arXiv subjects

Ari Laor

Publications and source records attributed to Ari Laor.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2001

On The Linearity of The Black Hole - Bulge Mass Relation in Active and in Nearby Galaxies

Analysis of PG quasar observations suggests a nonlinear relation between the black hole mass, M_BH, and the bulge mass, M_bulge, although a linear relation, as proposed for nearby galaxies, cannot be ruled out. New M_BH values for nearby galaxies from Gebhardt et al., and L_bulge measurements for Seyfert 1 galaxies from Virani et al., are used here to obtain a more accurate value for the slope of the M_BH-M_bulge relation. The combined sample of 40 active and non-active galaxies suggests a significantly nonlinear relation, M_BH\propto M_bulge^{1.53\pm 0.14}. Further support for a nonlinear relation is provided by the slope of the M_BH-stellar velocity dispersion relation found recently, and by the low M_BH found in late type spiral galaxies. The mean M_BH/M_bulge ratio is therefore not a universal constant, but rather drops from ~0.5% in bright (M_V ~ -22) ellipticals, to ~0.05% in low luminosity (M_V ~ -18) bulges. Hubble Space Telescope determinations of M_BH in late type spirals, and of the bulge magnitude in narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxies (both predicted to have low M_BH), can further test the validity of the nonlinear M_BH-M_bulge relation.

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arXiv2000

On Black Hole Masses and Radio Loudness in AGN

The distribution of radio to optical fluxes in AGN is bimodal. The physical origin for this bimodality is not understood. In this Letter I describe observational evidence, based on the Boroson & Green PG quasar sample, that the radio loudness bimodality is strongly related to the black hole mass (M_BH). Nearly all PG quasars with M_BH>10^9M_sun are radio loud, while quasars with M_BH<3x10^8M_sun are practically all radio quiet. This result is consistent with the dependence of quasar host galaxy morphology on radio loudness. There is no simple physical explanation for this result, but it may provide a clue on how jets are formed near massive black holes. The radio loudness--black hole mass relationship suggests that the properties of various types of AGN may be largely set by three basic parameters, M_BH, L/L_Eddington, and inclination angle.

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arXiv2000

Optical, UV, and X-ray Clues to the Nature of Narrow Line AGNs

AGNs with narrow Balmer lines show various extreme properties. In particular, rapid X-ray variability, steep X-ray spectra, peculiar optical and UV line ratios, and possibly peculiar line profiles. Since all these phenomena occur together they are likely to be related to one specific underlying physical parameter. I review recent evidence, based on HST imaging of low z quasars, which suggests that the H-beta line width and continuum luminosity of quasars provide a reasonably accurate estimate of the black hole mass. This implies that narrow-line AGN have relatively low black hole masses, and thus high L/L_Edd, as independently suggested based on their steep X-ray spectra. I present additional evidence suggesting that the X-ray variability and the radio loudness are primarily driven by the black hole mass. The high mass inflow rate into the core of narrow-line AGNs may produce a denser and more enriched BLR, a high column radiation pressure driven outflow, and a smaller illumination angle for the NLR, as suggested by the observed emission line properties. Narrow-line AGNs may thus provide important clues for understanding the rich overall phenomenology of AGNs.

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arXiv1999

The Spectral Signature of Dust Scattering and Polarization in the Near IR to Far UV. I. Optical Depth and Geometry Effects

Spectropolarimetry from the near IR to the far UV of light scattered by dust provides a valuable diagnostic of the dust composition, grain size distribution and spatial distribution. To facilitate the use of this diagnostic, we present detailed calculations of the intensity and polarization spectral signature of light scattered by optically thin and optically thick dust in various geometries. The polarized light radiative transfer calculations are carried out using the adding-doubling method for a plane-parallel slab, and are extended to an optically thick sphere by integrating over its surface. The calculations are for the Mathis, Rumple & Nordsieck Galactic dust model, and cover the range from 1 $μm$ to 500 Å. We find that the wavelength dependence of the scattered light intensity provides a sensitive probe of the optical depth of the scattering medium, while the polarization wavelength dependence provides a probe of the grain scattering properties, which is practically independent of optical depth. We provide a detailed set of predictions, including polarization maps, which can be used to probe the properties of dust through imaging spectropolarimetry in the near IR to far UV of various Galactic and extragalactic objects. In a following paper we use the codes developed here to provide predictions for the dependence of the intensity and polarization on grain size distribution and composition.

