Euclid

Abstract:

In this work, we test the assertion that the scatter in the mass of black holes which drive quasars should be luminosity dependent with less scatter in more luminous objects. To this end, we measure the width of the Mg ii λ2799 line in quasar spectra from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), 2df QSO Redshift survey (2QZ) and 2dF SDSS LRG And QSO (2SLAQ) surveys and, by invoking an unnormalized virial mass estimator, relate the scatter in linewidth to the scatter of mass in the underlying black hole population. We find conclusive evidence for a trend such that there is less scatter in linewidth, and hence black hole mass, in more luminous objects. However, the most luminous objects in our sample show such a low degree of scatter in linewidth that, when combined with measures for the intrinsic scatter in the radius-luminosity relation for the broad-line region (BLR) in active galaxies, an inconsistency arises in the virial technique for estimating black hole masses. This analysis implies that, at least for the most luminous quasars, either there is little-to-no intrinsic scatter in the radius-luminosity relation or the Mg ii broad emission-line region is not totally dominated by virial velocities. Finally, we exploit the measured scatter in linewidths to constrain models for the velocity field of the BLR. We show that the lack of scatter in broad-line widths for luminous quasars is inconsistent with a pure planar/disc-like geometry for the BLR. In the case of a BLR with purely polar flows, the opening angle to luminous quasars must be less than ∼55°. We then explore the effects of adding a random or spherically symmetric component to the velocities of gas clouds in the BLR. Assuming an opening angle to quasars of 45°, a planar field can be made consistent with our results if ∼ 40-50 per cent of the velocities are randomly distributed. © 2008 The Authors.

Abstract:

We compute Fourier-resolved X-ray spectra of the Seyfert 1 Markarian 766 to study the shape of the variable components contributing to the 0.3-10 keV energy spectrum and their time-scale dependence. The fractional variability spectra peak at 1-3 keV, as in other Seyfert 1 galaxies, consistent with either a constant contribution from a soft excess component below 1 keV and Compton reflection component above 2 keV or variable warm absorption enhancing the variability in the 1-3 keV range. The rms spectra, which show the shape of the variable components only, are well described by a single power law with an absorption feature around 0.7 keV, which gives it an apparent soft excess. This spectral shape can be produced by a power law varying in normalization, affected by an approximately constant (within each orbit) warm absorber, with parameters similar to those found by Turner et al. for the warm-absorber layer covering all spectral components in their scattering scenario [NH ∼ 3 × 10²¹ cm^-2, log(ξ) ∼ 1]. The total soft excess in the average spectrum can therefore be produced by a combination of constant warm absorption on the power-law plus an additional less variable component. On shorter time-scales, the rms spectrum hardens and this evolution is well described by a change in power-law slope, while the absorption parameters remain the same. The frequency dependence of the rms spectra can be interpreted as variability arising from propagating fluctuations through an extended emitting region, whose emitted spectrum is a power law that hardens towards the centre. This scenario reduces the short time-scale variability of lower energy bands making the variable spectrum harder on shorter time-scales and at the same time explains the hard lags found in these data by Markowitz et al. © 2008 RAS.

Abstract:

We use a multidimensional Monte Carlo code to compute X-ray spectra for a variety of active galactic nucleus (AGN) disc-wind outflow geometries. We focus on the formation of blueshifted absorption features in the Fe K band and show that line features similar to those which have been reported in observations are often produced for lines of sight through disc-wind geometries. We also discuss the formation of other spectral features in highly ionized outflows. In particular, we show that, for sufficiently high wind densities, moderately strong Fe K emission lines can form and that electron scattering in the flow may cause these lines to develop extended red wings. We illustrate the potential relevance of such models to the interpretation of real X-ray data by comparison with observations of a well-known AGN, Mrk 766. Journal compilation © 2008 RAS.

Abstract:

Context. The variable X-ray spectra of AGN systematically show steep power-law high states and hard-spectrum low states. The hard, low state has previously been found to be a component with only weak variability. The origin of this component and the relative importance of effects such as absorption and relativistic blurring are currently not clear. Aims. In a follow-up of previous principal components analysis we aim to determine the relative importance of scattering and absorption effects on the time-varying X-ray spectrum of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 766. Methods. Time-resolved spectroscopy, slicing XMM and Suzaku data down to 25 ks elements is used to investigate whether absorption or scattering components dominate the spectral variations in Mrk 766. Results. Time-resolved spectroscopy confirms that spectral variability in Mrk 766 can be explained by either of two interpretations of principal components analysis. Detailed investigation confirm rapid changes in the relative strengths of scattered and direct emission or rapid changes in absorber covering fraction provide good explanations of most of the spectral variability. However, a strong correlation between the 6.97 keV absorption line and primary continuum together with rapid opacity changes show that variations in a complex and multi-layered absorber, most likely a disk wind, are the dominant source of spectral variability in Mrk 766. © ESO 2007.

Abstract:

Context. The Seyfert 1.8 galaxy ESO 113-G010 had been observed for the first time above 2 keV by XMM-Newton during a short exposure (∼4 ks) in May 2001. In addition to a significant soft X-ray excess, it showed one of the strongest (in EW) redshifted Fe Kα lines, at 5.4 keV. Aims. We present here a long (100 ks) XMM-Newton follow-up of this source performed in November 2005, in order to study over a longer time-scale its main X-ray properties. Methods. We use both timing analysis (Power Spectra Density analysis, rms spectra, flux-flux analysis) and spectral analysis which mainly focuses on the Fe Ka line complex. Results. The source was found in a higher/softer time-averaged flux state, and timing analysis of this source reveals strong, rapid variability. The Power Spectral Density (PSD) analysis indicates (at 95% confidence level) a break at 3.7-1.7^+1.0× 10 ^-4 Hz. This cut-off frequency is comparable to those measured in some other rapidly-variable Seyferts, such as MCG-6-30-15 and NGC 4051. From the mass-luminosity-time-scale, we infer that MBH ranges from 4 × 10⁶-10⁷ M⊙ and the source is accreting at or close to the Eddington rate (or even higher). The existing data cannot distinguish between spectral pivoting of the continuum and a two-component origin for the spectral softening, primarily because the data do not span a broad enough flux range. In the case of the two-component model, the fractional offsets measured in the flux-flux plots increase significantly toward higher energies (similar to what is observed in MCG-6-30-15) as expected if there exists a constant reflection component. Contrary to May 2001, no significant highly redshifted emission line is observed (which might be related to the source flux level), while two narrow emission lines at about 6.5 keV and 7 keV are observed. The S/N is not high enough to establish if the lines are variable or constant. As already suggested by the 2001 observation, no significant constant narrow 6.4 keV Fe Ka line (EW ≤ 32 eV) is observed, hence excluding any dominant emission from distant cold matter such as a torus in this Seyfert type 1.8 galaxy. © ESO 2007.