Towards a high accuracy measurement of the local black hole occupation fraction in low mass galaxies

TL;DR

This paper proposes a method to measure the black hole occupation fraction in low mass galaxies with high precision using wide-field, high-resolution X-ray imaging, providing crucial data for understanding black hole formation and galaxy evolution.

Contribution

It demonstrates the feasibility of a few percent level measurement of the local black hole occupation fraction in low mass galaxies using advanced X-ray observations.

Findings

Measurement feasibility at a few percent level.

Complementarity with high-redshift X-ray studies.

Implications for black hole and galaxy formation models.

Abstract

This document illustrates the feasibility of a few per cent level measurement of the local black hole occupation fraction in low mass galaxies through wide-field, high angular resolution X-ray imaging observations of local volume galaxies. The occupation fraction, particularly at the low end of the galaxy luminosity function, is a key benchmark for any model which aims to reproduce the formation and growth of super-massive black holes and their host galaxies. Our proposed measurement will complement orthogonal efforts that are planned in X-rays at high red-shifts, as well as in the local Universe with ground-based facilities.