The continuum emission of active galactic nuclei

Details The continuum emission of active galactic nuclei The continuum emission of active galactic nuclei

Apr 1990

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1990phdt........13l&link_type=abstract

Ph.D. Thesis Tel-Aviv Univ. (Israel).

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Accretion Disks, Active Galactic Nuclei, Black Holes (Astronomy), Continuous Spectra, Emission Spectra, Optical Polarization, Polarized Radiation, Radiative Transfer, Gravitational Effects, Opacity, Quasars, Radiation Pressure, Relativistic Effects, Relativity, Ultraviolet Radiation, X Rays

Scientific paper

The structure and spectrum of massive, geometrically thin, bare accretion discs surrounding a massive black hole were calculated and the results were compared with observations of active galactic nuclei (AGN). The calculations apply to an alpha-disc and full relativistic corrections were applied. The radiative transfer equations were solved by the Eddington approximation for an atmosphere with a vertical temperature gradient. All disks considered were found to be radiation-pressure dominated throughout the self-gravity-dominated region. Owing to the vertical temperature gradient, the surface temperature was found to be close to the effective temperature, even where there were significant electron scattering effects, contrary to previous findings. Relativistic effects were found to modify the spectrum considerably at large viewing angles; the angular dependence may have important implications for the modeling of AGN emission lines. Theoretical calculations are presented for the continuum polarization. Classical calculations predict high polarization for thin accretion disk continua at large inclination angles, contrary to observations of most AGN. The polarization of such disks was calculated using an improved radiative transfer method, including a full general relativistic treatment of the radiation propagation and its effects on polarization. The overall polarization was found to be much less than previously suggested.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The continuum emission of active galactic nuclei does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The continuum emission of active galactic nuclei, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The continuum emission of active galactic nuclei will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1383060