The Dynamics and Evolution of Supermassive Black Holes in Merging Galaxies
Contributors: Loeb, Abraham; Hernquist, Lars; Narayan, Ramesh; Reid, Mark; Natarajan, Priya
Published: 2012
Language: eng
Description: This thesis is a theoretical study of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in merging galaxies. We consider the dynamics that govern inspiralling SMBH pairs and gravitational-wave (GW) recoiling SMBHs, as well as the fueling of active galactic nuclei (AGN) during galaxy mergers. In particular, we focus on the observable signatures that could distinguish dual or recoiling AGN from those in isolated galaxies, and we explore the implications of these events for the coordinated evolution of SMBHs and galaxies.
Notes: Keywords: Active Galactic Nuclei, Black Holes, Galaxy Evolution, Galaxy Mergers, Gravitational Waves.

Thesis Ph.D. Harvard University 2012