involving galaxy metallicity, star formation rate and stellar mass. The resulting relic mass function dN / dVd log m • as a function of the BH mass m • features a rather flat shape up to m • ≈ 50 M ⊙ and then a log-normal decline for larger masses, while its overall normalization at a given mass increases with decreasing redshift. We highlight the contribution to the local mass function from isolated stars evolving into BHs and from binary stellar systems ending up in single or binary BHs. We also include the distortion on the mass function induced by binary BH mergers, finding that it has a minor effect at the high-mass end. We estimate a local stellar BH relic mass density of ρ • ≈ 5 × 107 M ⊙ Mpc−3, which exceeds by more than two orders of magnitude that in supermassive BHs; this translates into an energy density parameter Ω• ≈ 4 × 10−4, implying that the total mass in stellar BHs amounts to ≲1% of the local baryonic matter. We show how our mass function for merging BH binaries compares with the recent estimates from gravitational wave observations by LIGO/Virgo, and discuss the possible implications for dynamical formation of BH binaries in dense environments like star clusters. We address the impact of adopting different binary stellar evolution codes (SEVN and COSMIC) on the mass function, and find the main differences to occur at the high-mass end, in connection with the numerical treatment of stellar binary evolution effects. We highlight that our results can provide a firm theoretical basis for a physically motivated light seed distribution at high redshift, to be implemented in semi-analytic and numerical models of BH formation and evolution. Finally, we stress that the present work can constitute a starting point to investigate the origin of heavy seeds and the growth of (super)massive BHs in high-redshift star-forming galaxies, that we will pursue in forthcoming papers.

scholarly journals Magnetogenesis around the first galaxies: the impact of different field seeding processes on galaxy formation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico Garaldi ◽  
Rüdiger Pakmor ◽  
Volker Springel
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Ionization Fronts ◽  
Seed Field ◽  
Biermann Battery ◽  
First Galaxies ◽  
High Redshift Universe ◽  
The Impact

Abstract We study the evolution of magnetic fields generated by charge segregation ahead of ionization fronts during the Epoch of Reionization, and their effects on galaxy formation. We compare this magnetic seeding process with the Biermann battery, injection from supernovae, and an imposed seed field at redshift z ≳ 127. Using a suite of self-consistent cosmological and zoom-in simulations based on the Auriga galaxy-formation model, we determine that all mechanisms produce galactic magnetic fields that equally affect galaxy formation, and are nearly indistinguishable at z ≲ 1.5. The former is compatible with observed values, while the latter is correlated with the gas metallicity below a seed-dependent redshift. Low-density gas and haloes below a seed-dependent mass threshold retain memory of the initial magnetic field. We produce synthetic Faraday rotation measure maps, showing that they have the potential to constrain the seeding process, although current observations are not yet sensitive enough. Our results imply that the ad-hoc assumption of a primordial seed field – widely used in galaxy formation simulations but of uncertain physical origin – can be replaced by physically-motivated mechanisms for magnetogenesis with negligible impact on galactic properties. Additionally, magnetic fields generated ahead of ionization fronts appear very similar but weaker than those produced by the Biermann battery. Hence, in a realistic scenario where both mechanisms are active, the former will be negligible compared to the latter. Finally, our results highlight that the high-redshift Universe is a fruitful testing ground for our understanding of magnetic fields generation.

scholarly journals The XXL Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 642 ◽  
pp. A126 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ricci ◽  
R. Adam ◽  
D. Eckert ◽  
P. Ade ◽  
P. André ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Redshift ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Optical Data ◽  
Local Pressure ◽  
Mass System ◽  
Cluster Galaxy ◽  
X Ray ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
The Impact

High-mass clusters at low redshifts have been intensively studied at various wavelengths. However, while more distant objects at lower masses constitute the bulk population of future surveys, their physical state remain poorly explored to date. In this paper, we present resolved observations of the Sunyaev-Zel’dovich (SZ) effect, obtained with the NIKA2 camera, towards the cluster of galaxies XLSSC 102, a relatively low-mass system (M500 ∼ 2 × 1014 M⊙) at z = 0.97 detected from the XXL survey. We combine NIKA2 SZ data, XMM-Newton X-ray data, and Megacam optical data to explore, respectively, the spatial distribution of the gas electron pressure, the gas density, and the galaxies themselves. We find significant offsets between the X-ray peak, the SZ peak, the brightest cluster galaxy, and the peak of galaxy density. Additionally, the galaxy distribution and the gas present elongated morphologies. This is interpreted as the sign of a recent major merging event, which induced a local boost of the gas pressure towards the north of XLSSC 102 and stripped the gas out of the galaxy group. The NIKA2 data are also combined with XXL data to construct the thermodynamic profiles of XLSSC 102, obtaining relatively tight constraints up to about ∼r500, and revealing properties that are typical of disturbed systems. We also explore the impact of the cluster centre definition and the implication of local pressure substructure on the recovered profiles. Finally, we derive the global properties of XLSSC 102 and compare them to those of high-mass-and-low-redshift systems, finding no strong evidence for non-standard evolution. We also use scaling relations to obtain alternative mass estimates from our profiles. The variation between these different mass estimates reflects the difficulty to accurately measure the mass of low-mass clusters at z ∼ 1, especially with low signal-to-noise ratio data and for a disturbed system. However, it also highlights the strength of resolved SZ observations alone and in combination with survey-like X-ray data. This is promising for the study of high redshift clusters from the combination of eROSITA and high resolution SZ instruments and will complement the new generation of optical surveys from facilities such as LSST and Euclid.

