Abstract
The central engine of an active galactic nucleus with accretion shocks in a high-density and high-temperature plasma is a natural site for the relevant physical processes that may lead to coherent emission of synchrotron radiation, called synchrotron maser (SM). The acceleration of particles to a quasi-monoenergetic distribution function is discussed. Expressions for the width and the spectral shape of the SM line are derived. Some properties and conditions that can restrict the operation of an SM are investigated. Detailed calculations of the saturation of the radiation output from a region in space containing an SM are presented. This is coupled to the relaxation of the initially peaked distribution of relativistic electrons to a plateau. Both the stationary state and the time-dependent case are considered. Saturated optical depths and gain factors are derived for various geometries of the emission region. The possibility of molecular line amplification to megamaser luminosities by the SM is also considered. 47 refs.
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