The form and evolution of the X-ray luminosity function (XLF) of high z AGN, andhence the importance of black hole accretion in the early universe, is poorlyconstrained. A combination of deep, multi-colour optical imaging and X-ray datahas proved highly efficient in compiling high z AGN samples with well definedselection and minimal incompleteness, and shows that the faint-end slope of theXLF at z=3 is significantly steeper than previously reported. Our current surveystill has limited statistics around and above L*, however. The first datarelease of the CFHTLS Deep Fields provides an opportunity to rectify this.Relatively modest investment of XMM time (virgul200ks) will provide almost completeX-ray coverage over 4 square deg, enabling us to accurately determine the XLF at z=3-4.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2007-05-07T11:18:19Z/2007-11-05T08:50:21Z
Version
17.56_20190403_1200
Mission Description
The European Space Agencys (ESA) X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) was launched by an Ariane 504 on December 10th 1999. XMM-Newton is ESAs second cornerstone of the Horizon 2000 Science Programme. It carries 3 high throughput X-ray telescopes with an unprecedented effective area, and an optical monitor, the first flown on a X-ray observatory. The large collecting area and ability to make long uninterrupted exposures provide highly sensitive observations. Since Earths atmosphere blocks out all X-rays, only a telescope in space can detect and study celestial X-ray sources. The XMM-Newton mission is helping scientists to solve a number of cosmic mysteries, ranging from the enigmatic black holes to the origins of the Universe itself. Observing time on XMM-Newton is being made available to the scientific community, applying for observational periods on a competitive basis.
European Space Agency, Prof Kirpal Nandra, 2008, 'The evolution of powerful AGN at high redshift', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-yo84ldd
