Properties Of Accretion Disks Research Articles

GLOBAL PROPERTIES OF FULLY CONVECTIVE ACCRETION DISKS FROM LOCAL SIMULATIONS

We present an approach to deriving global properties of accretion disks from the knowledge of local solutions derived from numerical simulations based on the shearing box approximation. The approach consists of a two-step procedure. First a local solution valid for all values of the disk height is constructed by piecing together an interior solution obtained numerically with an analytical exterior radiative solution. The matching is obtained by assuming hydrostatic balance and radiative equilibrium. Although in principle the procedure can be carried out in general, it simplifies considerably when the interior solution is fully convective. In these cases, the construction is analogous to the derivation of the Hayashi tracks for protostars. The second step consists of piecing together the local solutions at different radii to obtain a global solution. Here we use the symmetry of the solutions with respect to the defining dimensionless numbers--in a way similar to the use of homology relations in stellar structure theory--to obtain the scaling properties of the various disk quantities with radius.

Thin accretion disks around cold Bose–Einstein condensate stars

Due to their superfluid properties some compact astrophysical objects, like neutron or quark stars, may contain a significant part of their matter in the form of a Bose-Einstein Condensate. Observationally distinguishing between neutron/quark stars and Bose-Einstein Condensate stars is a major challenge for this latter theoretical model. An observational possibility of indirectly distinguishing Bose-Einstein Condensate stars from neutron/quark stars is through the study of the thin accretion disks around compact general relativistic objects. In the present paper, we perform a detailed comparative study of the electromagnetic and thermodynamic properties of the thin accretion disks around rapidly rotating Bose-Einstein Condensate stars, neutron stars and quark stars, respectively. Due to the differences in the exterior geometry, the thermodynamic and electromagnetic properties of the disks (energy flux, temperature distribution, equilibrium radiation spectrum and efficiency of energy conversion) are different for these classes of compact objects. Hence in this preliminary study we have pointed out some astrophysical signatures that may allow to observationally discriminate between Bose-Einstein Condensate stars and neutron/quark stars, respectively.

Brane-world stars with a solid crust and vacuum exterior

The minimal geometric deformation approach is employed to show the existence of brane-world stellar distributions with a vacuum Schwarzschild exterior, thus without energy leaking from the exterior of the brane-world star into the extra dimension. The interior satisfies all the elementary criteria of physical acceptability for a stellar solution, namely, it is regular at the origin, the pressure and density are positive and decrease monotonically with increasing radius, and all energy conditions are fulfilled. A very thin solid crust with negative radial pressure separates the interior from the exterior, having a thickness inversely proportional to both the brane tension and the radius R of the star, i.e. . This brane-world star with Schwarzschild exterior would appear only thermally radiating to a distant observer and be fully compatible with the stringent constraints imposed on stellar parameters by observations of gravitational lensing, orbital evolutions or properties of accretion disks.

Slowly rotating black holes in Einstein-Dilaton-Gauss-Bonnet gravity: Quadratic order in spin solutions

We derive a stationary and axisymmetric black hole solution in Einstein-Dilaton-Gauss-Bonnet gravity to quadratic order in the ratio of the spin angular momentum to the black hole mass squared. This solution introduces new corrections to previously found nonspinning and linear-in-spin solutions. The location of the event horizon and the ergosphere are modified, as well as the quadrupole moment. The new solution is of Petrov type I, although lower order in spin solutions are of Petrov type D. There are no closed timelike curves or spacetime regions that violate causality outside of the event horizon in the new solution. We calculate the modifications to the binding energy, Kepler's third law, and properties of the innermost stable circular orbit. These modifications are important for determining how the electromagnetic properties of accretion disks around supermassive black holes are changed from those expected in general relativity.

INFERENCE ON ACCRETION FLOW DYNAMICS USING TCAF SOLUTION FROM THE ANALYSIS OF SPECTRAL EVOLUTION OF H 1743-322 DURING THE 2010 OUTBURST

We study accretion flow dynamics of Galactic transient black hole candidate (BHC) H 1743-322 during its 2010 outburst by analyzing spectral data using Two Component (Keplerian and sub-Keplerian) Advective Flow (TCAF) solution, after its inclusion in XSPEC as a local model. We compare our TCAF solution fitted results with combined disk black body and power-law model fitted results and find a similar smooth variation of thermal (Keplerian or disk black body) and non-thermal (power-law or sub-Keplerian) fluxes/rates in two types of model fits. For a spectral analysis, 2.5-25 keV spectral data from RXTE PCA instrument are used. From the TCAF solution fit, accretion flow parameters, such as Keplerian rate, sub-Keplerian rate, location of centrifugal pressure supported shock and strength of the shock are extracted, thus providing a deeper understanding of accretion process and properties of accretion disks around BHC H 1743-322 during its X-ray outburst. Based on the halo to disk accretion rate ratio (ARR), shock properties, accretion rates and nature of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs, if observed) entire outburst is classified into four different spectral states, such as, hard, hard-intermediate, soft-intermediate, and soft. From time variation of intrinsic flow parameters it appears that their evolutions in decline phase do not retrace path of rising phase. Since our current model does not include magnetic fields, spectral turnover at energies beyond 500-600 keV cannot be explained.

