AN X-RAY VIEW OF THE JET CYCLE IN THE RADIO-LOUD AGN 3C120

作者：Lohfink Anne M^*; Reynolds Christopher S; Jorstad Svetlana G; Marscher Alan P; Miller Eric D; Aller Hugh; Aller Margo F; Brenneman Laura W; Fabian Andrew C; Miller Jon M; Mushotzky Richard F; Nowak Michael A; Tombesi Francesco

来源：Astrophysical Journal, 2013, 772(2): 83.

DOI：10.1088/0004-637X/772/2/83

• black hole physics
• galaxies: individual (3C120)
• galaxies: jets
• galaxies: nuclei
• radio continuum: galaxies
• X-rays: galaxies

We present a study of the central engine in the broad-line radio galaxy 3C120 using a multi-epoch analysis of a deep XMM-Newton observation and two deep Suzaku pointings (in 2012). In order to place our spectral data into the context of the disk-disruption/jet-ejection cycles displayed by this object, we monitor the source in the UV/X-ray bands, and in the radio band. We find three statistically acceptable spectral models: a disk-reflection model, a jet model, and a jet+disk model. Despite being good descriptions of the data, the disk-reflection model violates the radio constraints on the inclination, and the jet model has a fine-tuning problem, requiring a jet contribution exceeding that expected. Thus, we argue for a composite jet+disk model. Within the context of this model, we verify the basic predictions of the jet-cycle paradigm, finding a truncated/refilling disk during the Suzaku observations and a complete disk extending down to the innermost stable circular orbit during the XMM-Newton observation. The idea of a refilling disk is further supported by the detection of the ejection of a new jet knot approximately one month after the Suzaku pointings. We also discover a step-like event in one of the Suzaku pointings in which the soft band lags the hard band. We suggest that we are witnessing the propagation of a disturbance from the disk into the jet on a timescale set by the magnetic field.

• 出版日期2013-8-1