We conduct a study of the gas kinematics of two quasar host galaxies at z ≳ 6 traced by the [C ii] emission line using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. 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 Vrot/σ ≈ 2 and inferred circular velocities out to ∼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 (fDM(R < Re) = 0.61 − 0.08 + 0.08 and 0.53 − 0.23 + 0.20 , 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 fDM(R < Re) corresponds to halo masses of ∼1012.5−1012.8 M⊙, thus representative of the most massive halos at these redshifts. Notably, while the masses of these supermassive black holes (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 coevolution of galaxies and black holes in the early Universe.

Assessing the Dark Matter Content of Two Quasar Host Galaxies at z ∼ 6 through Gas Kinematics

Carniani S.;
2025

Abstract

We conduct a study of the gas kinematics of two quasar host galaxies at z ≳ 6 traced by the [C ii] emission line using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. 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 Vrot/σ ≈ 2 and inferred circular velocities out to ∼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 (fDM(R < Re) = 0.61 − 0.08 + 0.08 and 0.53 − 0.23 + 0.20 , 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 fDM(R < Re) corresponds to halo masses of ∼1012.5−1012.8 M⊙, thus representative of the most massive halos at these redshifts. Notably, while the masses of these supermassive black holes (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 coevolution of galaxies and black holes in the early Universe.
2025
Settore FIS/05 - Astronomia e Astrofisica
Settore PHYS-05/A - Astrofisica, cosmologia e scienza dello spazio
Star-forming galaxies; supermassive black-holes; high-z exploration; active galactic nuclei; flat rotation curves; sins/zc-sinf survey; edge-califa survey; c ii survey; high-redshift; molecular gas
   Finding the most distant galaxies with NIRSpec guaranteed time on the James Webb Space Telescope
   FirstGalaxies
   European Commission
   Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
   789056

   Uncovering the inner workings of galaxies at cosmic noon
   GALPHYS
   European Commission
   Horizon Europe Framework Programme
   101055023

   Star formation quenching and feedback in galaxies throughout the cosmic epochs
   QUENCH
   European Commission
   Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
   695671

   Winds in galaxies.
   WINGS
   European Commission
   Grant Agreement n. 101040227
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11384/156663
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