Modeling the time-resolved quasi-periodic oscillations in AGNs

Abstract

Observation of the bright Seyfert 1 galaxy RE J1034+396 is believed to demonstrate a drift of the central period of the Quasi Periodic Oscillation (QPO) linearly correlated with the temporary X-ray luminosity. We show, using a specific scenario of the oscillation mechanism in black hole accretion disc, that modeling such correlated trends puts very strong constraints on the nature of this oscillation and the characteristic features of the hot flow in Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN). In our model, QPO oscillations are due to the oscillations of the shock formed in the low angular momentum hot accretion flow, and the variation of the shock location corresponds to the observed changes in the QPO period and the X-ray flux. In this scenario, change in the shock location caused by perturbation of the flow angular momentum is compatible with the trends observed in RE J1034+396, whereas the perturbation of the specific flow energy results in too strong flux response to the change of the oscillation period. Using a complete general relativistic framework to study the accretion flow in the Kerr metric, we discuss the role of the black hole spin in the period drift. Future missions are expected to bring more active galaxies with time-resolved quasi-periodic oscillations so similar quantitative study for other QPO scenarios will be necessary.

Final version accepted for publication in MNRAS. Several modifications made. Eight pages. Six colour figures

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Cited by in corpus (9)

• Discovery of a ~2 hr high frequency X-ray QPO and iron K alpha reverberation in the active galaxy MS 2254.9-3712
• Searching for the trigger of the AGN QPO: 8 years of RE J1034+396
• Re-observing the NLS1 Galaxy RE J1034+396. I. the Long-term, Recurrent X-ray QPO with a High Significance
• Tracking the Evolution of QPO in RE J1034+396 Using the Hilbert-Huang Transform
• Effects of Kerr Strong Gravity on Quasar X-ray Microlensing
• Quasi periodic oscillations in active galactic nuclei
• Black Hole spin dependence of general relativistic multi-transonic accretion close to the horizon
• QPO in RE J1034+396: model constraints from observed trends
• On the origin of core radio emissions from black hole sources in the realm of relativistic shocked accretion flow