Hard X-ray emission mechanism of active galactic nuclei sources

Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/183015· OSTI ID:5965552

Liang, E P.T.

Within the framework of unsaturated Compton disk accretion onto a supermassive black hole as model for power-law active galactic nuclei X-ray sources (as opposed to the synchro-Compton model), we compare the hot inner disk model of Shapiro, Lightman, and Eardley and the disk corona model with balanced conduction and Compton losses. Both can generate electron temperatures > or approx. =10/sup 9/ K in the supermassive case but promise other observable distinctions. The sandwich configuration of the disk corona provides a natural explanation of why Comptonization is unsaturated.

• Research Organization: Institute of Theoretical Physics, Stanford University
• OSTI ID: 5965552
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States) Vol. 231:3; ISSN AJLEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BASIC INTERACTIONS
BLACK HOLES
COMPTON EFFECT
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
ELASTIC SCATTERING
ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERACTIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
GALAXIES
HARD X RADIATION
INTERACTIONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PHOTONS
PLASMA
RADIATIONS
SCATTERING
SOLAR CORONA
STAR ACCRETION
STAR EVOLUTION
STAR MODELS
X RADIATION