Prediction and analysis of basic gravitational microlensing phenomena

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6934843

Nemiroff, R J

The phenomena of gravitational microlensing are described, and predictions are made about its possible future detection. A mathematical formalism developed exploits gravitational lensing effects in terms of photometric-measuring capability. This formalism is then used to outline the most-probable places to look for microlensing. Basic microlensing-induced light curves are calculated for a variety of possible lens-source configurations. These configurations include both a single star and a double star acting as the lens. The light-curve signatures of the double-star lens are themselves indicators of the microlensing phenomenon. Light-curve signatures for a single star acting on a uniform extended source are presented. Analysis is described listing methods by which parameters taken from this light curve could be used to recover both lens and source information. The effect of microlensing on the shape of the spectral lines originating in the broad-line emission region (BLR) of an active galactic nucleus (AGN) is analyzed. A sample finding list of QSO's is presented for observers. For the assumption of galaxies made up entirely of compact objects, calculations are presented for each QSO on the list.

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania Univ., Philadelphia (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6934843
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640106* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmology
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
EMISSION SPECTRA
GALAXY NUCLEI
GRAVITATIONAL LENSES
GRAVITATIONAL WAVE DETECTORS
LENSES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
QUASARS
RADIATION DETECTORS
SPECTRA