In some radio-quiet active galaxies (AGN), high-energy absorption features in the x-ray spectra have been interpreted as Ultrafast Outflows (UFOs) -- highly ionised material (e.g. Fe XXV and Fe XXVI) ejected at mildly relativistic velocities. In some
cases, these outflows can carry energy in excess of the binding energy of the host galaxy. Needless to say, these features demand our attention as they are strong signatures of AGN feedback and will influence galaxy evolution. For the same reason, alternative models need to be discussed and refuted or confirmed. Gallo & Fabian proposed that some of these features could arise from resonance absorption of the reflected spectrum in a layer of ionised material located above and corotating with the accretion disc. Therefore, the absorbing medium would be subjected to similar blurring effects as seen in the disc. A priori, the existence of such plasma above the disc is as plausible as a fast wind. In this work, we highlight the ambiguity by demonstrating that the absorption model can describe the ~7.6 keV absorption feature (and possibly other features) in the quasar PG 1211+143, an AGN that is often described as a classic example of an UFO. In this model, the 2-10 keV spectrum would be largely reflection dominated (as opposed to power law dominated in the wind models) and the resonance absorption would be originating in a layer between about 6 and 60 gravitational radii. The studies of such features constitutes a cornerstone for future X-ray observatories like Astro-H and Athena+. Should our model prove correct, or at least important in some cases, then absorption will provide another diagnostic tool with which to probe the inner accretion flow with future missions.
We present an analysis of the 2-10 keV X-ray emission associated with the active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs). Our sample consists of 32 BCGs that lie in highly X-ray luminous cluster of galaxies (L_X-ray (0.1-2.4 keV)
> 3*10^44 erg/s) in which AGN-jetted outflows are creating and sustaining clear Xray cavities. Our sample covers the redshift range 0 < z < 0.6 and reveals strong evolution in the nuclear X-ray luminosities, such that the black holes in these systems have become on average at least 10 times fainter over the last 5 Gyrs. Mindful of potential selection effects, we propose two possible scenarios to explain our results: 1) either that the AGNs in BCGs with X-ray cavities are steadily becoming fainter, or more likely, 2) that the fraction of these BCGs with radiatively efficient nuclei is decreasing with time from roughly 60 per cent at z=0.6 to 30 per cent at z=0.1. Based on this strong evolution, we predict that a significant fraction of BCGs in z=1 clusters may host quasars at their centres, potentially complicating the search for such clusters at high redshift. In analogy with black-hole binaries and based on the observed Eddington ratios of our sources, we further propose that the evolving AGN population in BCGs with X-ray cavities may be transiting from a canonical low/hard state, analogous to that of X-ray binaries, to a quiescent state over the last 5 Gyrs.
We investigate the levels of small scale structure in surface brightness images of the core of the X-ray bright cool-core galaxy cluster AWM 7. After subtraction of a model of the smooth cluster emission, we find a number of approximately radial surf
ace brightness depressions which are not present in simulated images and are seen in both the Chandra and XMM-Newton data. The depressions are most strongly seen in the south of the cluster and have a magnitude of around 4 per cent in surface brightness. We see these features in both an energy band sensitive to the density (0.6 to 5 keV) and a band more sensitive to the pressure (3.5 to 7.5 keV). Histograms of surface brightness in the data, when compared to realisations of a smooth model, reveal stronger surface brightness variations. We use the Delta-variance technique to characterise the magnitude of the fluctuations as a function of length scale. We find that the spectrum in the 0.6 to 5 keV band is flatter than expected for Kolmogorov index fluctuations. If characterised by a power spectrum, on large scales it would have an index around -1.7, rather than -3.7. The implied 3D density fluctuations have a standard deviation of around 4 per cent. The implied 3D pressure variations are at most 4 per cent. Most of the longer-scale power in the density spectrum is contributed by the southern half of the cluster, where the depressions are seen. The density variations implied by the spectrum of the northern sector have a standard deviation of about 2 per cent.
Narrow absorption lines seen in the 2-10 keV spectra of active galaxies and Galactic black holes are normally attributed to iron in high velocity outflows or inflows. We consider the possibility that such features could arise naturally in the accreti
on disc. Resonant absorption by highly ionised iron (e.g. Fe XXVI and Fe XXV) in an optically-thin plasma that is located above the disc and rotating with it could reproduce narrow features in the reflection component of the spectrum as it emerges from the disc. Depending on the inclination of the disc and the exact geometry of the hot plasma (e.g. does it blanket the disc or a ring) apparently narrow absorption features could be detected between 4-10 keV. Such an explanation requires no high velocity outflow/inflow and is consistent with a reflection-based interpretation for accreting black holes systems.
The calculation of mass outflow rates of AGN winds is of great importance in understanding the role that such winds play in AGN-galaxy feedback processes. The mass outflow rates are, however, difficult to estimate since the volume filling factors of
the winds are unknown. In this paper, we use constraints imposed by the observed radio emission to obtain upper limits to the volume filling factors of wind components in certain nearby AGN. We do this by predicting the 1.4 GHz radio flux densities emitted by those components, assuming a uniform wind, and then comparing these with the observed flux densities for each AGN at this frequency. We find that the upper limits to the volume filling factors are in the range 10^{-4}-0.5.
