A Physical Model for the Quasar Luminosity Function Evolution between Cosmic Dawn and High Noon

TL;DR

This paper introduces a semi-empirical model for quasar luminosity function evolution from cosmic dawn to high noon, calibrated with observations at redshifts 4 and 5, and predicts future survey outcomes.

Contribution

It presents a novel, minimal-parameter model for QLF evolution that links quasar activity to halo properties and provides predictions for high-redshift quasars.

Findings

Model accurately reproduces observed QLFs at z≥4.

Bright end evolution driven by stochasticity in luminosity-halo relation.

Faint end shape determined by halo mass function evolution.

Abstract

Modeling the evolution of the number density distribution of quasars through the Quasar Luminosity Function (QLF) is critical to improve our understanding of the connection between black holes, galaxies and their halos. Here we present a novel semi-empirical model for the evolution of the QLF that is fully defined after the specification of a free parameter, the internal duty cycle, $\varepsilon_{DC}$ along with minimal other assumptions. All remaining model parameters are fixed upon calibration against the QLF at two redshifts, $z=4$ and $z=5$. Our modeling shows that the evolution at the bright end results from the stochasticity in the median quasar luminosity versus halo mass relation, while the faint end shape is determined by the evolution of the Halo Mass Function (HMF) with redshift. Additionally, our model suggests the overall quasar density is determined by the evolution of the HMF, irrespective of the value of $\varepsilon_{DC}$. The $z\ge4$ QLFs from our model are in excellent agreement with current observations for all $\varepsilon_{DC}$, with model predictions suggesting that observations at $z\gtrsim7.5$ are needed to discriminate between different $\varepsilon_{DC}$. We further extend the model at $z\le4$, successfully describing the QLF between $1\le z\le4$, albeit with additional assumptions on $\Sigma$ and $\varepsilon_{DC}$. We use the existing measurements of quasar duty cycle from clustering to constrain $\varepsilon_{DC}$, finding $\varepsilon_{DC}\sim0.01$ or $\varepsilon_{DC}\gtrsim0.1$ dependent on observational datasets used for reference. Finally, we present forecasts for future wide-area surveys with promising expectations for the Nancy Grace Roman Telescope to discover $N\gtrsim10$, bright, $m_{UV}<26.5$ quasars at $z\sim8$.