Blandford-Znajek jets in galaxy formation simulations: exploring the diversity of outflows produced by spin-driven AGN jets

Kavli Affiliate: Debora Sijacki

| First 5 Authors: Rosie Y. Talbot, Debora Sijacki, Martin A. Bourne, ,

| Summary:

Recent observations of Seyfert galaxies indicate that low power, misaligned
jets can undergo significant interaction with the gas in the galactic disc and
may be able to drive large-scale, multiphase outflows. We apply our novel
sub-grid model for Blandford-Znajek jets to simulations of the central regions
of Seyferts, in which a black hole is embedded in a dense, circumnuclear disc
(CND) and surrounded by a dilute circumgalactic medium (CGM). We find that the
variability of the accretion flow is highly sensitive both to the jet power and
to the CND thermodynamics and, ultimately, is determined by the complex
interplay between jet-driven outflows and backflows. Even at moderate Eddington
ratios, AGN jets are able to significantly alter the thermodynamics and
kinematics of CNDs and entrain up to 10% of their mass in the outflow. Mass
outflow rates and kinetic powers of the warm outflowing component are in
agreement with recent observations for black holes with similar bolometric
luminosities, with outflow velocities that are able to reach 500 km/s.
Depending on their power and direction, jets are able to drive a wide variety
of large-scale outflows, ranging from light, hot and collimated structures to
highly mass-loaded, multiphase, bipolar winds. This diversity of jet-driven
outflows highlights the importance of applying physically motivated models of
AGN feedback to realistic galaxy formation contexts. Such simulations will play
a crucial role in accurately interpreting the wealth of data that next
generation facilities such as JWST, SKA and Athena will provide.

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