The build-up of pseudobulges in a hierarchical universe

Abstract

We study the cosmological build-up of pseudobulges using the LGalaxies semi-analytical model for galaxy formation with a new approach for following separately the assembly of classical bulges and pseudobulges. Classical bulges are assumed to be the result of violent processes (i.e., mergers and starbursts), while the formation of pseudobulges is connected to the secular growth of disks. We apply the model to both the Millennium and the Millennium II simulations, in order to study our results across a wide range of stellar masses ($10^{7} - 10^{11.5} M_{\odot}$). We find that $z=0$ pseudobulges mainly reside in galaxies of $ \rm M_{stellar} \sim 10^{10} - 10^{10.5} M_{\odot}$ ($\rm M_{halo} \sim 10^{11.5}-10^{12} M_{\odot}$) and we recover structural properties of these objects (e.g., sizes and bulge-to-total ratios) that are in good agreement with observational results. Tracing their formation history, we find that pseudobulges assembled in galaxies with a very quiet merger history, as opposed to the host galaxies of classical bulges. Regarding the bulge structure, we find that $\sim$ 30\% of the galaxies with a predominant pseudobulge feature a composite structure, hosting both a pseudo and a classical bulge component. The classical component typically constitutes $\sim$10\% of the total bulge galaxy mass. When looking at the properties of the host galaxies, we find that $z = 0$ pseudobulges are hosted by main sequence galaxies, characterized by a stellar population which is generally younger compared to the one of the hosts of classical bulges.