MAGNETICALLY LEVITATING ACCRETION DISKS AROUND SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLES

Journal Article · Sat Oct 20 04:00:00 EDT 2012 · Astrophysical Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/758/2/103· OSTI ID:22086514

Gaburov, Evghenii ^[1]; Johansen, Anders ^[2]; Levin, Yuri ^[3]

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1. Centre for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics, Northwestern University, 2131 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208 (United States)
2. Lund Observatory, Department of Astronomy and Theoretical Physics, Lund University, Box 43, SE-221 00 Lund (Sweden)
3. School of Physics and Monash Center for Astrophysics, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800 (Australia)

In this paper, we report on the formation of magnetically levitating accretion disks around supermassive black holes (SMBHs). The structure of these disks is calculated by numerically modeling tidal disruption of magnetized interstellar gas clouds. We find that the resulting disks are entirely supported by the pressure of the magnetic fields against the component of gravitational force directed perpendicular to the disks. The magnetic field shows ordered large-scale geometry that remains stable for the duration of our numerical experiments extending over 10% of the disk lifetime. Strong magnetic pressure allows high accretion rate and inhibits disk fragmentation. This in combination with the repeated feeding of magnetized molecular clouds to an SMBH yields a possible solution to the long-standing puzzle of black hole growth in the centers of galaxies.

• OSTI ID: 22086514
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal, Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 758; ISSN ASJOAB; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
ACCRETION DISKS
BLACK HOLES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
FRAGMENTATION
GALAXIES
GALAXY NUCLEI
INTERSTELLAR GRAINS
LIFETIME
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS