Constraining the AGN tori at cosmic noon using high-resolution JWST imaging and multi-scale SED fitting
Abstract: There is evidence for significant evolution in the gaseous and dust properties of galaxies since the era of cosmic noon (1≲z≲2.5). The well known co-evolution of supermassive black holes with their host galaxies suggests a constant connection between the nuclear-scale and large-scale regions of galaxies. A fundamental component of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) is the "torus", a dense, dusty structure that acts as the interface between the accretion disc and the ISM of the host galaxy. Its transitional nature makes it a prime subject to search for evolution since cosmic noon. We use high-resolution near- and mid-IR imaging from the JWST CEERS program to disentangle the emission from the torus in unprecedented detail for 88 X-ray selected AGN at z∼2. We employ a novel SED fitting technique that combines archival low-resolution multi-band photometry at UV to FIR wavelengths with the new high-resolution JWST photometry to constrain essential parameters, such as AGN accretion disc luminosity and torus opening angle. We demonstrate that this SED fitting approach leads to better AGN characterisation and tighter constraints on AGN parameters. Despite the well-known evolution of the ISM and structural properties of AGN hosts to these redshifts, the CF distribution of our sample does not show any strong statistical difference with that found in local AGN of equivalent luminosity, or with those at intermediate redshifts.
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