The Evolution of Super-massive Black Holes from Broadband Radio Surveys

Wed 29 May, 2019 @14:15 PM, level 7, David Caro Building
Dr Nick Seymour, Curtin University

Email:  nick.seymour[at]curtin.edu.au

Abstract

Radio surveys are unique probes of accreting super-massive black holes. Curiously, powerful radio emission is associated with both high and low accretion rates. Broadband radio surveys covering many decades of frequency allow us to select specific radio-loud sources as well as to characterise their jet power. I will present work at both low and high redshift studying the evolution of super-massive black holes selected from radio surveys. From deep multi-wavelength observations of the GAMA 23 survey field, I will present a study of a giant radio galaxy associated with a cluster at z~0.2. Modelling of the radio emission and the high current accretion rate suggests that this source may have had a recent change in its accretion state. I shall also present work using broad-band radio surveys and unique follow-up to identify some of the earliest super-massive black holes in the Universe. The ultimate aim of this project is to study the impact of radio-loud sources within the Epoch of Reionisation.