If quasars form from primordial black holes

TL;DR

This paper investigates the hypothesis that supermassive black holes and quasars originate from primordial black holes formed in the early universe, providing predictions consistent with observed luminosity and density evolution.

Contribution

It introduces a novel model linking primordial black holes to quasar formation, aligning theoretical predictions with observational data.

Findings

Predicted quasar luminosity matches observations

Model reproduces observed density evolution

Relative number densities reflect quasar and radio galaxy lifetimes

Abstract

We explore the consequences of a novel but increasingly well-supported hypothesis that supermassive black holes may have formed from primordial black holes form ed prior to, and rapidly growing in, the radiation-dominated universe. We show that this hypothesis can predict the luminosity of quasars and their luminosity distribution. With reasonable values of the parameters introduced, these predictions are borne out by observations. The model predicts density evolution in accordance with observations. If the same galaxy interaction rate creates quasars and radio galaxies, whose primordial black hole nuclei seem somewhat less massive, their relative number densities reflect relative lifetimes in these states.