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Julien Malzac

Bio: Julien Malzac is an academic researcher from University of Toulouse. The author has contributed to research in topics: Active galactic nucleus & Accretion (astrophysics). The author has an hindex of 31, co-authored 121 publications receiving 2792 citations. Previous affiliations of Julien Malzac include Centre national de la recherche scientifique & Hoffmann-La Roche.


Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
04 Jul 2014-Science
TL;DR: A multiwavelength monitoring campaign throughout 2013 suggests that an additional faster jet component has been launching clumps of gas that obscure both the x-ray and UV radiation in NGC 5548, and suggests that the outflow could be associated with a wind from the supermassive black hole's accretion disk.
Abstract: Supermassive black holes in the nuclei of active galaxies expel large amounts of matter through powerful winds of ionized gas. The archetypal active galaxy NGC 5548 has been studied for decades, and high-resolution x-ray and ultraviolet (UV) observations have previously shown a persistent ionized outflow. An observing campaign in 2013 with six space observatories shows the nucleus to be obscured by a long-lasting, clumpy stream of ionized gas not seen before. It blocks 90% of the soft x-ray emission and causes simultaneous deep, broad UV absorption troughs. The outflow velocities of this gas are up to five times faster than those in the persistent outflow, and, at a distance of only a few light days from the nucleus, it may likely originate from the accretion disk.

251 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compute the X-ray spectra produced by non-static coronae atop accretion discs around black holes and neutron stars, and show that an outflowing corona reproduces the hard-state spectrum of Cyg X-1 and similar objects.
Abstract: We compute the X-ray spectra produced by non-static coronae atop accretion discs around black holes and neutron stars. The hot corona is radiatively coupled to the underlying disc (the reflector) and generates an X-ray spectrum which is sensitive to the bulk velocity of the coronal plasma, β=v/c. We show that an outflowing corona reproduces the hard-state spectrum of Cyg X-1 and similar objects. The dynamic model predicts a correlation between the observed amplitude of reflection R and the X-ray spectrum slope Γ since both strongly depend on β. A similar correlation was observed and its shape was well fitted by the dynamic model. The scattering of soft radiation in an outflowing corona can also account for the observed optical–UV polarization pattern in active galactic nuclei.

170 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The detection of the black hole binary GX 339-4 with the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) during a very bright, hard accretion state in 2010 is reported, finding clear spectral curvature in the infrared, associated with the peak flux density expected from the compact jet.
Abstract: Many X-ray binaries remain undetected in the mid-infrared, a regime where emission from their compact jets is likely to dominate. Here, we report the detection of the black hole binary GX 339-4 with the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) during a very bright, hard accretion state in 2010. Combined with a rich contemporaneous multiwavelength dataset, clear spectral curvature is found in the infrared, associated with the peak flux density expected from the compact jet. An optically-thin slope of ~-0.7 and a jet radiative power of >6x10^{35} erg/s (d/8 kpc)^2 are measured. A ~24 h WISE light curve shows dramatic variations in mid-infrared spectral slope on timescales at least as short as the satellite orbital period ~95 mins. There is also significant change during one pair of observations spaced by only 11 s. These variations imply that the spectral break associated with the transition from self-absorbed to optically-thin jet synchrotron radiation must be varying across the full wavelength range of ~3-22 microns that WISE is sensitive to, and more. Based on four-band simultaneous mid-infrared detections, the break lies at ~5x10^{13} Hz in at least two epochs of observation, consistent with a magnetic field B~1.5x10^4 G assuming a single-zone synchrotron emission region. The observed variability implies that either B, or the size of the acceleration zone above the jet base, are being modulated by factors of ~10 on relatively-short timescales.

139 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used a thermal Comptonization model for the soft X-ray excess of the bright Seyfert 1 Mrk 509 galaxy, which was observed by XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL in October/November 2009.
Abstract: The origin of the different spectral components present in the high-energy (UV to X-rays/gamma-rays) spectra of Seyfert galaxies is still being debated a lot. One of the major limitations, in this respect, is the lack of really simultaneous broad-band observations that allow us to disentangle the behavior of each component and to better constrain their interconnections. The simultaneous UV to X-rays/gamma rays data obtained during the multiwavelength campaign on the bright Seyfert 1 Mrk 509 are used in this paper and tested against physically motivated broad band models. Mrk 509 was observed by XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL in October/November 2009, with one observation every four days for a total of ten observations. Each observation has been fitted with a realistic thermal Comptonization model for the continuum emission. Prompted by the correlation between the UV and soft X-ray flux, we used a thermal Comptonization component for the soft X-ray excess. We also included a warm absorber and a reflection component, as required by the precise studies previously done by our consortium. The UV to X-ray/gamma-ray emission of Mrk 509 can be well fitted by these components. The presence of a relatively hard high-energy spectrum points to the existence of a hot (kT ∼ 100 keV), optically-thin (τ ∼ 0.5) corona producing the primary continuum. In contrast, the soft X-ray component requires a warm (kT ∼ 1 keV), optically-thick (τ ∼ 10−20) plasma. Estimates of the amplification ratio for this warm plasma support a configuration relatively close to the “theoretical” configuration of a slab corona above a passive disk. An interesting consequence is the weak luminosity-dependence of its emission, which is a possible explanation of the roughly constant spectral shape of the soft X-ray excess seen in AGNs. The temperature (∼ 3e V) and fl ux of the soft-photon field entering and cooling the warm plasma suggests that it covers the accretion disk down to a transition radius Rin of 10−20 Rg. This plasma could be the warm upper layer of the accretion disk. In contrast, the hot corona has a more photon-starved geometry. The high temperature (∼100 eV) of the soft-photon field entering and cooling it favors a localization of the hot corona in the inner flow. This soft-photon field could be part of the comptonized emission produced by the warm plasma. In this framework, the change in the geometry (i.e. Rin) could explain most of the observed flux and spectral variability.