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arXiv1998

The UV Properties of I Zw 1

IZw1 is the prototype narrow line quasar. This type of AGNs show a number of common peculiar characteristics whose physical origin is not yet well understood. Here, I review the results of a detailed study by Laor et al. (1997b) of the UV emission properties of IZw1, based on a high quality HST FOS spectrum. The main results are: 1) The Mg II and the Al III doublets are resolved, indicating optically thick thermalized emission, as expected for a standard BLR. 2) Lines from ions of increasing ionization level show increasing excess blue wing flux, and an increasing line peak velocity shift, suggesting an out-flowing component of the BLR, visible only in the approaching direction, where the ionization level increases with velocity. 3) A weak associated UV absorption system is detected in N V, C IV, Si IV and Lya, which is probably part of the outflow suggested above. 4) The C III] 1909 line indicates a BLR density about an order of magnitude larger than commonly observed in quasars. An additional denser component is implied by the Al III 1857 doublet. 5) Prominent Fe II and FeIII emission is seen, including components which may indicate significant Lya pumping of the 8-10 eV levels of Fe II. Further studies suggest that some of the above properties are typical of narrow line AGNs.

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arXiv1998

The Ionizing Continuum of Quasars

The ionizing continuum shape of quasars is generally not directly observable, but indirect arguments, based on photoionization models and thin accretion disk models suggest that it should peak in the extreme UV, and drop steeply into the soft X-ray regime. However, recent observations of very soft X-ray emission in low z quasars, and far UV emission of high z quasars, suggest that the ionizing continuum of quasars does not peak in the extreme UV, and may extend as a single power law from ~1000 A to ~1 keV. If true, that has interesting implications for photoionization models and for accretion disk models. The proposed revised continuum shape will be tested directly in the near future with FUSE.

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arXiv1998

On Quasar Masses and Quasar Host Galaxies

The mass of massive black holes in quasar cores can be deduced using the typical velocities of Hb-emitting clouds in the Broad Line Region (BLR) and the size of this region. However, this estimate depends on various assumptions and is susceptible to large systematic errors. The Hb-deduced black hole mass in a sample of 14 bright quasars is found here to correlate with the quasar host galaxy luminosity, as determined with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). This correlation is similar to the black hole mass vs. bulge luminosity correlation found by Magorrian et al. in a sample of 32 nearby normal galaxies. The similarity of the two correlations is remarkable since the two samples involve apparently different types of objects and since the black hole mass estimates in quasars and in nearby galaxies are based on very different methods. This similarity provides a ``calibration'' of the Hb-deduced black hole mass estimate, suggesting it is accurate to +-0.5 on log scale. The similarity of the two correlations also suggests that quasars reside in otherwise normal galaxies, and that the luminosity of quasar hosts can be estimated to +-0.5 mag based on the quasar continuum luminosity and the Hb line width. Future imaging observations of additional broad-line active galaxies with the HST are required in order to explore the extent, slope, and scatter of the black hole mass vs. host bulge luminosity correlation in active galaxies.

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arXiv1998

The variability properties of X-ray steep and X-ray flat quasars

We have studied the variability of 6 low redshift, radio quiet `PG' quasars on three timescales (days, weeks, and months) using the ROSAT HRI. The quasars were chosen to lie at the two extreme ends of the ROSAT PSPC spectral index distribution and hence of the H$β$ FWHM distribution. The observation strategy has been carefully designed to provide even sampling on these three basic timescales and to provide a uniform sampling among the quasars We have found clear evidence that the X-ray steep, narrow H_beta, quasars systematically show larger amplitude variations than the X-ray flat broad H_beta quasars on timescales from 2 days to 20 days. On longer timescales we do not find significant differences between steep and flat quasars, although the statistics are poorer. We suggest that the above correlation between variability properties and spectral steepness can be explained in a scenario in which the X-ray steep, narrow line objects are in a higher L/L_Edd state with respect to the X-ray flat, broad line objects. We evaluated the power spectrum of PG1440+356 (the brigthest quasar in our sample) between 2E-7 and 1E-3 Hz, where it goes into the noise. The power spectrum is roughly consistent with a 1/f law between 1E-3 and 2E-6 Hz. Below this frequency it flattens significantly.

