Related papers: AGN models for the X and gamma-ray backgrounds
Compton Thick (CT) AGN are a key ingredient of Cosmic X-ray Background (CXB) synthesis models, but are still an elusive component of the AGN population beyond the local Universe. Multi-wavelength surveys are the only way to find them at z >…
A common model invoked to describe the X-ray spectra of active galaxies includes a relativistically blurred reflection component, which in some cases can be the dominant contributor to the received flux. Alternative interpretations are…
I present an overview of observational studies of quasars of all types, with particular emphasis on X-ray observational studies. The presentation is based on the most popularly accepted unified picture of quasars - collectively referred to…
Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) are sources of high-energy gamma-rays and are considered to be promising candidates to be sources of high-energy cosmic rays and neutrinos as well. We present and discuss various models for ion acceleration and…
Models for the origin of the hard X-ray background have suggested that sources with the most accretion activity lie hidden in highly obscured AGN. We report on our study of hard, serendipitous sources in the fields of Chandra clusters with…
A complete census of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) is a prerequisite for understanding the growth of supermassive black holes across cosmic time. A significant challenge toward this goal is the whereabouts of heavily obscured AGN that remain…
The X-ray Background (XRB) probably originates from the integrated X-ray emission of active galactic nuclei (AGN). Modelling of its flat spectrum implies considerable absorption in most AGN. Compton down-scattering means that sources in…
This paper discusses the properties of scattering--dominated active galactic nuclei (AGN). We define these to be AGN for which the direct line-of-sight to the continuum source is obscured by Compton-thick material. The aim is to construct,…
The X-ray luminosity function (XLF) of galaxies is dominated by AGN (classified by their optical spectra) above Lx=10**42 erg/s, below this value by normal galaxies. The X-ray flux of AGN at low X-ray luminosity therefore contains…
The spectra of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) are often characterized by a wealth of emission lines with different profiles and intensity ratios that led to a complicated classification. Their electro-magnetic radiation spans more than 10…
Hard X-ray observations are the most efficient way to discriminate accretion-powered sources from star-light. Furthermore, hard X-rays are less affected than other bands by obscuration. For these reasons the advent of imaging instruments…
From the earliest extragalactic infrared studies AGN have shown themselves to be strong infrared sources and IR surveys have revealed new populations of AGN. I briefly review current motivations for AGN surveys in the infrared and results…
According to the latest versions of synthesis modeling of the Cosmic X-ray Background, Compton Thick AGN should represent ~50% of the total absorbed AGN population. However, despite their importance in the cosmological context, only a few…
We undertake a spectral study of a sample of bright X-ray sources taken from six XMM-Newton fields at high galactic latitudes, where AGN are the most populous class. These six fields were chosen such that the observation had an exposure…
We present new methods to quantify the AGN population in terms of a multi-dimensional luminosity function that describes the space density of sources as a function of both X-ray and radio luminosity. We compile a sample of 1538 radio and…
Long-time-scale X-ray and optical variability is a key characteristic of AGN. Here, we summarise our current understanding of the X-ray and optical continuum variability of radio-quiet AGN and the relation between the two bands. We…
The X-ray Background has been resolved in the 0.5-5keV band and found to consist mostly of both unabsorbed and absorbed AGN with column densities <1e23. This contrasts with the local AGN population where the column density range extends to…
The physics results of high energy gamma-ray astronomy are reported, emphasizing recent achievements with ground-based detectors. This includes some of the instrumental developments and latest projects. The fundamental contribution of the…
Rapid flux changes in the X-ray emission from active galactic nuclei are commonly observed. The power-density spectra show a pseudo power-law form with a turnover at low frequencies and a high frequency break, similar to galactic black-hole…
AIMS: We investigate here the nature of all the sources (35 in total) in the XBS survey (which is 86% optically identified) showing an optical spectrum dominated by the light from the host galaxy with no evidence (or little evidence) for…