Origin of the X-Ray Background and AGN Unification: New Perspectives

Abstract

We critically review the basic assumptions of the standard model for the synthesis of the XRB in the light of new data from ultradeep surveys by Chandra and XMM, resolving major parts of it. Important constraints come in particular from the observed z-distributions of faint hard X-ray sources -- showing large excesses at redshifts (z~0.8) much lower than expected by the synthesis models -- and from their X/optical/IR SEDs combined with the IR counts of type-II AGNs. Our analysis, although supporting the general scheme which interprets the XRB as due to absorbed AGNs with broad N_H distributions, requires major revision of the other postulate of the XRB synthesis models: the AGN unification. We argue that the unification scheme based on a simple orientation effect fails at high redshifts, where galaxy activity is induced by strong interactions and mergers among gas-rich systems. This helps explaining the observational evidence that type-I and II AGNs follow different evolutionary patterns, with type-I quasars providing a very biased trace of this activity. Combined deep X-ray and IR surveys consistently find that the universe has experienced a violent phase of galaxy activity around z~1, probably related with the assembly of massive galaxies, involving both SF and obscured AGN fueling. Roughly 10 to 20% of this activity has involved substantial AGN emission, this fraction likely reflecting the AGN/starburst duty cycle during the activation phase.

5 pages, to appear in MNRAS

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