T. Dauser

IMPROVED REFLECTION MODELS OF BLACK-HOLE ACCRETION DISKS: TREATING THE ANGULAR DISTRIBUTION OF X-RAYS

X-ray reflection models are used to constrain the properties of the accretion disk, such as the degree of ionization of the gas and the elemental abundances. In combination with general relativistic ray tracing codes, additional parameters like the spin of the black hole and the inclination to the system can be determined. However, current reflection models used for such studies only provide angle-averaged solutions for the flux reflected at the surface of the disk. Moreover, the emission angle of the photons changes over the disk due to relativistic light bending. To overcome this simplification, we have constructed an angle-dependent reflection model with the XILLVER code and self-consistently connected it with the relativistic blurring code RELLINE. The new model, relxill, calculates the proper emission angle of the radiation at each point on the accretion disk and then takes the corresponding reflection spectrum into account. We show that the reflected spectra from illuminated disks follow a limb-brightening law highly dependent on the ionization of disk and yet different from the commonly assumed form Iln (1 + 1/μ). A detailed comparison with the angle-averaged model is carried out in order to determine the bias in the parameters obtained by fitting a typical relativistic reflection spectrum. These simulations reveal that although the spin and inclination are mildly affected, the Fe abundance can be overestimated by up to a factor of two when derived from angle-averaged models. The fit of the new model to the Suzaku observation of the Seyfert galaxy Ark 120 clearly shows a significant improvement in the constraint of the physical parameters, in particular by enhancing the accuracy in the inclination angle and the spin determinations.

X-RAY REFLECTED SPECTRA FROM ACCRETION DISK MODELS. III. A COMPLETE GRID OF IONIZED REFLECTION CALCULATIONS

We present a new and complete library of synthetic spectra for modeling the component of emission that is reflected from an illuminated accretion disk. The spectra were computed using an updated version of our code XILLVER that incorporates new routines and a richer atomic database. We offer in the form of a table model an extensive grid of reflection models that cover a wide range of parameters. Each individual model is characterized by the photon index Γ of the illuminating radiation, the ionization parameter ξ at the surface of the disk (i.e., the ratio of the X-ray flux to the gas density), and the iron abundance A Fe relative to the solar value. The ranges of the parameters covered are 1.2 ≤ Γ ≤ 3.4, 1 ≤ ξ ≤ 104, and 0.5 ≤ A Fe ≤ 10. These ranges capture the physical conditions typically inferred from observations of active galactic nuclei, and also stellar-mass black holes in the hard state. This library is intended for use when the thermal disk flux is faint compared to the incident power-law flux. The models are expected to provide an accurate description of the Fe K emission line, which is the crucial spectral feature used to measure black hole spin. A total of 720 reflection spectra are provided in a single FITS file (http://hea-www.cfa.harvard.edu/~javier/xillver/) suitable for the analysis of X-ray observations via the atable model in XSPEC. Detailed comparisons with previous reflection models illustrate the improvements incorporated in this version of XILLVER.

Irradiation of an accretion disc by a jet: general properties and implications for spin measurements of black holes

X-ray irradiation of the accretion disc leads to strong reflection features, which are then broadened and distorted by relativistic effects. We present a detailed, general relativistic approach to model this irradiation for different geometries of the primary X-ray source. These geometries include the standard point source on the rotational axis as well as more jet-like sources, which are radially elongated and accelerating. Incorporating this code in the RELLINE model for relativistic line emission, the line shape for any configuration can be predicted. We study how different irradiation geometries affect the determination of the spin of the black hole. Broad emission lines are produced only for compact irradiating sources situated close to the black hole. This is the only case where the black hole spin can be unambiguously determined. In all other cases the line shape is narrower, which could either be explained by a low spin or an elongated source. We conclude that for those cases and independent of the quality of the data, no unique solution for the spin exists and therefore only a lower limit of the spin value can be given

The NuSTAR spectrum of Mrk 335: extreme relativistic effects within two gravitational radii of the event horizon?

