Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

L. C. Popovic

Publications and source records attributed to L. C. Popovic.

50 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

On the influence of Stark broadening on Cr I lines in stellar atmospheres

Using the semiclassical perturbation method, electron-, proton-, and ionized helium-impact line widths and shifts for the nine Cr I spectral lines from the $4p^7P^0-4d^7D$ multiplet, have been calculated for a perturbers density of 10$^{14}$ cm$^{-3}$ and temperatures T =2,500 - 50,000 K. The obtained results have been used to investigate the influence of Stark broadening effect in the Cr-rich Ap star $β$ CrB atmosphere on line shapes of these lines. It has been found that the contribution of the proton and He II collisions to the line width and shift is significant, and it is comparable and sometimes (depending of the electron temperature) even larger than electron-impact contribution. Moreover, not only the Stark line width, but, depending on the electron-, proton-, and He\ii density in stellar atmosphere also the Stark shift may contribute to the blue as well as to the red asymmetry of the same line. The obtained results have been used to investigate the influence of Stark broadening effect on line shapes of Crılines in the atmosphere of Cr-rich Ap star $β$ CrB.

astro-ph↗

The influence of gravitational lensing on the spectra of lensed QSOs

We consider the influence of (milli/micro)lensing on the spectra of lensed QSOs. We propose a method for the observational detection of microlensing in the spectra of lensed QSOs and apply it to the spectra of the three lensed QSOs (PG 1115+080, QSO 1413+117 and QSO 0957+561) observed with Hubble Space Telescope (HST). We find that the flux ratio between images A1 and A2 of PG 1115+080 is wavelength-dependent and shows differential magnification between the emission lines and the continuum. We interpret this magnification as arising from millilensing. We also find that the temporal variations in the continuum of image C of QSO 1413+117 may be caused by microlensing, while the temporal variation observed in QSO 0957+561 was probably an intrinsic one.

astro-ph↗

Connection between the X-ray, UV and optical emission line regions of AGNs

In order to investigate the connection between the X-ray, UV and optical spectral line regions, we selected a sample of AGN which have the strong Fe K-alpha line and analyze the UV and optical spectral lines. Here we present an example of AGN NGC 3516. In this object it seems that geometries of all three emitting regions are similar, i.e. the broad line shapes can be explained by the multicomponent emitting line region with a disk emission. The disk emission contributes to the wings, while one (spherical) emitting region contributes to the line core. Concerning the Fe K-alpha, UV and Balmer line shapes it seems that these broad line emitting regions in NGC 3516 are geometrically similar, i.e. in all wavelengths the lines are emitted partly from the disk partly from a spherical region.

astro-ph↗

Searches of stellar mass dark matter from an analysis of variabilities of high red-shifted QSOs

We consider a contribution of microlensing to the X-ray variability of high-redshifted QSOs. Such an effect could be caused by stellar mass objects (SMO) located in a bulge or/and in a halo of this quasar as well as at cosmological distances between an observer and a quasar. Cosmologically distributed gravitational microlenses could be localized in galaxies (or even in bulge or halo of gravitational macrolenses) or could be distributed in a uniform way. We have analyzed both cases of such distributions. As a result of our analysis, we obtained that the optical depth for microlensing caused by stellar mass objects is usually small for quasar bulge and quasar halo gravitational microlens distributions. On the other hand, the optical depth for gravitational microlensing caused by cosmologically distributed deflectors could be significant and could reach 0.01 - 0.1 at z ~ 2. This means that cosmologically distributed deflectors may contribute significantlly to the X-ray variability of high-redshifted QSOs (z > 2). Considering that the upper limit of the optical depth (~ 0.1) corresponds to the case where dark matter forms cosmologically distributed deflectors, observations of the X-ray variations of unlensed QSOs can be used for the estimation of the dark matter fraction of microlenses.

astro-ph↗

Contribution of the Disk Emission to the Broad Emission Lines in AGNs: Two-component model

