Nucleosynthesis inside thick accretion disks around black holes. II. Results for massive black holes

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/167035· OSTI ID:6146708

Jin, L; Arnett, W D; Chakrabarti, S K

The nucleosynthesis and nuclear energy generation in thick accretion disks around massive black holes are examined in detail. Calculations are presented and discussed for disk parameters relevant for QSOs and AGN. It is found that, depending on the disk parameters, various nuclear processes can take place in thick accretion disks around massive black holes. Limiting parameters are given for different processes. Nucleosynthesis can be used to infer physical conditions in disks and to put constraints on the disk parameters. In disks with sufficiently low viscosity, the CNO cycle could process hydrogen into helium. When a disk burns hydrogen significantly, the nuclear energy generation can be comparable to the gravitational energy released by viscosity in the local hydrogen-burning region, although the latter generally dominates. How active periods in the Galaxy and other galaxies could contribute to the initial metallicity enrichment is examined. 60 references.

• Research Organization: Chicago Univ., IL (USA); California Institute of Technology, Pasadena (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6146708
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Vol. 336
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCRETION DISKS
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
BLACK HOLES
ABUNDANCE
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CNO CYCLE
COSMOLOGY
GALAXIES
GALAXY NUCLEI
GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS
HYDROGEN BURNING
ISOTOPES
NUCLEAR ENERGY
QUASARS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ENERGY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
STAR BURNING
SYNTHESIS
640102* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources