Modelling the X-ray spectra of high velocity outflows from quasars

Abstract

High velocity outflows from supermassive black holes have been invoked to explain the recent identification of strong absorption features in the hard X-ray spectra of several quasars. Here, Monte Carlo radiative transfer calculations are performed to synthesise X-ray spectra from models of such flows. It is found that simple, parametric bi-conical outflow models with plausible choices for the wind parameters predict spectra that are in good qualitative agreement with observations in the 2 - 10 keV band. The influence on the spectrum of both the mass-loss rate and opening angle of the flow are considered: the latter is important since photon leakage plays a significant role in establishing an ionization gradient within the flow, a useful discriminant between spherical and conical outflow for this and other applications. Particular attention is given to the bright quasar PG1211+143 for which constraints on the outflow geometry and mass-loss rate are discussed subject to the limitations of the currently available observational data.

arXiv comment15 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication by MNRAS

Cited by in corpus (18)

• MHD Accretion-Disk Winds as X-ray Absorbers in AGNs
• Multi-dimensional modelling of X-ray spectra for AGN accretion-disk outflows III: application to a hydrodynamical simulation
• The variable X-ray spectrum of Markarian 766 - I. Principal components analysis
• Multi-dimensional modelling of X-ray spectra for AGN accretion-disk outflows
• Monte Carlo Radiative Transfer
• Magnetically-Driven Accretion-Disk Winds and Ultra-Fast Outflows in PG1211+143
• Multi-dimensional modelling of X-ray spectra for AGN accretion-disk outflows II
• A Simple Disk Wind Model for Broad Absorption Line Quasars
• Modeling High-Velocity QSO Absorbers with Photoionized MHD Disk-Winds
• Evidence for relativistic features in the X-ray spectrum of Mrk 335
• Modeling the Fe K Line Profiles in Type I AGN with a Compton-Thick Disk Wind
• NGC 5548: Lack of a Broad Fe K Line and Constraints on the Location of the Hard X-ray Source
• Tell-Tale Spectral Signatures of MHD-driven Ultra-Fast Outflows in AGNs
• Synthetic X-ray spectra for simulations of the dynamics of an accretion flow irradiated by a quasar
• Funnel wall jets and the nature of the soft X-ray excess
• Monte Carlo radiation hydrodynamics: methods, tests and application to supernova Type Ia ejecta
• A disc wind model for blueshifts in quasar broad emission lines
• SIROCCO: A Publicly Available Monte Carlo Ionization and Radiative Transfer Code for Astrophysical Outflows