We present an investigation of the structure of the emission line region in a sample of 12 single-peaked Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs). Using the high resolution H-beta and H-alpha line profiles observed with the Isaac Newton Telescope (La Palma) we study the substructure in the lines (such as shoulders or bumps) which can indicate a disk or disk-like emission in Broad Line Regions (BLRs). Applying Gaussian analysis we found that both kinds of emission regions, BLR and NLR, are complex. In this sample the narrow [OIII] lines are composites of two components; NLR1 which have random velocities from \sim 200 to 500 km/s and systematic velocities toward the blue from 20 to 350 km/s, and NLR2 with smaller random velocities (\sim 100-200 km/s) and a redshift corresponding to the cosmological one. The BLR also have complex structure and we apply a two-component model assuming that the line wings originate in a very broad line region (VBLR) and the line core in an intermediate line region (ILR). The VBLR is assumed to be an accretion disk and the ILR a spherical emission region. The model fits very well the H-alpha and H-beta line profiles of the AGNs.

astro-ph↗

On the contribution of microlensing to X-ray variability of high-redshifted QSOs

We consider a contribution of microlensing in X-ray variability of high-redshifted QSOs. Such an effect could be caused by stellar mass objects (SMO) located in a bulge or/and in a halo of this quasar as well as at cosmological distances between an observer and a quasar. Here, we not considerability of microlensing caused by deflectors in our Galaxy since it is well-known from recent MACHO, EROS and OGLE observations that the corresponding optical depth for the Galactic halo and the Galactic bulge is lower than $10^{-6}$. Cosmologically distributed gravitational microlenses could be localized in galaxies (or even in bulge or halo of gravitational macrolenses) or could be distributed in a uniform way. We have analyzed both cases of such distributions. As a result of our analysis, we obtained that an optical depth for microlensing caused by stellar mass objects is usually small for quasar bulge and quasar halo gravitational microlens distributions ($τ\sim 10^{-4}$). On the other hand, the optical depth for gravitational microlensing caused by cosmologically distributed deflectors could be significant and could reach $10^{-2} - 0.1$ at $z\sim 2$. It means that cosmologically distributed deflectors may significantlly contribute to the X-ray variability of high-redshifted QSOs ($z>2$). Considering that upper limit of the optical depth ($τ\sim 0.1$) corresponds to the case when dark matter forms cosmologically distributed deflectors, therefore observations of X-ray variations of unlensend QSOs can be used for the estimation of the dark matter fraction of microlenses.

astro-ph↗

H II emission line region in LEDA 212995, a small neighboring galaxy of Mrk 1040

We present here new spectroscopic observations of Mrk 1040 and LEDA 212995 (Mrk 1040 companion) obtained with the Isaac Newton Telescope (INT). The intensity ratios and widths for the narrow emission lines found in LEDA 212995 are typical of H II regions. The red-shift (0.0169$\pm$0.00015) of the object derived from these emission lines is very close to the red-shift of Mrk 1040 (z=0.01665). The weak narrow and broad absorption lines were detected in the H$α$ wavelength band of LEDA 212995 spectra. These absorptions indicate that the companion might be at least partly obscured by Mrk 1040. Using this and previous observations we discuss the possible physical relationship between these two galaxies.

astro-ph↗

Integral Field Spectroscopy of Extended Lyman-alpha Emission from the DLA Galaxy in Q2233+131

This paper presents observations of an extended Lyman-alpha emission nebula surrounding the galaxy responsible for the Damped Lyman-alpha Absorption (DLA) line in the spectrum of the quasar Q2233+131. With the Potsdam Multi Aperture Spectrophotometer (PMAS) we measure the properties of the extended Ly-alpha emission in an area of 3"* 5" having a total line flux of (2.8+/-0.3)*10^{-16} erg cm-2 s-1, which at redshift z=3.15 corresponds to a luminosity of (2.4 -0.2/+0.3)*10^{43} erg s-1 and a size of 23 times 38 kpc. The location of the emission is spatially coincident with the previously detected DLA galaxy, but extends significantly beyond its limb. We argue that the Ly-alpha emission is likely to be caused by an outflow from the DLA galaxy, presumably powered by star formation. In the case of negligible dust extinction, the Ly-alpha luminosity indicates a star-formation rate of 19+/-10 solar masses per year consistent with that derived from the UV continuum flux from the parent galaxy. The wind velocity indicated by the integral field spectra is of the order of several hundred km s-1. We find no indication of emission originating in a rotating disk.

