Predicting star formation and metal enrichment in quasars for high-redshift ALMA observations

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Ralf Klessen, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2009 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 126893565

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) will lead to a quantum leap in observations, as sensitivity, angular and spectral resolution will all increase by two orders of magnitude compared to previous telescopes. Recent studies by Marco Spaans indicate that observations of miniquasar host galaxies with black hole masses larger than 106Mʘ are feasible at redshift z ~ 10 via redshifted lines of CO and H2 as well as continuum dust emission. In this proposal, we want to make further predictions that are relevant for future observations of ALMA. In particular, we want to address star formation and metal-enrichment in high-redshift quasars and translate it into observables for CO and dust emission. For this purpose, we suggest an approach based on detailed three dimensional numerical simulations taking into account feedback from X-rays, jets and outflows, which was suggested to trigger star formation. As a by-product, we will create a module for the simulation code to handle X-ray chemistry in metal-enriched systems that will be available for the public. We further will employ semi-analytic models that address the cosmic evolution of the miniquasar population, based on current observations of quasar metallicities and constraints from the observed X-ray background.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1177: Witnesses of Cosmic History: Formation and Evolution of Black Holes, Galaxies and Their Environments
• International Connection: Netherlands
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Robi Stefan Banerjee; Professor Dr. Simon Glover, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Marco Spaans