"The Impact of AGN Radiative Feedback on the Oiii Outflow Activity and Obscuration in X-Ray AGN"

Abstract:

Powerful outflows from active galactic nuclei (AGN) are a direct manifestation of black hole feedback in galaxies, yet the processes that drive these outflows are not fully understood. In this study, we analyse nearly 3,000 X-ray AGN identified by eROSITA with high-quality SDSS optical spectra out to z~0.8. By modelling both the X-ray and optical spectra, we quantify AGN obscuration, measure the Eddington ratio (lambda_Edd), and characterise large-scale outflow kinematics using the [O III] emission line. We find that roughly 40% of AGN in our sample host [O III] outflows with velocities exceeding 600 km/s, with the incidence of outflows strongly increasing with AGN luminosity. Notably, AGN accreting above log lambda_Edd >-1.7 are found to be four times less obscured and to launch twice as many outflows compared to lower-accreting systems. These results suggest that AGN radiative feedback efficiently expels circumnuclear material, decreasing AGN obscuration and driving powerful outflows that can reach the host galaxy. I will discuss the implications of these findings for our understanding of how black holes regulate their circumnuclear environment and that of their host galaxies.