Constraining AGN feedback model with SZ profile

TL;DR

This study uses SZ profiles from galaxy groups to constrain AGN feedback models, finding that the AGN 8.0 model best matches observations and that the universal pressure profile aligns with data when including halo clustering effects.

Contribution

It provides empirical constraints on AGN feedback models using SZ profiles from a large sample of galaxy groups, comparing observations with hydrodynamical simulations.

Findings

The average tSZ profile was detected at ~17 sigma significance.

The AGN 8.0 feedback model best matches the observed data.

Universal pressure profile predictions are consistent when including halo clustering.

Abstract

Relativistic jets from AGN have a wide range of impacts on galaxy groups and clusters and are key for understanding their formation and physical properties. However, this non-gravitational process is not well understood. Galaxy groups with shallow gravitational potentials are ideal laboratories to study and constrain the AGN feedback model. We studied hot gas in ~66,000 SDSS LRG halos with an average halo mass of 3 x 10^13 Msun using the Planck tSZ map. We have detected their average tSZ radial profile at ~17 sigma and compared it with the cosmo-OWLS cosmological hydrodynamical simulations with different AGN feedback models. The best agreement has been obtained for the AGN 8.0 model in the simulations. We have also compared our measured tSZ profile with the prediction from the universal pressure profile assuming the self-similar relation and found them consistent if the model accounts for the clustering of neighboring haloes via a two-halo term.