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X-ray bumps, iron K-alpha lines, and X-ray suppression by obscuring tori in Seyfert galaxiesWe investigate the X-ray spectral properties of unobscured type 1 and obscured type 2 Seyferts as predicted by the unified Seyfert scheme. We consider the reprocessing of X-ray photons by photoelectric absorption, iron fluorescence, and Compton downscattering in the obscuring tori surrounding these active nuclei, and compute by Monte Carlo methods the reprocessed spectra as a function of the viewing angle. Depending on the optical depth and shape of the torus, and on the viewing angle, the X-ray flux can be suppressed by substantial factors when our line of sight is obscured. We show that an immediate consequence of the existence of an obscuring thick torus is the production in the spectra of type 1 Seyfert galaxies of a bump in the continuum above 10-20 keV and an Fe K-alpha line with significant equivalent width. In those type 2 Seyferts for which the hard X-ray spectrum has been substantially suppressed, the equivalent width of the Fe K-alpha line in the transmitted spectrum can be very large.
Document ID
19950035373
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Krolik, Julian H.
(Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD, United States)
Madau, Piero
(Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, MD United States)
Zycki, Piotr T.
(Observatoire de Paris-Meudon Meudon, France)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
January 10, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 2 - Letters
Volume: 420
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
95A66972
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-3129
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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