Rimmed and Rippled Accretion Disc Models to Explain AGN Continuum Lags

TL;DR

This paper introduces a model with rimmed and rippled accretion disc structures irradiated by a lamp-post to explain the larger-than-expected AGN continuum lags and spectral energy distribution, especially in NGC 5548.

Contribution

It presents a novel accretion disc model incorporating steep rims or ripples to reconcile observed continuum lags with theoretical predictions.

Findings

Steep rim or ripple structures increase optical lags to match observations.

Most of the disc maintains a standard temperature profile consistent with spectral data.

The model suggests possible marginal gravitational instability in the disc.

Abstract

We propose a solution to the problem of accretion disc sizes in active galactic nuclei being larger when measured by reverberation mapping than predicted by theory. Considering blackbody reprocessing on a disc with thickness profile $H(r)$, our solution invokes a steep rim or rippled structures irradiated by the central lamp-post. We model the continuum lags and the faint and bright disc spectral energy distribution (SED) in the best-studied case NGC 5548 (black hole mass $M = 7\times10^{7} M_\odot$, disc inclination $i=45^\circ$). With the lamp-post off, the observed disc SED requires a low accretion rate ($\dot{M} \sim 0.0014 M_\odot$/yr) and high prograde black hole spin ($a \sim 0.93$). Reprocessing on the thin disc gives time lags increasing with wavelength but 3 times smaller than observed. Introducing a steep $H(r)$ rim, or multiple crests, near $r = 5$ light days, reprocessing on their steep centre-facing slopes increases temperatures from $\sim1500$ K to $\sim6000$ K and this increases optical lags to match the lag data. Most of the disc surface maintains the cooler $T\propto r^{-3/4}$ temperature profile that matches the SED. The bright lamp-post may be powered by magnetic links tapping the black hole spin. The steep rim occurs near the sublimation radius for dust in the disc, as in the "failed disc wind model" for broad-line clouds. Lens-Thirring torques aligning the disc and black hole spin may also raise a warp and associated waves. In both scenarios, the small density scale height implied by the inferred value of $H(r)$ suggests possible marginal gravitational instability in the disc.