Magnetic Flare Model of Quasars and Active Galactic Nuclei: Magnetized Accretion Disk around a Massive Black Hole

Abstract

As a model of quasars and active galactic nuclei, we present the magnetic flare model which clarifies the connection between the primary energy source and the non-thermal phenomena. The behavior of the magnetic field generated in the accretion disk around a massive black hole is investigated in terms of the αω-dynamo and the magnetic buoyancy. The magnetic field is reponsible not only for the angular momentum transfer but also for the vertical energy transfer owing to the magnetic buoyancy. Magnetic energy thus transferred should be released in the coronal region above the disk surface through its flare-like reconnection as in the solar flare. We expect that it will produce a variety of non-thermal activities characteristic to quasars and active galactic nuclei. We argue that the following scenario is compatible with various observations: A flare generates the relativistic shock behind which electrons are heated up to the relativistic energy. Subsequently, they produce X and γ rays by the inverse Compton scattering of low energy photons as well as emit from radio up to soft X photons by the synchrotron radiation.