Anomalous Trends in Quasar Emission Lines with Accretion Disk Temperature
Abstract
We compare AGN emission-line properties with theoretical models of the ionizing continua of accretion disks. We infer the characteristic disk temperature from a sample of SDSS AGN based on bolometric luminosity and black hole mass. Observed emission-line intensities show only a slight trend of higher ionization with higher accretion disk temperature, much weaker than predicted. Observed equivalent widths of broad Hβ show a systematic decrease with disk temperature, in contrast to a predicted strong increase based on disk models. We discuss modified radial temperature profiles for the disk that give improved agreement with observation.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #219
- Pub Date:
- January 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012AAS...21915421S