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Full-Text Articles in Astrophysics and Astronomy
Ion Viscosity Mediated By Tangled Magnetic Fields: An Application To Black Hole Accretion Disks, P. Subramanian, P. A. Becker, Menas Kafatos
Ion Viscosity Mediated By Tangled Magnetic Fields: An Application To Black Hole Accretion Disks, P. Subramanian, P. A. Becker, Menas Kafatos
Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research
We examine the viscosity associated with the shear stress exerted by ions in the presence of a tangled magnetic field. As an application, we consider the effect of this mechanism on the structure of black hole accretion disks. We do not attempt to include a self-consistent description of the magnetic field. Instead, we assume the existence of a tangled field with coherence length λcob• which is the average distance between the magnetic "kinks" that scatter the particles. For simplicity, we assume that the field is self-similar, and take λcob to be a fixed fraction ξ of the local disk height …
Implications Of Gamma-Ray Transparency Constraints In Blazars: Minimum Distances And Gamma-Ray Collimation, P. A. Becker, Menas Kafatos
Implications Of Gamma-Ray Transparency Constraints In Blazars: Minimum Distances And Gamma-Ray Collimation, P. A. Becker, Menas Kafatos
Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research
We develop a general expression for the γ-γ absorption coefficient, αγγ, for γ-rays propagating in an arbitrary direction at an arbitrary point in space above an X-ray-emitting accretion disk. The X-ray intensity is assumed to vary as a power law in energy and radius between the outer disk radius, R0 , and the inner radius, Rm., which is the radius of marginal stability for a Schwarzschild black hole. We use our result for αγγ to calculate the γ-γ optical depth, Tγγ, for γ-rays created at height z and propagating at angle Φ relative to the disk axis, and we show …
Transonic Inviscid Disc Flows In The Schwarzschild Metric – I, Menas Kafatos, Ruixin Yang
Transonic Inviscid Disc Flows In The Schwarzschild Metric – I, Menas Kafatos, Ruixin Yang
Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research
The coupled hydrodynamic equations governing equatorial flows applicable to inviscid disc accretion in the Schwarzschild metric are solved analytically and numerically. Here, we concentrate on the transonic solutions, that represent physically allowed accretion on to black holes. A polytropic equation linking gas pressure and density is assumed, and solutions are obtained for different conditions, such as isothermal and adiabatic gas flows. The dependence of those solutions on the angular momentum is explored. Under certain conditions, when there exist multiple possible sonic points, the numerical simulation automatically zeros in to the unique transonic solution passing through one of the sonic points.
Relativistic Particle Transport In Hot Accretion Disks, P. A. Becker, Menas Kafatos, M. Maisack
Relativistic Particle Transport In Hot Accretion Disks, P. A. Becker, Menas Kafatos, M. Maisack
Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research
Accretion disks around rapidly rotating black holes provide one of the few plausible models for the production of intense radiation in AGNs above energies of several hundred MeV. The rapid rotation of the hole increases the binding energy per nucleon in the last stable orbit relative to the Schwarzschild case, and naturally leads to ion temperatures in the range 10^12-10^13 K for sub-Eddington accretion rates. The protons in the hot inner region of a steady, two-temperature disk form a reservoir of energy that is sufficient to power the observed EGRET outbursts if the black hole mass is 10^10 M0 • …
Sub-Arc Second 2 Centimeter Continuum And Sio Spectral Line Observations Of R Aquarii, J. M. Hollis, A. G. Michalitsianos, Menas Kafatos, M. C. H. Wright, W. J. Welch
Sub-Arc Second 2 Centimeter Continuum And Sio Spectral Line Observations Of R Aquarii, J. M. Hollis, A. G. Michalitsianos, Menas Kafatos, M. C. H. Wright, W. J. Welch
Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research
ub-arc second (- 0'.'15) VLA observations at 2 em have resolved the previously reported 6 em H II region, which engulfs the R Aquarii binary system, into two components. The stronger 2 em component is itself partially resolved (distorted in shape), which may be a consequence of the long-period variable (LPV) wind being subjected to the intense ionizing radiation field of the hot companion's accretion disk, which we suspect is precessing. The distorted radio contours of the central H II region may also suggest that one hemisphere of the extended LPV envelope is directly illuminated by the intense radiation field …
The High-Energy Spectrum Of Hot Accretion Disks, J. A. Eilek, Menas Kafatos
The High-Energy Spectrum Of Hot Accretion Disks, J. A. Eilek, Menas Kafatos
Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research
A hot, two-temperature accretion disk can be a strong γ-ray and relativistic particle source. This occurs when the accretion rate is high enough -- M/ M ≥ 3 X 10^-9 α γr^-1 for a canonical Kerr black hole-due to the high ion temperature in the inner disk. We present detailed photon and particle spectra for specific disk models. The predicted γ-ray flux is as high as 10% of the bolometric luminosity in sub-Eddington models. Most of the γ-radiation is continuous, due to the π^0 decay, emitted around 100 MeV but degraded to a few MeV in optically thick models. Spectral …
High Spatial Resolution Vla Observations Of The R Aquarii Jet, Menas Kafatos, J. M. Hollis, A. G. Michalitsianos
High Spatial Resolution Vla Observations Of The R Aquarii Jet, Menas Kafatos, J. M. Hollis, A. G. Michalitsianos
Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research
High spatial resolution observations (~1") of the jet feature associated with the symbiotic variable R Aquarii were obtained with the Very Large Array (VLA). The peak radio intensity of the jet lies at a 29~3 P.A. with respect to the radio emission from R Aquarii itself. If the line defined by the jet and star is extended ~196", it intercepts a previously reported and heretofore unresolved radio source. In our high spatial resolution 6 cm map, this feature is resolved into a compact double radio source, whose peak intensity lies on an axis defined by the jet and star. The …
Radio And Optical Observations Of The R Aquarii Jet, R. J. Sopka, G. Herbig, Menas Kafatos, A. G. Michalitsianos
Radio And Optical Observations Of The R Aquarii Jet, R. J. Sopka, G. Herbig, Menas Kafatos, A. G. Michalitsianos
Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research
VLA observations at 6 cm and Lick Observatory optical plates of R Aquarii indicate the existence of a jetlike feature extending 7" -10" from the central star. A wide field map at 6 cm shows an unresolved compact radio source which lies close to the axis defined by the jet at a distance of ~ 3' from R Aqr. Episodic mass transfer in this symbiotic variable could explain the erratic outbursts that R Aqr is known to undergo. Formation of an accretion disk and the accompanying radio-optical jet may characterize the observed outbursts in this system.