2007MNRAS.376.1317M

In order to constrain the density of intermediate mass black holes (IMBHs) in galaxies, we run smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) simulations of a gas-rich disc dwarf galaxy, where different halo and disc populations of IMBHs are embedded. IMBHs, when passing through dense gas regions, can accrete gas and switch on as X-ray sources. We derive the luminosity distribution of simulated IMBHs, by assuming that they accrete at the Bondi-Hoyle rate. The X-ray distribution of simulated IMBHs has been compared with that of observed sources in the dwarf galaxy Holmberg II, chosen for its richness in gas, its small mass (compared to spiral galaxies) and the accuracy of the available X-ray measurements. Holmberg II also hosts one of the strongest IMBH candidates. From this comparison, we find that the density parameter of disc (halo) IMBHs must be Ω_ø≲ 10^–5Ω_b(Ω_ø ≲ 10^–2Ω_b, where Ω_bis the density parameter of baryons), for a radiative efficiency 10^–3 and an IMBH mass of 10⁴M_☉. These constraints imply that a dwarf galaxy like Holmberg II cannot host more than 1 (1000) disc (halo) 10⁴M_☉IMBHs.