Archaeology of Black Holes: An Integrative Review on Supermassive Rotation and the Structural Evolution of the Early Universe

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15272453

Authors

  • Carlos André Xavier dos Santos Universidade Federal do Pará

Keywords:

Buracos Negros Supermassivos, Universo Primitivo, Spin, Evolução Galáctica, Acreção, Cosmologia

Abstract

This study presents an integrative review on the rotation of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) and their role in the structural evolution of the early universe, covering the literature from 2010 to 2025. The investigation maps the most robust evidence regarding supermassive rotation, critically evaluates the measurement methods (such as X-ray spectroscopy), and analyzes their repercussions at the micro (BH dynamics), meso (galactic coevolution), and macro (formation of large cosmic structures) levels. Results highlight the strong link between SMBH spin and their growth modes (continuous accretion vs. mergers), with observations (SDSS, X-rays) revealing populations of high-spinning SMBHs. The spin distribution emerges as a crucial element for understanding the coevolution of galaxies and black holes and the initial conditions of the universe. The study contributes to consolidating "black hole archaeology" as an emerging field, despite methodological and observational limitations, pointing to the potential of future technologies (gravitational waves, EHT). It is concluded that SMBH rotation provides fundamental clues about the cosmological order and may lead to the revision of prevailing models.

References

Beckmann, V., Courvoisier, T. J.-L., & Türler, M. (2023). Accretion disc dynamics in supermassive black holes. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 665, A101.,

Berti, E., & Volonteri, M. (2021). Supermassive black hole spin evolution. Nature Astronomy, 5(5), 541–547. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-021-01303-5,

Dubois, Y., Volonteri, M., & Silk, J. (2014). Black hole evolution: from galaxies to cosmology. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 440(2), 2333–2347.,

Dotti, M., Colpi, M., Pallini, S., Perego, A., & Volonteri, M. (2013). On the orientation of the spin of supermassive black holes in active galactic nuclei. The Astrophysical Journal, 762(1), 68.,

Fries, L., Zhang, J., Silva, E., & SDSS Collaboration. (2025). Black Hole Archaeology: Rotation Patterns Across 7 Billion Years. Sloan Digital Sky Survey White Paper Series.,

Kormendy, J., & Ho, L. C. (2013). Coevolution (Or Not) of Supermassive Black Holes and Host Galaxies. Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics, 51, 511–653. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-astro-082708-101811,

Reynolds, C. S. (2013). Measuring Black Hole Spin using X-ray Reflection Spectroscopy. Classical and Quantum Gravity, 30(24), 244004. https://doi.org/10.1088/0264-9381/30/24/244004,

Reynolds, C. S. (2021). Observational Constraints on Black Hole Spin. Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics, 59, 117–154. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-astro-112420-031055,

Trump, J. R., Sun, M., Li, J., & Haggard, D. (2024). Spin Measurements in Accretion Disks and Implications for Early Black Hole Growth. The Astrophysical Journal, 899(2), 101.

Published

2025-04-23

How to Cite

dos Santos, C. A. X. (2025). Archaeology of Black Holes: An Integrative Review on Supermassive Rotation and the Structural Evolution of the Early Universe: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15272453. Journal of Convergent Scientific Inquiry, 1(1), 02–08. Retrieved from https://jcsi.ufrdj.com/index.php/jcsi/article/view/5

Issue

Section

Revisão Narrativa ou Integrativa