GERLUMPH DATA RELEASE 1: HIGH-RESOLUTION COSMOLOGICAL MICROLENSING MAGNIFICATION MAPS AND eResearch TOOLS

As synoptic all-sky surveys begin to discover new multiply lensed quasars, the flow of data will enable statistical cosmological microlensing studies of sufficient size to constrain quasar accretion disc and supermassive black hole properties. In preparation for this new era, we are undertaking the GPU-Enabled, High Resolution cosmological MicroLensing parameter survey (GERLUMPH). We present here the GERLUMPH Data Release 1, which consists of 12342 high resolution cosmological microlensing magnification maps and provides the first uniform coverage of the convergence, shear and smooth matter fraction parameter space. We use these maps to perform a comprehensive numerical investigation of the mass-sheet degeneracy, finding excellent agreement with its predictions. We study the effect of smooth matter on microlensing induced magnification fluctuations. In particular, in the minima and saddle-point regions, fluctuations are enhanced only along the critical line, while in the maxima region they are always enhanced for high smooth matter fractions (~0.9). We describe our approach to data management, including the use of an SQL database with a Web interface for data access and online analysis, obviating the need for individuals to download large volumes of data. In combination with existing observational databases and online applications, the GERLUMPH archive represents a fundamental component of a new microlensing eResearch cloud. Our maps and tools are publicly available at http://gerlumph.swin.edu.au/.

A MECHANISM FOR HYSTERESIS IN BLACK HOLE BINARY STATE TRANSITIONS

We suggest that the hysteretic cycle of black hole state transitions arises from two established properties of accretion disks: the increase in turbulent stress in disks threaded by a net magnetic field and the ability of thick (but not thin) disks to advect such a field radially. During quiescence, magnetic field loops are generated by the magnetorotational instability at the interface between the inner hot flow and outer thin disk. Vertical flux is advected into and accumulates stochastically within the inner flow, where it stimulates the turbulence so that $\alpha \sim 1$. The transition to a geometrically thin inner disk occurs when $L \sim \alpha^2 L_{\rm Edd} \sim L_{\rm Edd}$, and the first "thin" disk to form is itself moderately thick, strongly magnetized, and able to advect field inward. These properties favor episodic jet production. As the accretion rate declines magnetic flux escapes, $\alpha$ decreases to $\alpha \sim 0.01 - 0.1$, and a hot inner flow is not re-established until $L \ll L_{\rm Edd}$. We discuss possible observational consequences of our scenario.

SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLES WITH HIGH ACCRETION RATES IN ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI. I. FIRST RESULTS FROM A NEW REVERBERATION MAPPING CAMPAIGN

We report first results from a large project to measure black hole (BH) mass in high accretion rate active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Such objects may be different from other AGNs in being powered by slim accretion disks and showing saturated accretion luminosities, but both are not yet fully understood. The results are part of a large reverberation mapping (RM) campaign using the 2.4-m Shangri-La telescope at the Yunnan Observatory in China. The goals are to investigate the gas distribution near the BH and the properties of the central accretion disks, to measure BH mass and Eddington ratios, and to test the feasibility of using such objects as a new type of cosmological candles. The paper presents results for three objects, Mrk 335, Mrk 142 and IRAS F12397+3333 with H$\beta$ time lags relative to the 5100\AA\ continuum of $10.6^{+1.7}_{-2.9}$, $6.4^{+0.8}_{-2.2}$ and $11.4^{+2.9}_{-1.9}$ days, respectively. The corresponding BH masses are $(8.3_{-3.2}^{+2.6})\times 10^6M_{\odot}$, $(3.4_{-1.2}^{+0.5})\times 10^6M_{\odot}$ and $(7.5_{-4.1}^{+4.3})\times 10^6M_{\odot}$, and the lower limits on the Eddington ratios 0.6, 2.3, and 4.6 for the minimal radiative efficiency of 0.038. Mrk 142 and IRAS F12397+333 (extinction corrected) clearly deviate from the currently known relation between H$\beta$ lag and continuum luminosity. The three Eddington ratios are beyond the values expected in thin accretion disks and two of them are the largest measured so far among objects with RM-based BH masses. We briefly discuss implications for slim disks, BH growth and cosmology.

