Magnetic fields catalyze massive black hole formation and growth

Large-scale magnetic fields in the nuclear regions of protogalaxies can trigger the formation and early growth of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) by direct collapse and boosted accretion. Turbulence associated with gravitational infall and star formation can drive the rms field strength toward equipartition with the mean gas kinetic energy; this field has a generic tendency to self-organize into large, coherent structures. If the poloidal component of the field (relative to the rotational axis of a star-forming disc) becomes organized on scales $\lesssim r$ and attains an energy of order a few percent of the turbulent energy in the disc, then dynamo effects are expected to generate magnetic torques capable of boosting the inflow speed and thickening the disk. The accretion flow can transport matter toward the center of mass at a rate adequate to create and grow a massive direct-collapse black hole (DCBH) seed and fuel the subsequent AGN at a high rate, without becoming gravitationally unstable. Fragmentation and star formation are thus suppressed and do not necessarily deplete the mass supply for the accretion flow, in contrast to prevailing models for growing and fueling SMBHs through disc accretion.