Supermassive Black Holes, the Early Universe, and Gamma-Ray Bursts

Abstract

Observational evidence reveals that supermassive black holes reside at the center of most galaxies up to the furthest observable redshifts. The tight M- σ relation suggests a close operative feedback between the growth of supermassive black holes and the growth of the galactic bulge. Models describing the formation scenarios of seeding black holes and their growth are reviewed. In each of these models, the prevailing environments in the primordial-galactic disks, including the gas dynamics, cooling processes, and metallic enrichment are explored. It is shown that the galactic disk parameters set constraints on the channel of formation of the seeding black holes and their growth. Primordial black holes from the inflationary era, their formation, possible interaction, and constraints on their observations are discussed. Gamma-ray bursts resulting either from the collapse of massive stars, or from the collision of compact objects are explored. The abundance of these violent events in the early universe suggests a possible connection with galaxy formation.