# Ionised Accretion Discs in Active Galactic Nuclei: The Effects of a Lamppost with a Variable Height

## TL;DR

This paper derives a new formula to predict the ionisation parameter of accretion discs in AGNs irradiated by a variable-height lamppost corona, revealing a strong ionisation gradient and a dynamic corona behavior.

## Contribution

A novel, mass- and spectrum-independent formula for ionisation in AGN accretion discs accounting for light-bending and variable corona height.

## Key findings

- Ionisation parameter increases with Eddington ratio as λ^3.
- Predicted ionisation gradient depends on black hole spin and lamppost height.
- Observed data supports a variable, dynamic corona with height proportional to λ^0.5-0.6.

## Abstract

The X-ray emitting corona irradiates and ionises the surface of the inner accretion disc in Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs). The ionisation parameter of the inner disc at a radius $r$ from the black hole, $\xi(r)$, can be used to infer information about the location of the corona. Here, a new formula is derived that predicts $\xi(r,h)$ for a disc irradiated by a X-ray source at a height $h$ above the black hole symmetry axis (i.e., a lamppost geometry). The equation is independent of the black hole mass and the X-ray spectrum, and accounts for the effects of gravitational light-bending on the ionisation state and a variable coronal dissipation factor. We predict a strong ionisation gradient across the surface of the inner disc that depends on the black hole spin and lamppost height. For a fixed $h$, the ionisation parameter is also expected to increase as $\lambda^3$, where $\lambda$ is the observed bolometric Eddington ratio of the AGN. Comparing this formula to the observed $\xi$-$\lambda$ relationship for Mrk 335 yields $h \propto \lambda^{0.5-0.6}$, supporting the view of a dynamic X-ray corona in AGNs.