Bibcode
Popović, L. Č; Mediavilla, E. G.; Muñoz, J. A.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.378, p.295-301 (2001)
Advertised on:
10
2001
Journal
Citations
39
Refereed citations
29
Description
We study the influence of gravitational microlensing on the spectral
line profiles originating from a relativistic accretion disc. Using the
Chen & Halpern model for the disc, we show the noticeable changes
that microlensing can induce in the line shape when the Einstein radius
associated with the microlens is of a size comparable to that of the
accretion disc. Of special interest is the relative enhancement between
the blue and red peaks of the line when an off-center microlens affects
the approaching and receding parts of the accretion disc asymmetrically.
In an AGN formed by a super-massive binary in which the accretion disc
is located around one of the super-massive companions (the primary), we
discuss the possibility of microlensing by the secondary. In this case
the ratio between the blue and red peaks of the line profile would
depend on the orbital phase. We have also considered the more standard
configuration of microlensing by a star-sized object in an intervening
galaxy and find that microlensing may also be detected in the broad
emission lines of multiply imaged QSOs. The changes observed in the line
profile of Arp 102 B are taken as a reference for exploring both
scenarios.