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Radiation pattern and outflow geometry: A new probe of black hole spin

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Ishibashi, W 
Fabian, AC 
Reynolds, CS 

Abstract

We explore the impact of the central black hole (BH) spin on the large-scale properties of the host galaxy, by considering radiative feedback. The BH spin determines the radiation pattern from the accretion disc, which directly imprints on the geometry of the radiation-driven outflows. We show that for low BH spins, the emission is vertically focused, giving rise to polar/prolate outflows; while for high BH spins, the radiation pattern is more isotropic, leading to quasi-spherical/oblate outflows. Reversing the argument, we can potentially deduce the spin of the central BH from the observed morphology of galactic outflows. In principle, this may provide a novel way of constraining the central BH spin from galaxy-scale observations. Indeed, the BH spin can have significant macroscopic effects on galactic scales, ultimately shaping the large-scale feedback and the resulting obscuration.

Description

Keywords

black hole physics, relativistic processes, galaxies: active, galaxies: evolution

Journal Title

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0035-8711
1365-2966

Volume Title

486

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
Science and Technology Facilities Council (ST/R000867/1)
European Research Council (340442)
Science and Technology Facilities Council (ST/N000927/1)
Science and Technology Facilities Council (ST/S000623/1)