The origin of the soft excess in high L/L_Edd AGN

Details The origin of the soft excess in high L/L_Edd AGN The origin of the soft excess in high L/L_Edd AGN

2007-03-16

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0703452v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

4 pages, 2 figures, for the conference proceedings of "The Extreme Universe in the Suzaku Era",(Progress of Theoretical Physic

Scientific paper

10.1143/PTPS.169.248

We discuss the origin of the soft X-ray excess seen in AGN. There are clear advantages to models where this arises from atomic processes in partially ionised material rather than where it is a true continuum component. However, current data cannot distinguish between models where this material is seen in reflection or absorption, even for the archetypal 'reflection dominated' AGN MCG-6-30-15. Instead, we give physical arguments on the ionisation structure of X-ray illuminated material which exclude a reflection origin if the disc is in hydrostatic equilibrium. The same physical processes strongly favour an absorption origin for the soft excess, giving a more messy picture of the accretion environment. This implies that these apparently 'reflection dominated' AGN are not good places to test GR, but they do give insight into the spectra expected from the first QSO's in the early Universe.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The origin of the soft excess in high L/L_Edd AGN 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 origin of the soft excess in high L/L_Edd AGN, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The origin of the soft excess in high L/L_Edd AGN will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-679442