scholarly journals Clues to the nature of dark matter from first galaxies

2019 ◽  
Vol 489 (1) ◽  
pp. 487-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boyan K Stoychev ◽  
Keri L Dixon ◽  
Andrea V Macciò ◽  
Marvin Blank ◽  
Aaron A Dutton
Keyword(s):  
Dark Matter ◽  
Star Formation ◽  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Cold Dark Matter ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Neutral Hydrogen ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Stellar Mass ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT We use 38 high-resolution simulations of galaxy formation between redshift 10 and 5 to study the impact of a 3 keV warm dark matter (WDM) candidate on the high-redshift Universe. We focus our attention on the stellar mass function and the global star formation rate and consider the consequences for reionization, namely the neutral hydrogen fraction evolution and the electron scattering optical depth. We find that three different effects contribute to differentiate warm and cold dark matter (CDM) predictions: WDM suppresses the number of haloes with mass less than few 109 M⊙; at a fixed halo mass, WDM produces fewer stars than CDM, and finally at halo masses below 109 M⊙, WDM has a larger fraction of dark haloes than CDM post-reionization. These three effects combine to produce a lower stellar mass function in WDM for galaxies with stellar masses at and below 107 M⊙. For z > 7, the global star formation density is lower by a factor of two in the WDM scenario, and for a fixed escape fraction, the fraction of neutral hydrogen is higher by 0.3 at z ∼ 6. This latter quantity can be partially reconciled with CDM and observations only by increasing the escape fraction from 23 per cent to 34 per cent. Overall, our study shows that galaxy formation simulations at high redshift are a key tool to differentiate between dark matter candidates given a model for baryonic physics.

scholarly journals Early galaxy formation and its large-scale effects

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S352) ◽  
pp. 43-43
Author(s):  
Pratika Dayal
Keyword(s):  
Dark Matter ◽  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cold Dark Matter ◽  
Scale Effects ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Early Galaxies ◽  
First Galaxies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Early Galaxy

AbstractGalaxy formation in the first billion years mark a time of great upheaval in the history of the Universe: the first galaxies started both the ‘metal age’ as well as the era of cosmic reionization. I will start by reviewing the dust production mechanisms and dust masses for high-redshift galaxies which will be revolutionized in the ALMA era. I will then show how the JWST will be an invaluable experiment to shed light on the impact of reionization feedback on early galaxy formation. As we look forward towards the era of 21cm cosmology, I will highlight the crucial and urgent synergies required between 21cm facilities (such as the SKA) and galaxy experiments (JWST, E-ELT and Subaru to name a few) to understand the physics of the epoch of reionization that remains a crucial frontier in the field of astrophysics and physical cosmology. Time permitting, I will try to give a flavour of how the assembly of early galaxies, accessible with the forthcoming JWST, can provide a powerful testbed for Dark Matter models beyond ‘Cold Dark Matter’.

scholarly journals Galactic chimney sweeping: the effect of ‘gradual’ stellar feedback mechanisms on the evolution of dwarf galaxies

2019 ◽  
Vol 489 (3) ◽  
pp. 4278-4299
Author(s):  
Lilian Garratt-Smithson ◽  
Graham A Wynn ◽  
Chris Power ◽  
C J Nixon
Keyword(s):  
High Redshift ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Stellar Winds ◽  
Feedback Mechanisms ◽  
Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies ◽  
Stellar Feedback ◽  
Hydrodynamical Simulations ◽  
Halo Masses ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Spheroidal Galaxies

ABSTRACT We investigate the impact of time-resolved ‘gradual’ stellar feedback processes in high redshift dwarf spheroidal galaxies. Here ‘gradual’ feedback refers to individual stellar feedback events which deposit energy over a period of time. We conduct high-resolution hydrodynamical simulations of dwarf spheroidal galaxies with halo masses of 107–108 M⊙, based on z = 6 progenitors of the Milky Way’s dwarf spheroidal galaxies. We also include a novel feedback prescription for individual massive stars, which includes stellar winds and an HMXB (high mass X-ray binary) phase, on top of supernovae. We find the mass of gas unbound across a 1 Gyr starburst is uniformly lowered if gradual feedback mechanisms are included across the range of metallicities, halo concentration parameters, and galaxy masses studied here. Furthermore, we find including gradual feedback in the smallest galaxies delays the unbinding of the majority of the gas and facilitates the production of ‘chimneys’ in the dense shell surrounding the feedback generated hot, pressurized ‘superbubble’. These ‘chimneys’ vent hot gas from the galaxy interior, lowering the temperature of the central 10 kpc of the gaseous halo. Additionally, we find radiative cooling has little effect on the energetics of simulations that include a short, violent starburst compared with those that have a longer, less concentrated starburst. Finally, we investigate the relative impact of HMXB feedback and stellar winds on our results, finding the ubiquity of stellar winds throughout each starburst makes them a defining factor in the final state of the interstellar medium.

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