High-Redshift AGNs and the Next Decade of Chandra and XMM-Newton

Abstract

We briefly review how X-ray observations of high-redshift active galactic nuclei (AGNs) at z = 4-7 have played a critical role in understanding their basic demographics as well as their physical processes; e.g., absorption by nuclear material and winds, accretion rates, and jet emission. We point out some key remaining areas of uncertainty, highlighting where further Chandra and XMM-Newton observations/analyses, combined with new multiwavelength survey data, can advance understanding over the next decade.

Proceedings paper for "XMM-Newton: The Next Decade" (held in 2016 May); Astronomische Nachrichten, in press (second version has small improvements, e.g., in response to referee feedback)