We present 3–50keV NuSTAR observations of the active galactic nuclei Mrk 335 in a very low flux state. The spectrum is dominated by very strong features at the energies of the iron line at 5–7keV and Compton hump from 10–30keV. The source is variable during the observation, withthevariabilityconcentratedatlowenergies,whichsuggestingeitherarelativisticreflection oravariableabsorptionscenario.Inthiswork,wefocusonthereflectioninterpretation,making use of new relativistic reflection models that self consistently calculate the reflection fraction, relativistic blurring and angle-dependent reflection spectrum for different coronal heights to model the spectra. We find that the spectra can be well fitted with relativistic reflection, and that the lowest flux state spectrum is described by reflection alone, suggesting the effects of extreme light-bending occurring within ∼2 gravitational radii (RG) of the event horizon. The reflection fraction decreases sharply with increasing flux, consistent with a point source moving up to above 10 RG as the source brightens. We constrain the spin parameter to greater than 0.9 at the 3σ confidence level. By adding a spin-dependent upper limit on the reflection fraction to our models, we demonstrate that this can be a powerful way of constraining the spin parameter, particularly in reflection dominated states. We also calculate a detailed emissivity profile for the iron line, and find that it closely matches theoretical predictions for a compact source within a few RG of the black hole.

On the determination of the spin and disc truncation of accreting black holes using X-ray reflection

We discuss the application of simple relativistically-blurred X-ray reflection models to the determination of the spin and the inner radius of the disc in accreting black holes. Observationally, the nature of the corona is uncertain a priori, but a robust determination of the inner disk radius can be made when the disc emissivity index is tightly constrained. When the inner disc is well illuminated, the black hole spin can also be determined. Using reflection modelling derived from ray tracing, we show that robust determination of disc truncation requires that the location of the coronal source is quasi-static and at a height and radius less than the truncation radius of the disc. Robust spin measurements require that at least part of the corona lies less than about 10 gravitational radii above the black hole in order that the innermost regions, including the innermost stable circular orbit, are well illuminated. The width of the blurring kernel (e.g., the iron line) has a strong dependence on coronal height. These limitations may be particularly applicable at low Eddington fractions (e.g. the low/hard state, and low-luminosity AGN) where the height of the corona may be relatively large, or outflowing, and tied to jet production.

The role of the reflection fraction in constraining black hole spin

In many active galaxies, the X-ray reflection features from the innermost regions of the accretion disc are relativistically distorted. This distortion allows us to measure parameters of the black hole such as its spin. The ratio in flux between the direct and the reflected radiation, the so-called reflection fraction, is determined directly from the geometry and location of primary source of radiation. We calculate the reflection fraction in the lamp post geometry in order to determine its maximal possible value for a given value of black hole spin. We show that high reflection fractions in excess of 2 are only possible for rapidly rotating black holes, suggesting that the high spin sources produce the strongest relativistic reflection features. Using simulations we show that taking this constraint into account does significantly improve the determination of the spin values. We make software routines for the most popular X-ray data analysis packages available that incorporate these additional constraints.

NuSTAR and Suzaku X-Ray Spectroscopy of NGC 4151: Evidence for Reflection from the Inner Accretion Disk

We present X-ray timing and spectral analyses of simultaneous 150 ks Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) and Suzaku X-ray observations of the Seyfert 1.5 galaxy NGC 4151. We disentangle the continuum emission, absorption, and reflection properties of the active galactic nucleus (AGN) by applying inner accretion disk reflection and absorption-dominated models. With a time-averaged spectral analysis, we find strong evidence for relativistic reflection from the inner accretion disk. We find that relativistic emission arises from a highly ionized inner accretion disk with a steep emissivity profile, which suggests an intense, compact illuminating source. We find a preliminary, near-maximal black hole spin_(ɑ > 0.9) accounting for statistical and systematic modeling errors. We find a relatively moderate reflection fraction with respect to predictions for the lamp post geometry, in which the illuminating corona is modeled as a point source. Through a time-resolved spectral analysis, we find that modest coronal and inner disk reflection (IDR) flux variation drives the spectral variability during the observations. We discuss various physical scenarios for the IDR model and we find that a compact corona is consistent with the observed features.

