Warm absorbers in active galactic nuclei

Abstract

Recent {\it ASCA} observations confirm the presence of X-ray absorption due to partially ionized gas in many Seyfert 1 galaxies; the so-called warm absorber. Constraints on the location of the warm material are presented with the conclusion that this material lies at radii coincident with, or just outside, the broad-line region. The stability of this warm material to isobaric perturbations under the assumptions of thermal and photoionization equilibrium is also studied. It is shown that there is a remarkably small range of ionization parameter, $\xi$, for which the warm absorber state is stable. The robustness of this result to changes in the shape of the primary continuum, the assumed density and optical depth is investigated. Given the constraints on the location and the stability properties of the material, several models for the environments of Seyfert nuclei are discussed. These attempt to explain the presence of significant amounts of partially ionized material. In particular, various models of the broad-line region are discussed. The simple two-phase model of the broad-line region proves to be unsatisfactory. A model of the broad-line region is presented in which a turbulent, hot intercloud medium is mechanically heated. Turbulent mixing layers could then give rise to warm absorption features. Finally, a model is discussed in which the warm absorber is due to a steady state, radiatively driven outflow.