The origin of blueshifted absorption features in the X-ray spectrum of PG 1211+143: outflow or disc

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dc.creator Gallo, Luigi C.
dc.creator Fabian, A. C.
dc.date.accessioned 2018-03-01T13:59:37Z
dc.date.available 2018-03-01T13:59:37Z
dc.date.issued 2013-09
dc.identifier.issn 0035-8711
dc.identifier.uri http://library2.smu.ca/handle/01/27303
dc.description Publisher's Version/PDF
dc.description.abstract In some radio-quiet active galactic nuclei (AGN), high-energy absorption features in the X-ray spectra have been interpreted as ultrafast outflows (UFOs) – highly ionized material (e.g. Fe XXV and Fe XXVI) ejected at mildly relativistic velocities. In some cases, these outflows can carry energy in excess of the binding energy of the host galaxy. Needless to say, these features demand our attention as they are strong signatures of AGN feedback and will influence galaxy evolution. For the same reason, alternative models need to be discussed and refuted or confirmed. Gallo and Fabian proposed that some of these features could arise from resonance absorption of the reflected spectrum in a layer of ionized material located above and corotating with the accretion disc. Therefore, the absorbing medium would be subjected to similar blurring effects as seen in the disc. A priori, the existence of such plasma above the disc is as plausible as a fast wind. In this work, we highlight the ambiguity by demonstrating that the absorption model can describe the ∼7.6 keV absorption feature (and possibly other features) in the quasar PG 1211+143, an AGN that is often described as a classic example of a UFO. In this model, the 2–10 keV spectrum would be largely reflection dominated (as opposed to power law dominated in the wind models) and the resonance absorption would be originating in a layer between about 6 and 60 gravitational radii. The studies of such features constitute a cornerstone for future X-ray observatories like Astro-H and Athena+. Should our model prove correct, or at least important in some cases, then absorption will provide another diagnostic tool with which to probe the inner accretion flow with future missions. en_CA
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dc.language.iso en en_CA
dc.publisher Oxford University Press en_CA
dc.relation.uri https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/mnrasl/slt080
dc.rights This article has been accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society ©: 2013 The Authors. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
dc.subject.lcsh X-ray sources, Galactic -- Accretion
dc.subject.lcsh Accretion (Astrophysics)
dc.subject.lcsh Black holes (Astronomy)
dc.subject.lcsh Active galactic nuclei
dc.title The origin of blueshifted absorption features in the X-ray spectrum of PG 1211+143: outflow or disc en_CA
dc.type Text en_CA
dcterms.bibliographicCitation Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 434(1), L66-L69. (2013) en_CA
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This article has been accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society ©: 2013 The Authors. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
 
Published Version: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/mnrasl/slt080
 
 

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