The Lorentz factor distribution and luminosity function of relativistic jets in AGNs

TL;DR

This paper uses a maximum likelihood approach to accurately determine the intrinsic luminosity function and Lorentz factor distribution of AGN jets, confirming previous assumptions and revealing population differences at various redshifts.

Contribution

It introduces a more precise method for estimating intrinsic jet properties and validates assumptions about luminosity functions in AGNs.

Findings

Best estimated parameters align with previous results, but with improved accuracy.

The observed luminosity function of Fanaroff-Riley type II galaxies matches the intrinsic luminosity function of radio loud quasars.

Low and high redshift AGN groups likely originate from different parent populations.

Abstract

The observed apparent velocities and luminosities of the relativistic jets in AGNs are significantly different from their intrinsic values due to strong special relativistic effects. We adopt the maximum likelihood method to determine simultaneously the intrinsic luminosity function and the Lorentz factor distribution of a sample of AGNs. The values of the best estimated parameters are consistent with the previous results, but with much better accuracy. In previous study, it was assumed that the shape of the observed luminosity function of Fanaroff-Riley type II radio galaxies is the same with the intrinsic luminosity function of radio loud quasars. Our results prove the validity of this assumption. We also find that low and high redshift groups divided by z=0.1 are likely to be from different parent populations.