The Population of High Redshift AGNs in the Chandra COSMOS survey

TL;DR

This study measures the number and space density of high-redshift X-ray AGNs in the Chandra COSMOS survey, revealing an exponential decline in high-luminosity AGNs across redshifts 3 to 5.3, and compares findings with optical data and models.

Contribution

It provides new high-redshift AGN number counts and space density measurements extending to fainter luminosities and higher redshifts than previous studies.

Findings

High-luminosity AGN space density declines exponentially with redshift.

Sample includes 81 X-ray sources with redshifts 3<z<5.3.

Comparison with optical luminosity functions and BH formation models.

Abstract

We present the high redshift (3<z<5.3) 0.5-2 keV number counts and the 2-10 keV (rest frame) space density of X-ray selected AGNs detected in the Chandra COSMOS survey. The sample comprises 81 X-ray detected sources with available spectroscopic (31) and photometric (50) redshifts plus 20 sources with a formal z_phot<3 but with a broad photometric redshift probability distribution, such that z_phot+1sigma>3. 81 sources are selected in the 0.5-2 keV band, 14 are selected in the 2-10 keV and 6 in the 0.5-10 keV bands. We sample the high luminosity (log L_(2-10 keV)>44.15 erg/s) space density up to z~5 and a fainter luminosity range (43.5<log L(2-10 keV)<44.15 erg/s) than previous studies, up to z=3.5. We weighted the contribution to the number counts and the space density of the sources with photometric redshift by using their probability of being at z>3. We find that the space density of high-luminosity AGNs declines exponentially at all the redshifts, confirming the trend observed for optically selected quasars. At lower luminosity, the measured space density is not conclusive, and a larger sample of faint sources is needed. Comparisons with optical luminosity functions and BH formation models are presented together with prospects for future surveys.