%0 Generic %1 DeBuhr2011 %A DeBuhr, Jackson %A Quataert, Eliot %A Ma, Chung-Pei %D 2011 %K agn feedback outflows %T Galaxy-Scale Outflows Driven by Active Galactic Nuclei %U http://arxiv.org/abs/1107.5579 %X We present hydrodynamical simulations of major mergers of galaxies and study the effects of winds produced by active galactic nuclei (AGN) on interstellar gas in the AGN's host galaxy. Motivated by theoretical models and observations of broad absorption line quasars, the wind has an initial velocity ~ 10,000 km/s and an initial momentum (energy) flux of ~ tau_w L/c (~ 0.01 tau_w L), with tau_w ~ 1-10. This outflow sweeps up and shock heats the surrounding interstellar gas, leading to a galaxy-scale outflow with velocities ~ 1000 km/s, peak mass outflow rates comparable to the star formation rate, and a total ejected gas mass ~ 3 x 10^9 M_sun. Large momentum fluxes, tau_w > 3, are required for the AGN-driven galactic outflow to suppress star formation and accretion in the black hole's host galaxy. We argue that this mechanism of AGN feedback can produce the high velocity outflows observed in post-starburst galaxies and the massive molecular and atomic outflows observed in local ultra-luminous infrared galaxies. Moreover, the outflows from local ultra-luminous infrared galaxies are inferred to have tau_w ~ 10, comparable to what we find is required for AGN winds to regulate the growth of black holes and set the M_BH-sigma relation. We conclude by discussing theoretical mechanisms that can lead to AGN wind mass-loading and momentum/energy fluxes large enough to have a significant impact on galaxy formation.

@misc{DeBuhr2011, abstract = { We present hydrodynamical simulations of major mergers of galaxies and study the effects of winds produced by active galactic nuclei (AGN) on interstellar gas in the AGN's host galaxy. Motivated by theoretical models and observations of broad absorption line quasars, the wind has an initial velocity ~ 10,000 km/s and an initial momentum (energy) flux of ~ tau_w L/c (~ 0.01 tau_w L), with tau_w ~ 1-10. This outflow sweeps up and shock heats the surrounding interstellar gas, leading to a galaxy-scale outflow with velocities ~ 1000 km/s, peak mass outflow rates comparable to the star formation rate, and a total ejected gas mass ~ 3 x 10^9 M_sun. Large momentum fluxes, tau_w > 3, are required for the AGN-driven galactic outflow to suppress star formation and accretion in the black hole's host galaxy. We argue that this mechanism of AGN feedback can produce the high velocity outflows observed in post-starburst galaxies and the massive molecular and atomic outflows observed in local ultra-luminous infrared galaxies. Moreover, the outflows from local ultra-luminous infrared galaxies are inferred to have tau_w ~ 10, comparable to what we find is required for AGN winds to regulate the growth of black holes and set the M_BH-sigma relation. We conclude by discussing theoretical mechanisms that can lead to AGN wind mass-loading and momentum/energy fluxes large enough to have a significant impact on galaxy formation. }, added-at = {2011-07-29T04:04:50.000+0200}, author = {DeBuhr, Jackson and Quataert, Eliot and Ma, Chung-Pei}, biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/2994417c16553075d01afe21cf94438f1/miki}, description = {[1107.5579] Galaxy-Scale Outflows Driven by Active Galactic Nuclei}, interhash = {392ed675bd91c1372f889cbfc230a599}, intrahash = {994417c16553075d01afe21cf94438f1}, keywords = {agn feedback outflows}, note = {cite arxiv:1107.5579Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures; submitted MNRAS}, timestamp = {2011-07-29T04:04:51.000+0200}, title = {Galaxy-Scale Outflows Driven by Active Galactic Nuclei}, url = {http://arxiv.org/abs/1107.5579}, year = 2011 }