The Hot and Energetic Universe: The formation and growth of the earliest supermassive black holes

摘要: A crucial challenge in astrophysics over the coming decades will be to understand origins of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) that lie at centres most, if not all, galaxies. The processes responsible for initial formation these SMBHs and their early growth via accretion - when they are seen as Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) remain unknown. To address this challenge, we must identify low luminosity obscured z>6 AGNs, which represent bulk SMBH growth. Sensitive X-ray observations a unique signpost activity, uncontaminated by star processes, prevent reliable AGN identification other wavelengths (e.g. optical, infrared). Athena+ Wide Field Imager enable surveys carried out two orders magnitude faster than with Chandra or XMM-Newton, opening new discovery space identifying 400 AGN, including sources. also play fundamental role enhance scientific return future multiwavelength facilities probe physical conditions within host galaxies SMBHs, is vital understanding how form, what fuels subsequent growth, assess impact on Universe. Follow-up samples Integral Unit could reveal presence highly thanks detection strong iron lines. Thus, first quantitative measurements extent distribution