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arXiv1998

A Note on the Viability of Gaseous Ionization in Active Galaxies by Fast Shocks

Observational evidence suggest that shocks may affect the spatial and velocity distributions of gas in the NLR/ENLR of some active galaxies. It thus seemed plausible that shocks may also energize the NLR. The observed emission line ratios strongly favor photoionization as the heating source, but it is not clear whether the ionizing radiation is generated in the NLR by "photoionizing shocks" or whether it originates at the central continuum source. Here I point out that shocks are highly inefficient in producing line emission. Shocks in the NLR can convert at most 10^{-6} of the rest mass to ionizing radiation, compared with a maximum conversion efficiency of ~0.1 for the central continuum source. The required mass flow rate through shocks in the NLR is thus a few orders of magnitude higher than the mass accretion rate required to power the NLR by the central continuum source. Since gravity appears to dominate the NLR cloud dynamics, shocks must lead to an inflow, and the implied high inflow rates can be ruled out in most active galaxies. NLR dynamics driven by a thermal wind or by some jet configurations may produce the mass flux through shocks required for photoionizing shocks to be viable, but the mass flux inward from the NLR must be kept ~100-1000 times smaller. Photoionizing shocks are a viable mechanism in very low luminosity active galaxies if they are highly sub-Eddington (<~10^{-4}) and if they convert mass to radiation with a very low efficiency (<~10^{-4}).

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arXiv1998

Are AGN Broad Emission Lines Formed by Discrete Clouds? --- Analysis of Keck High Resolution Spectroscopy of NGC 4151

We search for a direct signature of discrete ''clouds'' in the broad line region (BLR) of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151. For this purpose we apply cross correlation (CC) analysis to a high resolution KECK spectrum of the galaxy. No such signature is found in the data. In order for cloud models to be compatible with this result, there must be at least $\sim3\times10^7$ emitting clouds in the BLR, where the limit is based on simulation of a homogeneous cloud population. More realistic distributions increase the lower limit to above $10^8$. These numbers are an order of magnitude improvement on our previous limit from Mrk 335, where the improvement comes from higher S/N, broader lines, and refined simulations. Combined with the predicted upper limit for the number of emitting clouds in NGC 4151 ($10^6-10^7$), the derived lower limit puts a strong constraint on the cloud scenario in the BLR of this object. Similar constraints can be paled on models where the emission originates in streams and sheets. Thus, this investigation suggests that the BELs in NGC 4151, and by extension in all AGNs, are not made of an ensemble of discrete independent emitters.

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arXiv1997

The UV Properties of the Narrow Line Quasar I Zwicky 1

I Zw 1 is the prototype narrow line quasar. We report here the results of our study of the UV emission of I Zw 1 using a high S/N (50-120) spectrum obtained with the HST FOS. The following main new results are obtained: 1. The Mg II and Al III doublets are partially/fully resolved. The measured doublet ratios verify theoretical predictions that the lines are thermalized in the BLR. 2. A weak associated UV absorption system is detected in N~V, and possibly also in C IV and Lya, suggesting an outflow with a velocity of 1870 km/s and velocity dispersion <300 km/s. 3. Lines from ions of increasing ionization level show increasing excess blue wing flux, and an increasing line peak velocity shift, reaching a maximum blueshift of about 2000 km/s for He II 1640. This may indicate an out-flowing component in the BLR, where the ionization level increases with velocity, and which is visible only in the approaching direction. The highest velocity part of this outflow may produce the associated UV absorption system. 4. The small C III] 1909 EW, and the small C III] 1909/Lya and C III] 1909/Si III] 1892 flux ratios indicate a typical BLR density of 10^11, i.e. about an order of magnitude larger than implied by C III] 1909 in most quasars. A BLR component of a higher density is implied by the EW and doublet ratio of the Al III 1857 doublet. 5. Prominent Fe II UV 191 emission is seen, together with weaker line emission at 1294 and 1871 A. These three features have been proposed as evidence for significant Lya pumping of the 8-10 eV levels of Fe II. 6. Significant Fe III emission is present. The Fe III UV 34 and UV 48 multiplets are clearly resolved, and Fe III UV 1, UV 47, UV 50, and UV 68 may also be present. (Shortened version)