Distinguishing black holes from naked singularities through their accretion disc properties

We show that, in principle, a slowly evolving gravitationally collapsing perfect fluid cloud can asymptotically settle to a static spherically symmetric equilibrium configuration with a naked singularity at the center. We consider one such asymptotic final configuration with a finite outer radius, and construct a toy model in which it is matched to a Schwarzschild exterior geometry. We examine the properties of circular orbits in this model. We then investigate the observational signatures of a thermal accretion disc in this spacetime, comparing them with the signatures expected for a disc around a black hole of the same mass. Several notable differences emerge. A disc around the naked singularity is much more luminous than one around an equivalent black hole. Also, the disc around the naked singularity has a spectrum with a high frequency power law segment that carries a major fraction of the total luminosity. Thus, at least some naked singularities can, in principle, be distinguished observationally from the black holes of the same mass. We discuss the possible implications of these results.

Inner accretion disk edges in a Kerr-like spacetime

According to the no-hair theorem, astrophysical black holes are uniquely described by the Kerr metric. In order to test this theorem with observations in either the electromagnetic or gravitational-wave spectra, several Kerr-like spacetimes have been constructed which describe potential deviations from the Kerr spacetime in parametric form. For electromagnetic tests of the no-hair theorem, such metrics allow for the proper modeling of the accretion flows around candidate black holes and the radiation emitted from them. In many of these models, the location of the inner edge of the accretion disk is of special importance. This inner edge is often taken to coincide with the innermost stable circular orbit, which can serve as a direct probe of the spin and the deviation from the Kerr metric. In certain cases, however, an innermost stable circular orbit does not exist, and the inner edge of an accretion disk is instead determined by an instability against small perturbations in the direction vertical to the disk. In this paper, I analyze the properties of accretion disks in the Kerr-like metric proposed by Johannsen and Psaltis [Phys. Rev. D 83, 124015 (2011)], whose inner edges are located at the radii where this vertical instability occurs. I derive expressions of the energy and axial angular momentum of disk particles that move on circular equatorial orbits and calculate the locations of the inner disk edges. As a possible observable of such accretion disks, I simulate profiles of relativistically broadened iron lines and show that they depend significantly on the values of the spin and the deviation parameter.

The formation and evolution of wind-capture discs in binary systems

We study the formation, evolution and physical properties of accretion disks formed via wind capture in binary systems. Using the AMR code AstroBEAR, we have carried out high resolution 3D simulations that follow a stellar mass secondary in the co-rotating frame as it orbits a wind producing AGB primary. We first derive a resolution criteria, based on considerations of Bondi-Hoyle flows, that must be met in order to properly resolve the formation of accretion disks around the secondary. We then compare simulations of binaries with three different orbital radii (10, 15, 20 AU). Disks are formed in all three cases, however the size of the disk and, most importantly, its accretion rate decreases with orbital radii. In addition, the shape of the orbital motions of material within the disk becomes increasingly elliptical with increasing binary separation. The flow is mildly unsteady with "fluttering" around the bow shock observed. The disks are generally well aligned with the orbital plane after a few binary orbits. We do not observe the presence of any large scale, violent instabilities (such as the flip-flop mode). For the first time, moreover, it is observed that the wind component that is accreted towards the secondary has a vortex tube-like structure, rather than a column-like one as it was previously thought. In the context of AGB binary systems that might be precursors to Pre-Planetary and Planetary Nebula, we find that the wind accretion rates at the chosen orbital separations are generally too small to produce the most powerful outflows observed in these systems if the companions are main sequence stars but marginally capable if the companions are white dwarfs. It is likely that many of the more powerful PPN and PN involve closer binaries than the ones considered here. The results also demonstrate principles of broad relevance to all wind-capture binary systems.

