Assessing the dark matter content of two quasar host galaxies at z~6 through gas kinematics

TL;DR

This study uses ALMA observations to analyze gas kinematics in two quasar host galaxies at z~6, revealing significant dark matter fractions and insights into early galaxy and black hole co-evolution.

Contribution

First detailed gas kinematic analysis of z~6 quasar hosts linking dark matter content to early galaxy evolution.

Findings

Dark matter fractions within R_e are around 0.6, larger than lower redshift estimates.

Dark matter halo masses are approximately 10^{12.5}-10^{12.8} solar masses.

SMBH masses are higher than local relations but align better when considering halo mass.

Abstract

We conduct a study of the gas kinematics of two quasar host galaxies at $z\gtrsim6$ traced by the [CII] emission line using ALMA. By combining deep observations at both low and high resolution, we recover the diffuse emission, resolve its structure, and measure the rotation curves from the inner region of the galaxy to its outskirts using DysmalPy and 3DBarolo. Assuming that both galaxies exhibit disk rotation driven by the gravitational potential of the galaxy, we find that the best-fit disk models have a $V_{\rm rot}/\sigma \approx 2$ and inferred circular velocities out to $\sim$6-8 kpc scales, well beyond the likely stellar distribution. We then determine the mass profiles of each component (stars, gas, dark matter) with priors on the baryon and dark matter properties. We find relatively large dark matter fractions within their effective radii ($f_{\rm DM}(R<R_e)$ = $0.61_{-0.08}^{+0.08}$ and $0.53_{-0.23}^{+0.21}$, respectively), which are significantly larger than those extrapolated from lower redshift studies and remain robust under different input parameters verified by Monte-Carlo simulations. The large $f_{\rm DM}(R<R_e)$ corresponds to halo masses of $\sim 10^{12.5}-10^{12.8}\, M_\odot$, thus representative of the most massive halos at these redshifts. Notably, while the masses of these SMBHs are approximately 1 dex higher than the low-redshift relationship with stellar mass, the closer alignment of SMBH and halo masses with a local relationship may indicate that the early formation of these SMBHs is linked to their dark matter halos, providing insights into the co-evolution of galaxies and black holes in the early universe.