What fuels the growth of stars and black holes in galaxies through cosmic time? The physics and chemistry of the interstellar medium in distant galaxies
The study examines how baryonic matter fuels galaxy and black hole growth across cosmic time by investigating the physics and chemistry of interstellar medium (ISM) in distant galaxies. While 12CO traces cold gas, current observations are biased toward luminous sources. The proposed ALMA2040 interferometer is needed to detect fainter tracers like isotopologues and dense gas molecules, allowing for a complete picture of molecular inventories and the evolution of star formation physics.