Effects of Kerr space-time on spectral features from X-ray illuminated accretion discs

TLDR: In this article, the relativistic effects acting on both the reflection continuum and the iron line from accretion discs around rotating black holes were investigated in Kerr space-time, and it was shown that the observed EW of the lines is substantially enlarged when the black hole rotates rapidly and/or the source of illumination is near above the hole.

Abstract: ABSTRA C T We performed detailed calculations of the relativistic effects acting on both the reflection continuum and the iron line from accretion discs around rotating black holes. Fully relativistic transfer of both illuminating and reprocessed photons has been considered in Kerr space‐time. We calculated overall spectra, line profiles and integral quantities, and present their dependences on the black hole angular momentum. We show that the observed EW of the lines is substantially enlarged when the black hole rotates rapidly and/or the source of illumination is near above the hole. Therefore, such calculations provide a way to distinguish between different models of the central source.