Irradiation of an accretion disc by a jet: general properties and implications for spin measurements of black holes

Dauser T, Garcia J, Wilms J, Böck M, Brenneman LW, Falanga M, Fukumura K, Reynolds CS (2013)

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2013

Journal

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Oxford University Press

Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PRESS

Book Volume: 430

Pages Range: 1694-1708

Journal Issue: 3

DOI: 10.1093/mnras/sts710

Abstract

X-ray irradiation of the accretion disc leads to strong reflection features, which are then broadened and distorted by relativistic effects. We present a detailed, general relativistic approach to model this irradiation for different geometries of the primary X-ray source. These geometries include the standard point source on the rotational axis as well as more jet-like sources, which are radially elongated and accelerating. Incorporating this code in the RELLINE model for relativistic line emission, the line shape for any configuration can be predicted. We study how different irradiation geometries affect the determination of the spin of the black hole. Broad emission lines are produced only for compact irradiating sources situated close to the black hole. This is the only case where the black hole spin can be unambiguously determined. In all other cases the line shape is narrower, which could either be explained by a low spin or an elongated source. We conclude that in those cases and independent of the quality of the data no unique solution for the spin exists and therefore only a lower limit of the spin value can be given.

Authors with CRIS profile

Thomas Dauser Dr.Karl-Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, Astronomisches Institut Jörn Wilms Professur für Astronomie und Astrophysik Moritz Böck Dr.Karl-Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, Astronomisches Institut

Involved external institutions

Harvard University US United States (USA) (US) University of Maryland US United States (USA) (US) International Space Science Institute (ISSI) CH Switzerland (CH) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Dauser, T., Garcia, J., Wilms, J., Böck, M., Brenneman, L.W., Falanga, M.,... Reynolds, C.S. (2013). Irradiation of an accretion disc by a jet: general properties and implications for spin measurements of black holes. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 430(3), 1694-1708. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/mnras/sts710

MLA:

Dauser, Thomas, et al. "Irradiation of an accretion disc by a jet: general properties and implications for spin measurements of black holes." Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 430.3 (2013): 1694-1708.

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