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

Journal Article · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1988 · 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), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 336; ISSN ASJOA
• 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
ABUNDANCE
ACCRETION DISKS
BLACK HOLES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CNO CYCLE
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
COSMOLOGY
ENERGY
GALAXIES
GALAXY NUCLEI
GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS
HYDROGEN BURNING
ISOTOPES
NUCLEAR ENERGY
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
QUASARS
STAR BURNING
SYNTHESIS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES