Probing the disk-jet coupling in M87

TL;DR

This study uses advanced 3D GRMHD simulations with thermal and nonthermal electrons to explain the observed frequency-dependent ring size in M87, highlighting the role of disk-jet coupling and MAD events.

Contribution

It demonstrates that combined thermal and nonthermal emission modeling in 3D GRMHD simulations can account for the observed ring size variations in M87 across frequencies.

Findings

The 86 GHz ring is larger than the 230 GHz ring due to synchrotron self-absorption.

Emission from both the accretion disk and jet footpoints influences ring size.

MAD events can significantly increase the ring size at lower frequencies.

Abstract

Context. Recent GMVA observations of M 87 at event horizon scales revealed a ring-like structure which is 50% larger at 86 GHz than the ring observed by the Event Horizon Telescope at 230 GHz. Aims. In this paper, we study a possible origin of the increased ring size at 86 GHz. We specifically aim to study the role the nonthermal electron population plays in the observed event horizon scales. Methods. We carry out 3D general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations followed by radiative transfer calculations. We incorporate into the latter synchrotron emission from both thermal and nonthermal electrons. To better compare our results to observations, we generate synthetic interferometric data adjusted to the properties of the observing arrays. We fit geometrical models to this data in Fourier space through Bayesian analysis to monitor the variable ring size and width over the simulated time span of years. Results. We find that the 86 GHz ring is always larger than the 230 GHz ring, which can be explained by the increased synchrotron self-absorption at 86 GHz and the mixed emission from both the accretion disk and the jet footpoints, as well as flux arcs ejected from a magnetized disk. We find agreement with the observations, particularly within the error range of the observational value of M/D for M 87. Conclusions. We show that state-of-the art 3D GRMHD simulations combined with thermal and nonthermal emitting particles can explain the observed frequency-dependent ring size in M 87. Importantly we found that MAD events triggered in the accretion disk can significantly increase the lower frequency ring sizes.