Work

X‐Ray and Optical Flux Ratio Anomalies in Quadruply Lensed Quasars. I. Zooming in on Quasar Emission Regions

Year: 2007

Type: article

Abstract: X-ray and optical observations of quadruply lensed quasars can provide a microarcsecond probe of the lensed quasar, corresponding to scale sizes of ~10 2 -10 4 gravitational radii of the central black hole. This high angular resolution is achieved by taking advantage of microlensing by stars in the lensing galaxy. In this paper we use X-ray observations of 10 lensed quasars recorded with the Chandra X-Ray Observatory as well as corresponding optical data obtained with either the Hubble Space Telescope or ground-based optical telescopes. These are analyzed in a systematic and uniform way with emphasis on the flux ratio anomalies that are found relative to the predictions of smooth lens models. A comparison of the flux ratio anomalies between the X-ray and optical bands allows us to conclude that the optical emission regions of the lensed quasars are typically larger than expected from basic thin-disk models by factors of ~3-30.

Source: The Astrophysical Journal

DOI: 10.1086/512115

Authors: David Pooley, Jeffrey A. Blackburne, Saul Rappaport, Paul L. Schechter

Institutions: University of California, Berkeley, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Science Foundation, Smithsonian Institution, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Awards: G1390571956, G3561758408, New Gravitational Lenses, Time Delays, and Microlensing with the Magellan Telescopes