The broad iron Kα line of Cygnus X-1 as seen by XMM-Newton in the EPIC-pn modified timing mode

We present the analysis of the broadened, flourescent iron Kα line in simultaneous XMM-Newton and RXTE data from the black hole Cygnus X-1. The XMM-Newton data were taken in a modified version of the timing mode of the EPIC-pn camera. In this mode the lower energy threshold of the instrument is increased to 2.8keV to avoid telemetry drop outs due to the brightness of the source, while at the same time preserving the signal-to-noise ratio in the FeKα band. We find that the best-fit spectrum consists of the sum of an exponentially cutoff power-law and relativistically smeared, ionized reflection. The shape of the broadened FeKα feature is due to strong Compton broadening combined with relativistic broadening. Assuming a standard, thin accretion disk, the black hole is close to rotating maximally.

X-RAY REFLECTION SPECTROSCOPY OF THE BLACK HOLE GX 339{4: EXPLORING THE HARD STATE WITH UNPRECEDENTED SENSITIVITY

We analyze simultaneously six composite RXTE spectra of GX 339{4 in the hard state comprising 77 million counts collected over 196 ks. The source spectra are ordered by luminosity and span the range 1.6% to 17% of the Eddington luminosity. Crucially, using our new tool pcacorr, we re-calibrate the data to a precision of 0.1%, an order of magnitude improvement over all earlier work. Using our advanced reection model relxill, we target the strong features in the component of emission reected from the disk, namely, the relativistically-broadened Fe K emission line, the Fe K edge and the Compton hump. We report results for two joint ts to the six spectra: For the rst t, we x the spin parameter to its maximal value (a = 0:998) and allow the inner disk radius Rin to vary. Results include (i) precise measurements of Rin, with evidence that the disk becomes slightly truncated at a few percent of Eddington; and (ii) an order-of-magnitude swing with luminosity in the high energy cuto, which reaches > 890 keV at our lowest luminosity. For the second t, implementing the standard assumption of Rin = RISCO, we estimate the spin parameter to be a = 0:95 +0:03 0:05 (90% condence, statistical). For both ts, and at the same level of statistical condence, we estimate that the disk inclination is i = 48 1 deg and that the Fe abundance is super-solar, AFe = 5 1.

The response of relativistic outflowing gas to the inner accretion disk of a black hole

The brightness of an active galactic nucleus is set by the gas falling onto it from the galaxy, and the gas infall rate is regulated by the brightness of the active galactic nucleus; this feedback loop is the process by which supermassive black holes in the centres of galaxies may moderate the growth of their hosts. Gas outflows (in the form of disk winds) release huge quantities of energy into the interstellar medium, potentially clearing the surrounding gas. The most extreme (in terms of speed and energy) of these—the ultrafast outflows—are the subset of X-ray-detected outflows with velocities higher than 10,000 kilometres per second, believed to originate in relativistic (that is, near the speed of light) disk winds a few hundred gravitational radii from the black hole. The absorption features produced by these outflows are variable, but no clear link has been found between the behaviour of the X-ray continuum and the velocity or optical depth of the outflows, owing to the long timescales of quasar variability. Here we report the observation of multiple absorption lines from an extreme ultrafast gas flow in the X-ray spectrum of the active galactic nucleus IRAS 13224−3809, at 0.236 ± 0.006 times the speed of light (71,000 kilometres per second), where the absorption is strongly anti-correlated with the emission of X-rays from the inner regions of the accretion disk. If the gas flow is identified as a genuine outflow then it is in the fastest five per cent of such winds, and its variability is hundreds of times faster than in other variable winds, allowing us to observe in hours what would take months in a quasar. We find X-ray spectral signatures of the wind simultaneously in both low- and high-energy detectors, suggesting a single ionized outflow, linking the low- and high-energy absorption lines. That this disk wind is responding to the emission from the inner accretion disk demonstrates a connection between accretion processes occurring on very different scales: the X-ray emission from within a few gravitational radii of the black hole ionizing the disk wind hundreds of gravitational radii further away as the X-ray flux rises.