Deep X-ray spectroscopy of obscured AGN in the Chandra Deep Field South
Abstract
According to the recent models for the joint evolution of Super Massive Black Holes (SMBH) and their Host Galaxies, heavy obscuration represents an important phase and is expected to play a key role in the feedback mechanisms self regulating the SMBH growth. The smoking gun signature of heavy absorption is the presence of a heavily absorbed or reflected X-ray spectrum plus a strong iron line at 6-7 keV. X-ray spectroscopy thus represents an extremely efficient method to uncover the most obscured AGN at cosmological distances. We will present the results of a systematic analysis of a flux limited sample of X-ray selected AGN in the deep (3 Ms) XMM observations in the Chandra Deep Field South (CDFS). We will focus on the absorption distribution of the sources responsible for the bulk of the X-ray background, with particular emphasis on the fraction of Compton thick AGN. We will highlight the power of deep spectroscopy to obtain redshift estimates more accurate and reliable than available photo-z. Synergies with the ultra deep (7 Ms) Chandra observations in the same field, along with the perspectives for future observations with current (XMM & Chandra) and future (i.e. ATHENA) facilities will be also presented.
- Publication:
-
The X-ray Universe 2017
- Pub Date:
- October 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017xru..conf...58C