Balmer Lines as Diagnostics of Physical Conditions in AGN Broad Emission Line Regions

Abstract

Using a well known method for laboratory plasma diagnostic, the Boltzmann-plot, we discuss the physical properties in Broad Line Region (BLR) of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN). We apply the Boltzmann-plot method to Balmer lines on a sample of 14 AGN, finding that it may indicate the existence of "Case B" recombination or Partial Local Thermodynamical Equilibrium (PLTE). For BLR of AGN, where PLTE exists, we estimated the electron temperature and density of BLR. The estimated electron temperature ($T\sim 13000 - 37000$ K) are in good agreement with previous estimates. The estimated electron densities depend on opacity of the emitting plasma in BLR. They are from $N_e\sim 10^9\rm cm^{-3}$ for optically thick to $N_e\sim 10^{14}\rm cm^{-3}$ for optically thin emission plasma in BLR. The estimated electron temperature has been shown to be velocity dependent, and it decreases for higher velocities. Although the alternative explanation than PLTE indicated by Boltzmann-plot may be considered (e.g. high intrinsic reddening), the method may give the quick estimate of physical conditions in BLR before to apply the sophisticated methods.