Local outflows from turbulent accretion disks

The aim of this paper is to investigate the properties of accretion disks threaded by a weak vertical magnetic field, with a particular focus on the interplay between MHD turbulence driven by the magnetorotational instability (MRI) and outflows that might be launched from the disk. For that purpose, we use a set of numerical simulations performed with the MHD code RAMSES in the framework of the shearing box model. We concentrate on the case of a rather weak vertical magnetic field such that the initial ratio beta0 of the thermal and magnetic pressures in the disk midplane equals 10^4. As reported recently, we find that MHD turbulence drives an efficient outflow out of the computational box. We demonstrate a strong sensitivity of that result to the box size: enlargements in the radial and vertical directions lead to a reduction of up to an order of magnitude in the mass-loss rate. Such a dependence prevents any realistic estimates of disk mass-loss rates being derived using shearing-box simulations. We find however that the flow morphology is robust and independent of the numerical details of the simulations. Its properties display some features and approximate invariants that are reminiscent of the Blandford & Payne launching mechanism, but differences exist. For the magnetic field strength considered in this paper, we also find that angular momentum transport is most likely dominated by MHD turbulence, the saturation of which scales with the magnetic Prandtl number, the ratio of viscosity and resistivity, in a way that is in good agreement with expectations based on unstratified simulations. This paper thus demonstrates for the first time that accretion disks can simultaneously exhibit MRI-driven MHD turbulence along with magneto-centrifugally accelerated outflows.

A CODE TO COMPUTE THE EMISSION OF THIN ACCRETION DISKS IN NON-KERR SPACETIMES AND TEST THE NATURE OF BLACK HOLE CANDIDATES

Astrophysical black hole candidates are thought to be the Kerr black holes predicted by General Relativity, but the actual nature of these objects has still to be proven. The analysis of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a geometrically thin and optically thick accretion disk around a black hole candidate can provide information about the geometry of the space-time around the compact object and it can thus test the Kerr black hole hypothesis. In this paper, I present a code based on a ray-tracing approach and capable of computing some basic properties of thin accretion disks in space-times with deviations from the Kerr background. The code can be used to fit current and future X-ray data of stellar-mass black hole candidates and constrain possible deviations from the Kerr geometry in the spin parameter-deformation parameter plane.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN GRAVITATIONAL COLLAPSE AND SPACETIME SINGULARITIES

It is now known that when a massive star collapses under the force of its own gravity, the final fate of such a continual gravitational collapse will be either a black hole or a naked singularity under a wide variety of physically reasonable circumstances within the framework of general theory of relativity. The research of recent years has provided considerable clarity and insight on stellar collapse, black holes and the nature and structure of spacetime singularities. We discuss several of these developments here. There are also important fundamental questions that remain unanswered on the final fate of collapse of a massive matter cloud in gravitation theory, especially on naked singularities which are hypothetical astrophysical objects and on the nature of cosmic censorship hypothesis. These issues have key implications for our understanding on black hole physics today, its astrophysical applications, and for certain basic questions in cosmology and possible quantum theories of gravity. We consider these issues here and summarize recent results and current progress in these directions. The emerging astrophysical and observational perspectives and implications are discussed, with particular reference to the properties of accretion disks around black holes and naked singularities, which may provide characteristic signatures and could help distinguish these objects.

We Can See No Naked Supercritical Accretion Disks

The structure and emission properties of supercritical accretion disks have been well-investigated both analytically and numerically. Due to the existence of an optically thick wind, however, we cannot see the surface of the naked supercritical disks without wind, but observe the apparent photosphere formed in the wind. Using a simple wind model, we examined the observational appearance and expected spectra of the wind-disk system. We confirmed that the apparent photosphere in the wind is certainly located high above the disk surface. We also found that the comoving spectra of the apparent photosphere resembles the characteristic flat spectral energy distribution of the supercirtical disks, as long as the radiative flux is conserved in the wind, although the observed spectra remarkably depends on the velocity distribution on the apparent photosphere. We further examined the inclination angle dependence, and calculated the apparent luminosity of the wind-disk system. We found that the apparent luminosity distribution well-reproduces the observational trend of the luminosity function of the observed ultra-luminous X-ray sources.

THE MICROLENSING PROPERTIES OF A SAMPLE OF 87 LENSED QUASARS

Gravitational microlensing is a powerful tool for probing the physical properties of quasar accretion disks and properties of the lens galaxy such as its dark matter fraction and mean stellar mass. Unfortunately the number of lensed quasars ($\sim 90$) exceeds our monitoring capabilities. Thus, estimating their microlensing properties is important for identifying good microlensing candidates as well as for the expectations of future surveys. In this work we estimate the microlensing properties of a sample of 87 lensed quasars. While the median Einstein radius crossing time scale is 20.6 years, the median source crossing time scale is 7.3 months. Broadly speaking, this means that on $\sim 10$ year timescales roughly half the lenses will be quiescent, with the source in a broad demagnified valley, and roughly half will be active with the source lying in the caustic ridges. We also found that the location of the lens system relative to the CMB dipole has a modest effect on microlensing timescales, and in theory microlensing could be used to confirm the kinematic origin of the dipole. As a corollary of our study we analyzed the accretion rate parameters in a sub-sample of 32 lensed quasars. At fixed black hole mass, it is possible to sample a broad range of luminosities (i.e., Eddington factors) if it becomes feasible to monitor fainter lenses.

