ACCRETION DISK TEMPERATURES OF QSOs: CONSTRAINTS FROM THE EMISSION LINES

Journal Article · Mon Jun 10 00:00:00 EDT 2013 · Astrophysical Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/770/1/30· OSTI ID:22127165

Bonning, E. W. ^[1]; Shields, G. A.; Stevens, A. C.

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1. Quest University Canada, 3200 University Boulevard, Squamish, BC V8B 0N8 (Canada)

We compare QSO emission-line spectra to predictions based on theoretical ionizing continua of accretion disks. The observed line intensities do not show the expected trend of higher ionization with theoretical accretion disk temperature as predicted from the black hole mass and accretion rate. Consistent with earlier studies, this suggests that the inner disk does not reach temperatures as high as expected from standard disk theory. Modified radial temperature profiles, taking account of winds or advection in the inner disk, achieve better agreement with observation. The emission lines of radio-detected and radio-undetected sources show different trends as a function of the theoretically predicted disk temperature.

• OSTI ID: 22127165
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 770, Issue 1; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTROPHYSICS
COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY
ACCRETION DISKS
ADVECTION
BLACK HOLES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
EMISSION
FORECASTING
GALAXIES
QUASARS