astro-ph↗

The Line Emission Region in III Zw 2: Kinematics and Variability

We have studied the Ly-al, Hbeta, Halpha and Mg II2798 line profiles of the Seyfert 1 galaxy III Zw 2. The shapes of these broad emission lines show evidence of a multicomponent origin and also features which may be identified as the peaks due to a rotating disk. We have proposed a two-component Broad Line Region (BLR) model consisting of an inner Keplerian relativistic disk and an outer structure surrounding the disk. The results of the fitting of the four Broad Emission Lines (BELs) here considered, are highly consistent in both the inner and outer component parameters. Adopting a mass of approx. 2 E8 sollar masses for the central object we found that the outer radius of the disk is approximately equal for the four considered lines (approx 0.01 pc). However, the inner radius of the disk is not the same: 0.0018 pc for Ly-alpha, 0.0027 pc for Mg II, and 0.0038 pc for the Balmer lines. This as well as the relatively broad component present in the blue wings of the narrow [OIII] lines indicate stratification in the emission-line region. Using long-term Hbeta observations (1972-1990, 1998) we found a flux variation of the BEL with respect to the [OIII] lines.

astro-ph↗

On the influence of Stark broadening on Si I lines in stellar atmospheres

We study the influence of Stark broadening and stratification effects on Siılines in the rapidly oscillating (roAp) star 10 Aql, where the Siı6142.48 Åand 6155.13 Ålines are asymmetrical and shifted. First we have calculated Stark broadening parameters using the semiclassical perturbation method for three Siılines: 5950.2 Å, 6142.48 Åand 6155.13 Å. We revised the synthetic sp$ calculation code taking into account both Stark width and shift for these lines. From the comparison of our calculations with the observations we found that Stark broadening + the stratification effect can explain asymmetry of the Siı6142.48 Åand 6155.13 Ålines in the atmospere of roAp star 10 Aql.

astro-ph↗

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

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.

astro-ph↗

The influence of microlensing on the shape of the AGN Fe K-alpha line

We study the influence of gravitational microlensing on the AGN Fe K-alpha line confirming that unexpected enhancements recently detected in the iron line of some AGNs can be produced by this effect. We use a ray tracing method to study the influence of microlensing in the emission coming from a compact accretion disc considering both geometries, Schwarzschild and Kerr. Thanks to the small dimensions of the region producing the AGN Fe K-alpha line, the Einstein Ring Radii associated to even very small compact objects have size comparable to the accretion disc hence producing noticeable changes in the line profiles. Asymmetrical enhancements contributing differently to the peaks or to the core of the line are produced by a microlens, off-centered with respect to the accretion disc. In the standard configuration of microlensing by a compact object in an intervening galaxy, we found that the effects on the iron line are two orders of magnitude larger than those expected in the optical or UV emission lines. In particular, microlensing can satisfactorily explain the excess in the iron line emission found very recently in two gravitational lens systems, H 1413+117 and MG J0414+0534. Exploring other physical {scenario} for microlensing, we found that compact objects (of the order of one Solar mass) which belong to {the bulge or the halo} of the host galaxy can also produce significant changes in the Fe K$_α$ line profile of an AGN. However, the optical depth estimated for this type of microlensing is {very small, $τ\sim 0.001$, even in a favorable case.

astro-ph↗

The Influence of Gravitational Microlensing on the Broad Emission Lines of Quasars

We discuss the effects of microlensing on the broad emission lines (BELs) of QSOs in the light of recent determinations of the size of the broad line region (BLR) and its scaling with QSO luminosity. Microlensing by star-sized objects can produce significant amplifications in the BEL of some multiple-imaged QSOs, and could be very relevant for high-ionization lines. We have identified a group of ten gravitational lens systems (30% of the selected sample) in which microlensing could be observed. Using standard kinematic models for AGNs, we have studied the changes induced in the line profile by a microlens located at different positions with respect to the center of the BLR. We found that microlensing could produce important effects such as the relative enhancement of different parts of the line profile or the displacement of the peak of the line. The study of BEL profiles of different ionization in a microlensed QSO image could be an alternative method for probing the BLR structure and size.

astro-ph↗

A programme for electron-impact broadening parameter calculations of ionized rare-earth element lines

In order to provide atomic data needed for astrophysical investigations, a set of electron-impact broadening parameters for ionized rare-earth element lines should be calculated. We are going to calculate the electron-impact broadening parameters for more than 50 transitions of ionized rare-earth elements. Taking into account that the spectra of these elements are very complex, for calculation we can use the modified semiempirical approach - MSE or simplified MSE. Also, we can estimate these parameters on the basis of regularities and systematic trends.

astro-ph↗