Resolving the Structure at the Heart of BAL Quasars Through Microlensing Induced Polarisation Variability

Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia

Christopher A. Hales¹ 

[1] Geraint F. Lewis

关键词: galaxies: structure;    gravitational lensing;    polarisation;    quasars: individual (H1413+1143);   

DOI  :  10.1071/AS07002

学科分类：天文学(综合)

来源: CSIRO

【 摘 要 】

While amongst the most luminous objects in the universe, many details regarding the inner structure of quasars remain unknown. One such area is the mechanism promoting increased polarisation in the broad absorption line troughs of certain quasars. This study shows how microlensing can be used to differentiate between two popular models that explain such polarisation through a realistic computational analysis. By examining a statistical ensemble of correlation data between two observables (namely image brightness and polarisation of the flux coming from the quasar), it was found that through spectropolarimetric monitoring it would be possible to discern between a model with an external scattering region and a model without one.

【 授权许可】

Unknown