Dusty torus formation by anisotropic radiative pressure feedback of active galactic nuclei

Abstract

The feedback by active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is significant for the formation and evolution of galaxies. It has been realized that the radiative pressure feedback could be an efficient mechanism due to the existence of dust. In this Letter, we discuss the effect of anisotropic radiative pressure, which is inevitable if the UV/optical emission arises from an accretion disk. The distribution of dusty gas should also be anisotropic due to the influence of the anisotropic disk radiation, i.e., the dust in the face-on direction of an accretion disk can be blown out relatively more easily, whereas the dust can survive in the edge-on direction. This result can explain the presence of some obscured AGNs with high Eddington ratios and can also quantitatively reproduce the observed decreasing fraction of type 2 AGNs with increasing luminosity. A sequence of AGN formation and evolution is also proposed, within the context of the formation, evolution, and exhaustion of the dusty torus. Our model predicts the existence of bright AGNs with dusty tori, but without broad-line regions. Finally, we discuss the implications of the anisotropic radiation for the calculations of luminosity functions and radiation efficiencies of AGNs. © 2011. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved. Printedin the U.S.A.