Abstract
We consider the reflection of non-polarized radiation from the point-like sources above the accretion discs both the optically thick and optically thin. We investigate the dependence of the polarization of reflected radiation on the aperture angle of incident radiation. The aperture angle is determined by the radius of accretion disc and the height of the source above the disc. For optically thick accretion discs we show that, if the aperture angle is smaller 70 grad, then the wave electric field oscillations of reflected radiation are parallel to the accretion disc plane. For aperture angle greater than 70 grad the electric field oscillations are parallel to the plane “normal to accretion disc—the line of sight”. The latter also holds for reflection from the optically thin accretion disc independent of the aperture angle value.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Blandford, R.D.: Lecture Notes of Saas-Fee Courses, Geneva Observatory, XII. Springer, Heidelberg (1990), 280 pp.
Blandford, R.D.: AGN jets. In: Collin, S., Combes, F., Shlosman, I. (eds.) Active Galactic Nuclei: From Central Engine to Host Galaxy. ASP Conference Series, vol. 290, p. 267 (2003)
Blandford, R.D., Konigle, A.: Astrophys. J. 232, 34 (1979)
Chandrasekhar, S.: Radiative Transfer. Dover, New York (1960)
Cherepashchuk, A.M.: Publ. Obs. Astron. Belgr. 80, 3 (2006)
Fabian, A.C., Zoghbi, A., Ross, R.R., et al.: Nature 459, 540 (2009a)
Fabian, A.C., Zoghbi, A., Ross, R.R., et al.: arXiv:0905.4383v1 (2009b)
Fabrika, S.: Astrophys. Space Phys. Rev. 12, 1–100 (2004)
Goodrich, R.W., Miller, J.S.: Astrophys. J. 434, 82 (1994)
Grinin, V.P., Domke, H.: Astrophysics 7, 211 (1971)
Hawley, J.F., Beckwith, K., Krolik, J.H.: Astrophys. Space Sci. 311, 117 (2007)
Hubeny, I., Hubeny, V.: Astrophys. J. 484, L37 (1997)
Impey, C.D., Lawrence, C.R., Tapia, S.: Astrophys. J. 375, 46 (1991)
Ivanov, V.V.: Astron. Astrophys. 303, 609 (1995)
Krivosheyev, Yu.M., Bisnovatyi-Kogan, G.S., Cherepashchuk, A.M., Postnov, K.A.: Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 394, 1674 (2009)
Marin, F.: Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 441, 551 (2014)
Novikov, I.D., Thorne, K.S.: In: de Witt, C., de Witt, B. (eds.) Black Hole Astrophysics. Gordon & Breach, New York (1973)
Pariev, V.I., Colgate, S.A.: Astrophys. J. 658, 114 (2007)
Riffert, H., Harold, H.: Astrophys. J. 450, 508 (1995)
Shakura, N.I., Sunyaev, R.A.: Astron. Astrophys. 24, 337 (1973)
Silant’ev, N.A., Gnedin, Yu.N.: Astron. Astrophys. 481, 217 (2008)
Silant’ev, N.A., Alekseeva, G.A., Novikov, V.V.: Astrophys. Space Sci. 357, 53 (2015)
Silant’ev, N.A., Alekseeva, G.A., Novikov, V.V.: Astrophys. Space Sci. 362, 151 (2017)
Smirnov, V.I.: The Course of Higher Mathematics, Vol. 4. Integral Equations and Partial Differential Equations. Pergamon Press, New York (1964)
Smith, J.E., Young, S., Robinson, A., Corbett, E.A., Giannuzzo, M.E., Axon, D.J., Hough, J.H.: Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 335, 773 (2002)
Smith, J.E., Robinson, A., Alexander, D.M., Young, S., Axon, D.J., Corbett, E.A.: Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 350, 140 (2004)
Sobolev, V.V.: A Treatise on Radiative Transfer. Van Nostrand, Princeton (1963)
Sobolev, V.V.: Course in theoretical astrophysics. NASA Technical Translation F-531, Washington (1969)
Urpin, V.A.: Astrophys. Space Sci. 90, 79 (1983)
Zoghbi, A., Fabian, A.C.: Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 418, 2542 (2011)
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the Program of Presidium of Russian Academy of Sciences N 28.
We are very grateful to a referee for a number of useful remarks and advices.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Silant’ev, N.A., Alekseeva, G.A. & Novikov, V.V. Intensity and polarization of radiation reflected from accretion disc. Astrophys Space Sci 363, 155 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10509-018-3376-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10509-018-3376-0