Related papers: Old models for Cygnus X-1 and AGN
I briefly review the theoretical models of radiatively efficient, geometrically thin and optically thick accretion disk spectra that currently exist for AGN. I then discuss three recent observational developments that have real potential to…
The black-hole binary Cygnus X-1 was observed for 17 ks with the Suzaku X-ray observatory in 2005 October, while it was in a low/hard state with a 0.7-300 keV luminosity of 4.6 x 10^37 erg/s. The XIS and HXD spectra, spanning 0.7-400 keV,…
We perform a detailed study of the black hole spin of Cyg X-1, using accurate broad-band X-ray data obtained in the soft spectral state by simultaneous NICER and NuSTAR observations, supplemented at high energies by INTEGRAL data. We use…
Models of jet production in black hole systems suggest that the properties of the accretion disk - such as its mass accretion rate, inner radius, and emergent magnetic field - should drive and modulate the production of relativistic jets.…
Within the standard accretion disk theory for active galactic nuclei (AGN), the observed X-rays are often modeled by Compton up-scattering of ultraviolet (UV) disk photons inside a hot disk corona. Here, we point out that for many AGN,…
We present the first results of coordinated multi-wavelength observations of the Galactic black hole GX 339-4 in a canonical low-hard state, obtained during its 2004 outburst. XMM-Newton observed the source for 2 revolutions, or…
This review covers the main aspects of black hole accretion disk theory. We begin with the view that one of the main goals of the theory is to better understand the nature of black holes themselves. In this light we discuss how accretion…
We present an extension of the King et al. (2004) model for the flickering of black hole accretion discs by taking proper account for the thermal properties of the disc. First we develop a one-dimensional, vertically averaged, one-zone…
In this paper I review and discuss the basic concepts of accretion disks, focused especially on the case of accretion disks around black holes. The well known alpha-model is revisited, showing the strengths and weaknesses of the model.…
These notes resulted from a series of lectures at the IAC winter school. They are designed to help students, especially those just starting in subject, to get hold of the fundamental tools used to study accretion powered sources. As such,…
We have recently put forward a 'unified' semi-empirical model for the coupling between accretion and jet production in galactic black hole X-ray binaries (published in MNRAS, 2004). In this paper we summarise this model and briefly discuss…
We present X-ray/gamma-ray spectra of Cyg X-1 observed during the transition from the hard to the soft state and in the soft state by ASCA, RXTE and OSSE in 1996 May and June. The spectra consist of a dominant soft component below ~2 keV…
The main characteristics of the average spectrum of radio quiet AGN in the UV and X-ray range are reviewed, and the emission mechanisms are discussed in the framework of accretion disk models, in particular the ``irradiated cold…
I review the observed temporal X-ray properties of Galactic black hole candidates and the status of theoretical modeling of these properties. Like spectral X-ray properties, which has so far attracted most of the attention, the temporal…
We review models which include advective accretion disks onto compact objects and discuss the influence of the centrifugal pressure supported high density region close to the compact objects on the emitted spectra. We show that the…
Stellar-mass black holes offer what is perhaps the best scenario to test theories of gravity in the strong-field regime. In particular, f(R) theories, which have been widely discuss in a cosmological context, can be constrained through…
This dissertation elaborates on X-ray polarisation features of astrophysical environments near accreting black holes. Although the work was originally assigned to supermassive black holes in active galactic nuclei, the results are also…
X-ray reflection features observed from the innermost regions of accretion disks in Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) allow important tests of accretion theory. In recent years it has been possible to use the Fe K line and reflection continuum…
As matter accretes onto the central supermassive black holes in active galactic nuclei (AGN), X-rays are emitted. We present a population synthesis model that accounts for the summed X-ray emission from growing black holes; modulo the…
We present a large sample of type 1 AGN spectra taken with XMM-Newton. We fit them with the relativistically blurred photoionized disc model of Ross & Fabian (2005). This model is based on an illuminated accretion disc of fluorescing and…