Transient spectral features have been discovered in the X-ray spectra of Active Galactic Nuclei, mostly in the 5-7 keV energy range. Several interpretations were proposed for the origin of these features. We examined a model of Doppler boosted blue horns of the iron line originating from a spot in a black hole accretion disc, taking into account different approximations of general relativistic light rays and the resulting shift of energy of photons. We provide a practical formula for the blue horn energy of an intrinsically narrow line and assess its accuracy by comparing the approximation against an exact value, predicted under the assumption of a planar accretion disc. The most accurate approximation provides excellent agreement with the spot orbital radius down to the marginally stable orbit of a non-rotating black hole.

Pechacek, T., Dovciak, M., Karas, V., Matt, G. (2005). The relativistic shift of narrow spectral features from black-hole accretion discs. ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS, 441(3), 855-861 [10.1051/0004-6361:20053451].

The relativistic shift of narrow spectral features from black-hole accretion discs

MATT, Giorgio
2005-01-01

Abstract

Transient spectral features have been discovered in the X-ray spectra of Active Galactic Nuclei, mostly in the 5-7 keV energy range. Several interpretations were proposed for the origin of these features. We examined a model of Doppler boosted blue horns of the iron line originating from a spot in a black hole accretion disc, taking into account different approximations of general relativistic light rays and the resulting shift of energy of photons. We provide a practical formula for the blue horn energy of an intrinsically narrow line and assess its accuracy by comparing the approximation against an exact value, predicted under the assumption of a planar accretion disc. The most accurate approximation provides excellent agreement with the spot orbital radius down to the marginally stable orbit of a non-rotating black hole.
2005
Pechacek, T., Dovciak, M., Karas, V., Matt, G. (2005). The relativistic shift of narrow spectral features from black-hole accretion discs. ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS, 441(3), 855-861 [10.1051/0004-6361:20053451].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11590/132533
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