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arXiv1997

Life Extinctions By Cosmic Ray Bursts

High energy cosmic ray jets from nearby mergers or accretion induced collapse (AIC) of neutron stars (NS) that hit the atmosphere can produce lethal fluxes of atmospheric muons at ground level, underground and underwater, destroy the ozone layer and radioactivate the environment. They could have caused most of the massive life extinctions on planet Earth in the past 600 My. Biological mutations due to ionizing radiations could have caused the fast appearance of new species after the massive extinctions. An early warning of future extinctions due to NS mergers may be obtained by identifying, mapping and timing all the nearby binary neutron stars systems. A warning of an approaching cosmic ray burst from a nearby NS merger/AIC may be provided by a very intense gamma ray burst which preceeds it.

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arXiv1997

Hadronic Production of TeV Gamma Ray Flares from Blazars

We propose that TeV $γ$-ray emission from blazars is produced by collisions near the line of sight of high energy jet protons with gas targets (``clouds'') from the broad emission-line region (BLR). Intense TeV $γ$-ray flares (GRFs) are produced when BLR clouds cross the line of sight close to the black hole. The model reproduces the observed properties of the recently reported very short and intense TeV GRFs from the blazar Markarian 421. Hadronic production of TeV GRF from blazars implies that it is accompanied by a simultaneous emission of high energy neutrinos, and of electrons and positrons with similar intensities, light curves and energy spectra. Cooling of these electrons and positrons by emission of synchrotron radiation and inverse Compton scattering produces delayed optical, X-ray and $γ$-ray flares.

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arXiv1996

Life Extinction Due To Neutron Star Mergers

Cosmic ray bursts (CRBs) from mergers or accretion induced collapse of neutron stars that hit an Earth-like planet closer than $\sim 1 kpc$ from the explosion produce lethal fluxes of atmospheric muons at ground level, underground and underwater. These CRBs also destroy the ozone layer and radioactivate the environment. The mean rate of such life devastating CRBs is one in 100 million years (Myr), consistent with the observed 5 ``great'' extinctions in the past 600 Myr. Unlike the previously suggested extraterrestrial extinction mechanisms the CRBs explain massive life extinction on the ground, underground and underwater and the higher survival levels of radiation resistant species and of terrain sheltered species. More distant mergers can cause smaller extinctions. Biological mutations caused by ionizing radiation produced by the CRB may explain a fast appearance of new species after mass extinctions. The CRB extinction predicts detectable enrichment of rock layers which formed during the extinction periods with cosmogenically produced radioactive nucleides such as $^{129}$I, $^{146}$Sm, $^{205}$Pb with and $^{244}$Pu. Tracks of high energy particles in rock layers on Earth and on the moon may also contain records of intense CRBs. An early warning of future extinctions due to neutron star mergers can be obtained by identifying, mapping and timing all the nearby binary neutron stars systems. A final warning of an approaching CRB from a nearby neutron stars merger will be provided by a gamma ray burst a few days before the arrival of the CRB.

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arXiv1996

The HST Spectrum of I Zw 1: Implications of the C III^* λ1176 Emission Line

I Zw 1 is a well known narrow line quasar with very strong Fe II emission. High S/N spectra obtained with the HST FOS show a remarkably rich emission line spectrum. The C III$^* λ1176$ line is clearly detected in emission for the first time in AGNs. This line arises from radiative decay to the $2s2p^3P^o_{0,1,2}$ metastable levels of C III. The observed flux is 50 larger than expected from collisional excitation, or dielectronic recombination, in photoionized gas. The most plausible mechanism for the large enhancement in the C III^* λ1176 flux is resonance scattering of continuum photons by C III^* ions. This mechanism requires large velocity gradients 1000 km/s within each emitting cloud in the BLR. Such large velocity gradients can be induced by forces external to the gas in the BLR clouds, such as tidal disruption, or radiation pressure.

