Study of Accretion processes Around Black Holes becomes Science: Tell Tale Observational Signatures of Two Component Advective Flows

TL;DR

This paper discusses how accretion flows around black holes, characterized by multiple sonic points and shocks, explain observed spectral and temporal features, including QPOs and jet formations, validated by simulations and observations.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive model of two-component advective flows with multiple sonic points and shocks, linking theoretical predictions to observed black hole phenomena.

Findings

Spectral properties match satellite observations.

Different QPO types are explained by shock oscillations.

Jets originate from the post-shock CENBOL region.

Abstract

An accretion flow around a black hole has a saddle type sonic point just outside the event horizon to guarantee that the flow enters the black hole supersonically. This feature exclusively present in strong gravity limit makes its marks in every observation of black hole candidates. Another physical sonic point is present (as in a Bondi flow) even in weak gravity. Every aspect of spectral or temporal properties of every black hole can be understood using this transonic or advective flow having more than one saddle type points. This most well known and generalized solution with viscosity and radiative transfer has been verified by numerical simulations also. Spectra, computed for various combinations of the standard Keplerian, and advective sub-Keplerian components match accurately with those from satellite observations. Standing, oscillating and propagatory oscillating shocks are produced due to centrifugal barrier of the advective component. The post-shock region acts as the Compton cloud producing the power-law spectra. Jets and outflows are also produced from this post-shock region, commonly known as the CENtrifugal barrier supported BOundary Layer or CENBOL. In soft states, the CENBOL is cooled down by soft photons from the Keplerian disk, and thus the outflow is absent. Type-C and Type-B QPOs are generated respectively due to strong and weak resonance oscillations of the CENBOL. Away from resonance, oscillation may be triggered when Rankine-Hugoniot conditions are not satisfied and Type-A QPOs could be seen.