Synthesis of accretion disk and nonthermal source models for active galactic nuclei

Journal Article · Sun Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/167886· OSTI ID:5125782

Band, D L; Malkan, M A ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA) California Univ., Los Angeles (USA)

Multiwavelength observations of 12 AGN are fitted with a model consisting of a nonthermal source surrounding an accretion disk around a massive black hole. It is demonstrated that the combined model provides a reasonable explanation of the observed intrinsic continuum. Values of the central engine's defining parameters are derived. The accretion disk radiates at 0.25-0.5 of the Eddington luminosity. The mass is of order 4 x 10 to the 8th solar for moderately luminous QSOs and Seyfert galaxies in the sample. The nonthermal source has a radius of about 70 Schwarzschild radii, a magnetic field of about 300 G, and an electron density of about 6 x 10 to the 6th/cu cm. The luminosities in the synchrotron, accretion disk, and scattered components are comparable. The electron distribution shape is consistent with injection of a power law with radiative losses dominating above a break energy and an energy-independent loss mechanism below the break energy. 58 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5125782
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 345; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCRETION DISKS
BEAMS
BLACK HOLES
EDDINGTON THEORY
ELECTRON BEAMS
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY RANGE
ENERGY SPECTRA
FERMIONS
GALAXY NUCLEI
INTERACTIONS
LEPTON BEAMS
LEPTONS
LUMINOSITY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MASS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PAIR PRODUCTION
PARTICLE BEAMS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RELATIVISTIC RANGE
SPECTRA
SPECTROPHOTOMETRY
X-RAY SPECTRA