Accretion Power in Astrophysics

Accretion Power in Astrophysics examines accretion as a source of energy in both binary star systems containing compact objects, and in active galactic nuclei. Assuming a basic knowledge of physics, the authors describe the physical processes at work in accretion discs and other accretion flows. The first three chapters explain why accretion is a source of energy, and then present the gas dynamics and plasma concepts necessary for astrophysical applications. The next three chapters then develop accretion in stellar systems, including accretion onto compact objects. Further chapters give extensive treatment of accretion in active galactic nuclei, and describe thick accretion discs. A new chapter discusses recently discovered accretion flow solutions. The third edition is greatly expanded and thoroughly updated. New material includes a detailed treatment of disc instabilities, irradiated discs, disc warping, and general accretion flows. The treatment is suitable for advanced undergraduates, graduate students and researchers.

Preface to the first edition

ix

Preface to the second edition

xi

Preface to the third edition

xiii

Accretion as a Source of Energy

1

(7)

Introduction

1

(1)

The Eddington limit

2

(3)

The emitted spectrum

5

(1)

Accretion theory and observation

6

(2)

Gas Dynamics

8

(15)

Introduction

8

(1)

The equations of gas dynamics

8

(3)

Steady adiabatic flows; isothermal flows

11

(1)

Sound waves

12

(2)

Steady, spherically symmetric accretion

14

(9)

Plasma Concepts

23

(25)

Introduction

23

(1)

Charge neutrality, plasma oscillations and the Debye length

23

(3)

Collisions

26

(4)

Thermal plasmas: relaxation time and mean free path

30

(2)

The stopping of fast particles by a plasma

32

(2)

Transport phenomena: viscosity

34

(3)

The effect of strong magnetic fields

37

(4)

Shock waves in plasmas

41

(7)

Accretion in Binary Systems

48

(32)

Introduction

48

(1)

Interacting binary systems

48

(1)

Roche lobe overflow

49

(5)

Roche geometry and binary evolution

54

(4)

Disc formation

58

(5)

Viscous torques

63

(6)

The magnitude of viscosity

69

(2)

Beyond the α-prescription

71

(2)

Accretion in close binaries: other possibilities

73

(7)

Accretion Discs

80

(72)

Introduction

80

(1)

Radial disc structure

80

(4)

Steady thin discs

84

(4)

The local structure of thin discs

88

(2)

The emitted spectrum

90

(3)

The structure of steady α-discs (the `standard model')

93

(5)

Steady discs: confrontation with observation

98

(12)

Time dependence and stability

110

(11)

Dwarf novae

121

(8)

Irradiated discs

129

(10)

Tides, resonances and superhumps

139

(9)

Discs around young stars

148

(2)

Spiral shocks

150

(2)

Accretion on to a Compact Object

152

(61)

Introduction

152

(1)

Boundary layers

152

(6)

Accretion on to magnetized neutron stars and white dwarfs

158

(16)

Accretion columns: the white dwarf case

174

(17)

Accretion column structure for neutron stars

191

(11)

X-ray bursters

202

(5)

Black holes

207

(2)

Accreting binary systems with compact components

209

(4)

Active Galactic Nuclei

213

(31)

Observations

213

(7)

The distances of active galaxies

220

(3)

The sizes of active galactic nuclei

223

(2)

The mass of the central source

225

(3)

Models of active galactic nuclei

228

(2)

The gas supply

230

(4)

Black holes

234

(4)

Accretion efficiency

238

(6)

Accretion Discs in Active Galactic Nuclei

244

(23)

The nature of the problem

244

(2)

Radio, millimetre and infrared emission

246

(1)

Optical, UV and X-ray emission

247

(3)

The broad and narrow, permitted and forbidden

250

(2)

The narrow line region

252

(3)

The broad line region

255

(10)

The stability of AGN discs

265

(2)

Accretion Power in Active Galactic Nuclei

267

(29)

Introduction

267

(1)

Extended radio sources

267

(5)

Compact radio sources

272

(6)

The nuclear continuum

278

(3)

Applications to discs

281

(4)

Magnetic fields

285

(2)

Newtonian electrodynamic discs

287

(2)

The Blandford-Znajek model

289

(3)

Circuit analysis of black hole power

292

(4)

Thick Discs

296

(23)

Introduction

296

(2)

Equilibrium figures

298

(5)

The limiting luminosity

303

(3)

Newtonian vorticity-free torus

306

(3)

Thick accretion discs

309

(5)

Dynamical stability

314

(2)

Astrophysical implications

316

(3)

Accretion Flows

319

(26)

Introduction

319

(1)

The equations

320

(3)

Verticaly integrated equations - slim discs

323

(2)

A unified description of steady accretion flows

325

(6)

Stability

331

(2)

Optically thin ADAFs - similarity solutions

333

(1)

Astrophysical applications

334

(3)

Caveats and alternatives

337

(5)

Epilogue

342

(3)

Appendix Radiation processes

345

(5)

Problems

350

(16)

Bibliography

366

(14)

Index

380

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Accretion Power in Astrophysics

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Table of Contents

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