Nonthermal electron-positron pairs and cold matter in the central engines of active galactic nucleiThe nonthermal e(+/-) pair model of the central engine of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is discussed. The model assumes that nonthermal e(+/-) pairs are accelerated to highly relativistic energies in a compact region close to the central black hole and in the vicinity of some cold matter. The model has a small number of free parameters and explains a large body of AGN observations from EUV to soft gamma-rays. In particular, the model explains the existence of the UV bump, the soft X-rays excess, the canonical hard X-ray power law, the spectral hardening above about 10 keV, and some of the variability patterns in the soft and hard X-rays. In addition, the model explains the spectral steepening above about 50 keV seen in NGC 4151.
Document ID
19930045846
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Zdziarski, Andrzej A. (Polish Academy of Sciences, Astronomical Center Warsaw, Poland; NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: In: Testing the AGN paradigm; Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Topical Astrophysics Conference, Univ. of Maryland, College Park, Oct. 14-16, 1991 (A93-29801 11-90)