118 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of synchrotron self-absorption on the Comptonizing electron distribution in the magnetized corona of accreting black holes are studied. But the authors assume that power is supplied to the coronal electrons through Coulomb collisions with a population of hot protons and/or through the injection of non-thermal energetic electrons by some unspecified acceleration process.
Abstract: We discuss the origin of the very different hard X-ray spectral shapes observed in the low hard state (LHS) and high soft state (HSS) of accreting black holes. We study the effects of synchrotron self-absorption on the Comptonizing electron distribution in the magnetized corona of accreting black holes. We solve the kinetic equations assuming that power is supplied to the coronal electrons through Coulomb collisions with a population of hot protons and/or through the injection of non-thermal energetic electrons by some unspecified acceleration process. We compute numerically the steady state particle distributions and escaping photon spectra. These numerical simulations confirm that synchrotron self-absorption, together with e-e Coulomb collision constitute an efficient thermalizing mechanism for the coronal electrons. When compared to the data they allow us to constrain the magnetic field and temperature of the hot protons in the corona independently of any dynamical accretion flow model or geometry. A preliminary comparison with the LHS spectrum of Cygnus X- 1 indicates a magnetic field below equipartition with radiation, suggesting that the corona is not powered through magnetic field dissipation (as assumed in most accretion disc corona models). However, in the LHS of Cygnus X-1 and other sources, our results also point towards proton temperatures lower than 3 x 10 10 K, i.e. substantially lower than typical temperatures of the ADAF-like models. In contrast, in the HSS both the proton temperature and magnetic field could be much higher. We also show that in both spectral states the magnetized corona could be powered essentially through acceleration of non-thermal particles. Therefore, contrary to current beliefs, energy dissipation processes in the corona of the HSS and that of the LHS could be of very similar nature. The main differences between the LHS and HSS coronal emission can then be understood as the consequence of the much stronger radiative cooling in the HSS caused by the soft thermal radiation coming from the geometrically thin accretion disc. In the LHS the soft cooling photon flux is much weaker because the accretion disc is either truncated at large distances from the black hole, or much colder than in the HSS.

112 citations


Cited by
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15 Mar 1979
TL;DR: In this article, the experimental estimation of parameters for models can be solved through use of the likelihood ratio test, with particular attention to photon counting experiments, and procedures presented solve a greater range of problems than those currently in use, yet are no more difficult to apply.
Abstract: Many problems in the experimental estimation of parameters for models can be solved through use of the likelihood ratio test. Applications of the likelihood ratio, with particular attention to photon counting experiments, are discussed. The procedures presented solve a greater range of problems than those currently in use, yet are no more difficult to apply. The procedures are proved analytically, and examples from current problems in astronomy are discussed.

1,748 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors classified the hot accretion flows into two broad classes: cold and hot, and showed that hot flows are associated with jets and strong winds, and that they are present in low-luminosity active galactic nuclei and in black hole X-ray binaries in the hard and quiescent states.
Abstract: Black hole accretion flows can be divided into two broad classes: cold and hot. Whereas cold accretion flows consist of cool optically thick gas and are found at relatively high mass accretion rates, hot accretion flows, the topic of this review, are virially hot and optically thin, and occur at lower mass accretion rates. They are described by accretion solutions such as the advection-dominated accretion flow and luminous hot accretion flow. Because of energy advection, the radiative efficiency of these flows is in general lower than that of a standard thin accretion disk. Moreover, the efficiency decreases with decreasing mass accretion rate. Observations show that hot accretion flows are associated with jets. In addition, theoretical arguments suggest that hot flows should produce strong winds. Hot accretion flows are believed to be present in low-luminosity active galactic nuclei and in black hole X-ray binaries in the hard and quiescent states. The prototype is Sgr A*, the ultralow-luminosity supermassive black hole at our Galactic center. The jet, wind, and radiation from a supermassive black hole with a hot accretion flow can interact with the external interstellar medium and modify the evolution of the host galaxy.