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arXiv1996

Lyman $α$ Absorption as a Sensitive Probe of the H I Column in Cooling Flows

X-ray spectra of a significant fraction of cooling flow (CF) clusters of galaxies indicate the presence of a large column of ``cold'' absorbing gas. The physical nature of the absorbing medium remains a mystery. Searches for H I absorption using the 21 cm hyperfine structure line yielded null results in most cases. The purpose of this contribution is to point out that the Lyman $α$ absorption cross section is ~10^7 times larger than for the 21 cm line, it can therefore be used as a very sensitive probe of the H I column in clusters, and can thus place stringent constraints on the nature of the X-ray absorber. This method is applied to the Perseus CF cluster where a medium resolution (~250 km/s) UV spectrum is available. The upper limit on the H I column obtained using Lyman $α$ is at least ~50 times smaller than the 21 cm detection, and ~5,000 smaller than implied by X-ray spectra, indicating that the X-ray absorber is exceedingly devoid of H I. Higher resolution UV spectra with HST may improve the H I column limits by an additional factor of ~4,000. This method can be applied to strongly constrain the nature of the X-ray absorbing medium in a significant fraction of CF clusters .

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arXiv1996

The Soft X-Ray Properties of a Complete Sample of Optically Selected Quasars II. Final Results

We present the final results of a ROSAT PSPC program to study the soft X-ray emission properties of a complete sample of low $z$ quasars. The main results are: 1. There is no evidence for significant soft excess emission or excess foreground absorption by cold gas in 22 of the 23 quasars. 2. The mean 0.2-2 keV continuum of quasars agrees remarkably well with an extrapolation of the mean 1050-350A continuum recently determined by Zheng et al. (1996), indicating that there is no steep soft component below 0.2 keV. 3. The occurrence of warm absorbers in quasars is rather rare, in sharp contrast to lower luminosity AGN. 4. The strongest correlation found is between the spectral slope, alpha_x, and the Hb FWHM. This remarkably strong correlation may result from a dependence of alpha_x on L/L_Edd, as seen in Galactic black hole candidates. 5. There appears to exist a distinct class of ``X-ray weak'' quasars. These may be quasars where the direct X-ray source is obscured, and only scattered X-rays are observed. 6. Thin accretion disk models cannot reproduce the observed optical to soft X-ray spectral shape. An as yet unknown physical mechanism maintains a strong correlation between the optical and soft X-ray emission. 7. The well known difference in alpha_x between radio-loud and radio-quiet quasars may be due only to their different Hb FWHM. 8. The agreement of the 21 cm and X-ray columns implies that He in the diffuse H II component of the Galactic ISM is ionized to He II or He III (shortened abstract).

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arXiv1993

The Ultraviolet Emission Properties of Five Low-Redshift Active Galactic Nuclei at High Signal to Noise and Spectral Resolution

We analyze the ultraviolet (UV) emission line and continuum properties of five low-redshift active galactic nuclei (four luminous quasars: PKS~0405$-$123, H1821+643, PG~0953+414, and 3C273, and one bright Seyfert 1 galaxy: Mrk~205). The HST spectra have higher signal-to-noise ratios (typically $\sim 60$ per resolution element) and spectral resolution ($R = 1300$) than all previously- published UV spectra used to study the emission characteristics of active galactic nuclei. We include in the analysis ground-based optical spectra covering \hb\ and the narrow [O III] $λλ$4959,5007 doublet. The following new results are obtained: \lyb/\lya=0.03$-$0.12 for the four quasars, which is the first accurate measurement of the long-predicted \lyb\ intensity in QSOs. The cores of \lya\ and C~IV are symmetric to an accuracy of better than 2.5% within about 2000 km s$^{-1}$ of the line peak. This high degree of symmetry of \lya\ argues against models in which the broad line cloud velocity field has a significant radial component. The observed smoothness of the \lya\ and C~IV line profiles requires at least $\sim 10^4$ individual clouds if bulk velocity is the only line-broadening mechanism. The overall similarity of the \lya\ and C IV $λ$1549 profiles rules out models for the broad line region (BLR) with a radial distribution of virialized....

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