The Broad Fe K Line: The Key to Measuring Black Hole Spin

1
(No Transcript)
2
Clocking Super-Massive Black Hole Spin with
Accuracy
MCG6-30-15

• Observations by Suzaku unambiguously confirm the
  extremely broad Fe K line in MCG6-30-15
• We accurately quantify how far in the accretion
  disk reaches (lt 2 gravitational radii)
• The presence of a Kerr, or spinning, black hole
  is confirmed
• We measure the black hole spin parameter to be
  90 of maximum

3
Warped Space-Time Light-Bending Near the Black
Hole in MCG6-30-15

• Observationally confirm that space-time very
  close to the black hole is "warped", a key
  component in Einstein's General Relatively
• Light paths close to the black hole can be
  sharply curved photons traveling away from the
  accretion disk can be redirected onto the disk
• Confirmation made possible only via Suzakus
  broad energy coverage

4
Evidence for gravitational light bending around
the black hole in MCG6-30-15
Strong iron K line and disk reflection from
around a Kerr (spinning) black hole. No strong
variations in iron line - gravitational light
bending around a Kerr Black hole.
Suzaku lightcurve
Constant Reflection hump and iron line
5

Suzaku can measure the geometry of the accretion
disk
In MCG5-23-16, the disk is viewed at an
inclination angle of 50 degrees
In MCG6-30-15, the disk is viewed more face-on,
at an angle of 30 degrees
Edge-on Disk
Face-on Disk
6
Suzaku Black Hole Spin Measurements
MCG5-23-16 (no evidence for black hole spin)
MCG6-30-15 (spinning black hole)
7
Iron Line Emission From Multiple Regions of Gas
MCG -5-23-16
Narrow line
Broad line

• Suzaku has unambiguously measured the broad and
  narrow iron lines.
• Narrow line emission denotes (low velocity) gas,
  distant from the black hole, far from the region
  of extreme gravity
• X-ray emission is seen both from gas very close
  to the black hole and gas that is distant
• Confirms our picture of the geometry and
  accretion flow in AGN

8
XMM/Chandra
Suzaku
Suzakus Broad Bandpass
Absorption from outflow
?
X-ray Continuum
Iron K Line
Thermal Disk Emission?
Compton Reflection hump