Pair-creation effects in accretion-shock models of active galactic nuclei

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (9) References (15) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Pair-Creation Effects in Accretion Shock Models of Active Galactic Nuclei Blondin, John M. ; Konigl, Arieh Abstract An exploration is undertaken of the possibility that the copious production of e(+)e(-) pairs that is expected to occur in AGNs with large compactness parameters may have an important effect on the structure of the accretion shock that may form near the central black hole in these sources. If the pairs are well coupled to the inflowing plasma, they could generate a substantial decrease in the effective value of the Eddington luminosity within the shock, and the radiation generated within the shock could play a substantial role in flow deceleration and thermalization even when the measured luminosity is far below the nominal Eddington value. The effect is demonstrated by a simple model of a planar shock that is mediated by Fermi-accelerated relativistic protons and radiation. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: December 1987 DOI: 10.1086/165842 Bibcode: 1987ApJ...323..451B Keywords: Active Galactic Nuclei; Astronomical Models; Black Holes (Astronomy); Galactic Radiation; Shock Wave Propagation; Astronomical Spectroscopy; Electron-Positron Pairs; Elementary Particles; Equilibrium Flow; X Ray Spectroscopy; Astrophysics; BLACK HOLES; ELEMENTARY PARTICLES; GALAXIES: NUCLEI; SHOCK WAVES; RADIATION MECHANISMS full text sources ADS |