The phase structure of cosmic ray driven outflows in stream fed disc galaxies

TL;DR

This study uses magneto-hydrodynamical simulations to explore how stream-fed gas accretion influences star formation and outflows in disc galaxies, highlighting the role of cosmic rays in shaping outflow properties and galaxy evolution.

Contribution

It demonstrates the impact of cosmic rays on outflow strength, temperature, and angular momentum distribution in stream-fed disc galaxy models, advancing understanding of galaxy feedback processes.

Findings

Stream accretion enhances star formation rates.

Cosmic rays produce stronger, cooler outflows that reach further into the halo.

Two distinct outflow phases are identified: warm, high angular momentum and hot, low angular momentum.

Abstract

Feeding with gas in streams is predicted to be an important galaxy growth mechanism. Using an idealised setup, we study the impact of stream feeding (with 10$^7$ M$_{\odot}$ Myr$^{-1}$ rate) on the star formation and outflows of disc galaxies with $\sim$10$^{11}$ M$_{\odot}$ baryonic mass. The magneto-hydrodynamical simulations are carried out with the PIERNIK code and include star formation, feedback from supernova, and cosmic ray advection and diffusion. We find that stream accretion enhances galactic star formation. Lower angular momentum streams result in more compact discs, higher star formation rates and stronger outflows. In agreement with previous studies, models including cosmic rays launch stronger outflows travelling much further into the galactic halo. Cosmic ray supported outflows are also cooler than supernova only driven outflows. With cosmic rays, the star formation is suppressed and the thermal pressure is reduced. We find evidence for two distinct outflow phases. The warm outflows have high angular momentum and stay close to the galactic disc, while the hot outflow phase has low angular momentum and escapes from the centre deep into the halo. Cosmic rays can therefore have a strong impact on galaxy evolution by removing low angular momentum, possibly metal enriched gas from the disc and injecting it into the circumgalactic medium.