Formation of dense filaments induced by runaway supermassive black holes

TL;DR

This paper proposes that runaway supermassive black holes passing through the circumgalactic medium can induce converging flows, leading to the formation of dense, star-forming filaments observed in distant galaxies.

Contribution

It introduces an analytical and simulation-supported model explaining filament formation via RSMBH perturbations, a novel mechanism for observed linear gas structures in galaxies.

Findings

RSMBH passage triggers converging flows in the CGM.

Filament formation depends on CGM temperature and density.

Hydrodynamical simulations support the analytical model.

Abstract

A narrow linear object extending $\sim 60 \,{\rm kpc}$ from the centre of a galaxy at redshift $z \sim 1$ has recently been discovered and interpreted as shocked gas filament forming stars. The host galaxy presents an irregular morphology, implying recent merger events. Supposing that each of the progenitor galaxies has a central supermassive black hole (SMBH) and the SMBHs are accumulated at the centre of the merger remnant, a fraction of them can be ejected from the galaxy with a high velocity due to interactions between SMBHs. When such a runaway SMBH (RSMBH) passes through the circumgalactic medium (CGM), converging flows are induced along the RSMBH path, and star formation could eventually be ignited. We show that the CGM temperature prior to the RSMBH perturbation should be below the peak temperature in the cooling function to trigger filament formation. While the gas is temporarily heated due to compression, the cooling efficiency increases, and gas accumulation becomes allowed along the path. When the CGM density is sufficiently high, the gas can cool down and develop a dense filament by $z = 1$. The mass and velocity of the RSMBH determine the scale of filament formation. Hydrodynamical simulations validate the analytical expectations. Therefore, we conclude that the perturbation by RSMBHs is a viable channel to form the observed linear object. Using the analytic model validated by simulations, we show that the CGM around the linear object to be warm ($T < 2 \times 10^5 \, K$) and dense ($n > 2 \times 10^{-5} (T/2 \times 10^5 \, K)^{-1} \, {\rm cm^{-3}}$).