1,270 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe new optically thin solutions for rotating accretion flows around black holes and neutron stars, which are advection dominated, so that most of the viscously dissipated energy is advected radially with the flow.
Abstract: We describe new optically thin solutions for rotating accretion flows around black holes and neutron stars. These solutions are advection dominated, so that most of the viscously dissipated energy is advected radially with the flow. We model the accreting gas as a two temperature plasma and include cooling by bremsstrahlung, synchrotron, and Comptonization. We obtain electron temperatures $T_e\sim 10^{8.5}-10^{10}$K. The new solutions are present only for mass accretion rates $\dot M$ less than a critical rate $\dot M_{crit}$ which we calculate as a function of radius $R$ and viscosity parameter $\alpha$. For $\dot M<\dot M_{crit}$ we show that there are three equilibrium branches of solutions. One of the branches corresponds to a cool optically thick flow which is the well-known thin disk solution of Shakura \& Sunyaev (1973). Another branch corresponds to a hot optically thin flow, discovered originally by Shapiro, Lightman \& Eardley (1976, SLE). This solution is thermally unstable. The third branch corresponds to our new advection-dominated solution. This solution is hotter and more optically thin than the SLE solution, but is viscously and thermally stable. It is related to the ion torus model of Rees et al. (1982) and may potentially explain the hard X-ray and $\gamma$-ray emission from X-ray binaries and active galactic nuclei.

1,088 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors consider a model where a standard outer accretion disc is truncated at low luminosities, being replaced by a hot, inner flow which also acts as the launching site of the jet.
Abstract: We review how the recent increase in X-ray and radio data from black hole and neutron star binaries can be merged together with theoretical advances to give a coherent picture of the physics of the accretion flow in strong gravity. Both long term X-ray light curves, X-ray spectra, the rapid X-ray variability and the radio jet behaviour are consistent with a model where a standard outer accretion disc is truncated at low luminosities, being replaced by a hot, inner flow which also acts as the launching site of the jet. Decreasing the disc truncation radius leads to softer spectra, as well as higher frequencies (including quasi periodic oscillations, QPOs) in the power spectra, and a faster jet. The collapse of the hot flow when the disc reaches the last stable orbit triggers the dramatic decrease in radio flux, as well as giving a qualitative (and often quantitative) explanation for the major hard–soft spectral transition seen in black holes. The neutron stars are also consistent with the same models, but with an additional component due to their surface, giving implicit evidence for the event horizon in black holes. We review claims of observational data which conflict with this picture, but show that these can also be consistent with the truncated disc model. We also review suggested alternative models for the accretion flow which do not involve a truncated disc. The most successful of these converge on a similar geometry, where there is a transition at some radius larger than the last stable orbit between a standard disc and an inner, jet dominated region, with the X-ray source associated with a mildly relativistic outflow, beamed away from the disc. However, the observed uniformity of properties between black holes at different inclinations suggests that even weak beaming of the X-ray emission may be constrained by the data. After collapse of the hot inner flow, the spectrum in black hole systems can be dominated by the disc emission. Its behaviour is consistent with the existence of a last stable orbit, and such data can be used to estimate the black hole spin. By contrast, these systems can also show very different spectra at these high luminosities, in which the disc spectrum (and probably structure) is strongly distorted by Comptonization. The structure of the accretion flow becomes increasingly uncertain as the luminosity approaches (and exceeds) the Eddington luminosity, though there is growing evidence that winds may play an important role. We stress that these high Eddington fraction flows are key to understanding many disparate and currently very active fields such as ULX, Narrow Line Seyfert 1’s, and the growth of the first black holes in the Early Universe.

1,033 citations

01 Dec 1998
TL;DR: The International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL) as mentioned in this paper is dedicated to the fine spectroscopy (2.5 − 1.5 ) and fine imaging (angular resolution: 12 arcmin FWHM) of celestial gamma-ray sources in the energy range 15 − 10 − MeV with concurrent source monitoring in the X-ray ($3 − 35 ) and optical (V -band, 550 −nm) energy ranges.
Abstract: The ESA observatory INTEGRAL (International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory) is dedicated to the fine spectroscopy (2.5 keV FWHM @ 1 MeV) and fine imaging (angular resolution: 12 arcmin FWHM) of celestial gamma-ray sources in the energy range 15 keV to 10 MeV with concurrent source monitoring in the X-ray ($3{-}35$ keV) and optical ( V -band, 550 nm) energy ranges. INTEGRAL carries two main gamma-ray instruments, the spectrometer SPI (Vedrenne et al. [CITE]) – optimized for the high-resolution gamma-ray line spectroscopy (20 keV–8 MeV), and the imager IBIS (Ubertini et al. [CITE]) – optimized for high-angular resolution imaging (15 keV–10 MeV). Two monitors, JEM-X (Lund et al. [CITE]) in the ($3{-}35$) keV X-ray band, and OMC (Mas-Hesse et al. [CITE]) in optical Johnson V -band complement the payload. The ground segment includes the Mission Operations Centre at ESOC, ESA and NASA ground stations, the Science Operations Centre at ESTEC and the Science Data Centre near Geneva. INTEGRAL was launched on 17 October 2002. The observing programme is well underway and sky exposure (until June 2003) reaches ~1800 ks in the Galactic plane. The prospects are excellent for the scientific community to observe the high energy sky using state-of-the-art gamma-ray imaging and spectroscopy. This paper presents a high-level overview of INTEGRAL.

726 citations