paper

Assessing black hole spin in deep Suzaku observations of Seyfert 1 AGN

arXiv:1106.2135 · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2011.19224.x

Abstract

We present a broad-band analysis of deep Suzaku observations of nearby Seyfert 1 AGN: Fairall 9, MCG--6-30-15, NGC 3516, NGC 3783 and NGC 4051. The use of deep observations (exposures >200 ks) with high S/N allows the complex spectra of these objects to be examined in full, taking into account features such as the soft excess, reflection continuum and complex absorption components. After a self-consistent modelling of the broad-band data (0.6-100.0 keV, also making use of BAT data from Swift), the subtle curvature which may be introduced as a consequence of warm absorbers has a measured affect upon the spectrum at energies >3 keV and the Fe K region. Forming a model (including absorption) of these AGN allows the true extent to which broadened diskline emission is present to be examined and as a result the measurement of accretion disc and black hole parameters which are consistent over the full 0.6-100.0 keV energy range. Fitting relativistic line emission models appear to rule out the presence of maximally spinning black holes in all objects at the 90% confidence level, in particular MCG--6-30-15 at >99.5% confidence. Relativistic Fe K line emission is only marginally required in NGC 3516 and not required in NGC 4051, over the full energy bandpass. Nonetheless, statistically significant broadened 6.4 keV Fe K alpha emission is detected in Fairall 9, MCG--6-30-15 and NGC 3783 yielding black hole spin estimates of a=0.67(+0.10,-0.11), a=0.4(+0.20,-0.12) and a<-0.04 respectively, when fitted with disc emission models.

25 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

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