Black hole accretion disks in brane gravity via a confining potential

Accretion disks are among the most luminous and ubiquitous sources in astrophysics and they have drawn a good deal of attention from the observational and theoretical communities. In this paper, we study the process of matter forming thin accretion disks around black hole solutions in the context of the brane-world scenario where our universe is a three-brane embedded in an m-dimensional bulk and localization of matter on the brane is achieved by means of a confining potential. The physical properties of thin accretion disks including the time averaged energy flux, temperature distribution, the emission spectrum as well as the energy conversion efficiency are obtained, and the results are compared with the DMPR, CFM and BMD brane black holes and the standard general relativistic Schwarzschild solution.

The Hydrogen and Helium Lines of the Symbiotic Binary Z And during Its Brightening at the End of 2002

High resolution observations in the region of the lines Halpha, He II 4686 and Hgamma of the spectrum of the symbiotic binary Z And were performed during its small-amplitude brightening at the end of 2002. The profiles of the hydrogen lines were double-peaked. These profiles give a reason to suppose that the lines can be emitted mainly by an optically thin accretion disc. The Halpha line is strongly contaminated by the emission of the envelope, therefore for consideration of accretion disc properties we use the Hgamma line. The Halpha line had broad wings which are supposed to be determined mostly from radiation damping but high velocity stellar wind from the compact object in the system can also contribute to their appearance. The Hgamma line had a broad emission component which is assumed to be emitted mainly from the inner part of the accretion disc. The line He II 4686 had a broad emission component too, but it is supposed to appear in a region of a high velocity stellar wind. The outer radius of the accretion disc can be calculated from the shift between the peaks. Assuming, that the orbit inclination can ranges from 47$^\circ$ to 76$^\circ$, we estimate the outer radius as 20 - 50 R_sun. The behaviour of the observed lines can be considered in the framework of the model proposed for interpretation of the line spectrum during the major 2000 - 2002 brightening of this binary.

EMERGENT SPECTRA FROM DISKS SURROUNDING KERR BLACK HOLES: EFFECT OF PHOTON TRAPPING AND DISK SELF-SHADOWING

Based on a new estimation of their thickness, the global properties of relativistic slim accretion disks are investigated in this work. The resulting emergent spectra are calculated using the relativistic ray-tracing method, in which we neglect the self-irradiation of the accretion disk. The angular dependence of the disk luminosity, the effects of the heat advection and the disk thickness on the estimation of the black hole spin are discussed. Compare to the previous works, our improvements are that we use the self-consistent disk equations and we consider the disk self-shadowing effect. We find that at the moderate accretion rate, the radiation trapped in the outer region of the accretion disks will escape in the inner region of the accretion disk and contribute to the emergent spectra. At the high accretion rate, for the large inclination and large black hole spin, both the disk thickness and the heat advection have significant influence on the emergent spectra. Consequently, these effects will influence the measurement of the black hole spin based on the spectra fitting and influence the angular dependence of the luminosity. For the disks around Kerr black holes with $a=0.98$, if the disk inclination is greater than $60^\circ$, and their luminosity is beyond 0.2 Eddington luminosity, the spectral model which is based on the relativistic standard accretion disk is no longer applicable for the spectra fitting. We also confirm that the effect of the self-shadowing is significantly enhanced by the light-bending, which implies that the non-relativistic treatment of the self-shadowing is inaccurate. According to our results, the observed luminosity dependence of the measured spin suggests that the disk self-shadowing significantly shapes the spectra of GRS 1915+105, which might lead to the underestimation of the black hole spin for the high luminosity states.

On the accretion disc properties in eclipsing dwarf nova EM Cyg

In this paper we analyze the behavior of the unusual dwarf nova EM Cyg using the data obtained in April–October, 2007, at the Vyhorlat observatory (Slovak Republic) and in September, 2006, at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory (Ukraine). During our observations, EM Cyg has shown outbursts in every 15–40 days. Because on the light curves of EM Cyg a partial eclipse of the accretion disc is observed, we applied the eclipse mapping technique to a reconstruction of the temperature distribution in the eclipsed parts of the disc. Calculations of the accretion rate for the system were made for the quiescent and the outburst states of activity for various distances.