Topological Signatures of AGN Feedback in the Simba Simulations
Abstract
Active galactic nuclei (AGN) feedback can alter the abundance and spatial distribution of galaxies within large-scale structure. We apply topological data analysis (TDA) to Simba hydrodynamical simulations with varying AGN feedback at z=0 to determine which galaxy populations, environments, and spatial scales are most affected. The galaxy two-point correlation function is most sensitive to feedback at r<1 h−1 Mpc. We then use Betti curves, persistence diagrams, and the 2-Wasserstein distance to quantify feedback-dependent changes in topology. Persistence diagrams show clearer differences than Betti curves, particularly for satellite galaxies. For satellites, loop-like features show significant differences at α=0.1--0.4 h−1 Mpc for all feedback channels, together with a weaker cumulative difference at α=1--3 h−1 Mpc. The differences are strongest for satellites in quenched halos with Mh≳1012 M⊙. Optimal matching shows that they are driven mainly by shifts in the birth and death scales of loop-like features rather than by their appearance or disappearance. These results indicate that persistent homology can provide complementary constraints on AGN feedback and environmental quenching in galaxy surveys.
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BibTeX
@misc{kano2026topological,
title = {{Topological Signatures of AGN Feedback in the Simba Simulations}},
author = {Ryusei R. Kano and Romeel Davé and Tsutomu T. Takeuchi and Hayato Shimabukuro},
howpublished = {arXiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.48550/arxiv.2609.19993},
eprint = {2609.19993},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.19993},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Topological Signatures of AGN Feedback in the Simba Simulations
AU - Ryusei R. Kano
AU - Romeel Davé
AU - Tsutomu T. Takeuchi
AU - Hayato Shimabukuro
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/17
PB - arXiv
DO - 10.48550/arxiv.2609.19993
UR - https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.19993
AB - Active galactic nuclei (AGN) feedback can alter the abundance and spatial distribution of galaxies within large-scale structure. We apply topological data analysis (TDA) to Simba hydrodynamical simulations with varying AGN feedback at z=0 to determine which galaxy populations, environments, and spatial scales are most affected. The galaxy two-point correlation function is most sensitive to feedback at r<1 h^−1 Mpc. We then use Betti curves, persistence diagrams, and the 2-Wasserstein distance to quantify feedback-dependent changes in topology. Persistence diagrams show clearer differences than Betti curves, particularly for satellite galaxies. For satellites, loop-like features show significant differences at α=0.1--0.4 h^−1 Mpc for all feedback channels, together with a weaker cumulative difference at α=1--3 h^−1 Mpc. The differences are strongest for satellites in quenched halos with M_h≳10^12 M_⊙. Optimal matching shows that they are driven mainly by shifts in the birth and death scales of loop-like features rather than by their appearance or disappearance. These results indicate that persistent homology can provide complementary constraints on AGN feedback and environmental quenching in galaxy surveys.
ER -