The properties of supermassive black holes and their host galaxies for type 1 and 2 active galactic nuclei in the eFEDS and COSMOS fields

Abstract

In this study, our primary objective is to compare the properties of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) and their host galaxies between type 1 and type 2 active galactic nuclei (AGNs). In our analysis, we use X-ray detected sources in two fields, namely the eFEDS and the COSMOS-Legacy. To classify the X-ray sources, we performed a spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting analysis, using the CIGALE code. The robustness of our analysis was paramount so, to ensure this, we imposed stringent selection criteria. Thus, only sources with extensive photometric data across the optical, near- and mid-infrared part of the spectrum and reliable host galaxy properties and classifications were included. The final sample consists of 3312 AGNs, of which 3049 are classified as type 1 and 263 as type 2. The sources span a redshift range of 0.5 < z < 3.5 and encompass a wide range of X-ray luminosities, falling within 42 < log,[LX,2−10 keV(erg s−1)] < 46. Our results show that type 2 AGNs exhibit a tendency to inhabit more massive galaxies, by 0.2 − 0.3 dex (on a logarithmic scale), compared to type 1 sources. Type 2 AGNs also display, on average, lower specific black hole accretion rates, a proxy of the Eddington ratio, compared to type 1 AGNs. These differences persist across all redshifts and LX considered within our dataset. Moreover, our analysis uncovers that type 2 sources tend to have lower star formation rates compared to type 1 AGNs at z < 1. This picture reverses at z > 2 and log,[LX,2−10 keV(erg s−1)] > 44. Similar patterns emerge when we categorize AGNs based on their X-ray obscuration levels (NH). However, in this case, the observed differences are pronounced only for low-to-intermediate LX AGNs and are also sensitive to the NH threshold applied for the AGN classification. These comprehensive findings enhance our understanding of the intricate relationships governing AGN types and their host galaxy properties across diverse cosmic epochs and luminosity regimes.