Kinetically dominated FR II radio sources

Abstract

Abstract The existence of Fanaroff–Riley class II objects that are kinetically dominated, the jet kinetic luminosity, Q, is larger than the total thermal luminosity (infrared to X-ray) of the accretion flow, Lbol, is of profound theoretical interest. Such objects are not expected in most theoretical models of the central engine of radio-loud active galactic nuclei. Thus, establishing such a class of objects is an important diagnostic for filtering through the myriad of theoretical possibilities. This Letter attempts to establish a class of quasars that have existed in a state of kinetic dominance, R(t) ≡Q(t)/Lbol(t) > 1, at some epoch, t. It is argued that the 10 quasars in this article with a long-term time-average , that exceeds LEdd are likely to have satisfied the condition R(t) > 1 either presently or in the past based on the rarity of Lbol > LEdd quasars. Finally, the existence of these sources is discussed in the context of the theory of the central engine.