A synthesis model for AGN evolution: supermassive black holes growth and feedback modes

Understand

We present a comprehensive synthesis model for the AGN evolution and the growth of supermassive black holes in the Universe.

• We solve the continuity equation for SMBH mass function using the locally determined one as a boundary condition, and the hard X-ray luminosity function as tracer of the AGN growth rate distribution, supplemented with a luminosity-dependent bolometric correction and an absorbing column distribution.
• Differently from most previous semi-analytic and numerical models, we do not assume any specific distribution of Eddington ratios, rather we determine it empirically by coupling the mass and luminosity functions.
• SMBH show a very broad accretion rate distribution, and we discuss the consequences of this fact for our understanding of observed AGN fractions in galaxies.