Accretion Power in Astrophysics

by Juhan Frank , Andrew King , Derek Raine

• ISBN13: 9780521629577
• ISBN10: 0521629578
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-02-11
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This newly expanded and thoroughly updated third edition examines accretion as a source of energy in both binary star systems containing compact objects, and in active galactic nuclei. Assuming a basic knowledge of physics, the authors describe the physical processes at work in accretion discs and other accretion flows. New material includes a detailed treatment of disc instabilities, irradiated discs, disc warping, and general accretion flows. The treatment is suitable for advanced undergraduates, graduate students and researchers.

Table of Contents

Preface to the first edition	ix
Preface to the second edition	xi
Preface to the third edition	xiii
Accretion as a Source of Energy	1	(7)
Introduction	1	(1)
The Eddington limit	2	(3)
The emitted spectrum	5	(1)
Accretion theory and observation	6	(2)
Gas Dynamics	8	(15)
Introduction	8	(1)
The equations of gas dynamics	8	(3)
Steady adiabatic flows; isothermal flows	11	(1)
Sound waves	12	(2)
Steady, spherically symmetric accretion	14	(9)
Plasma Concepts	23	(25)
Introduction	23	(1)
Charge neutrality, plasma oscillations and the Debye length	23	(3)
Collisions	26	(4)
Thermal plasmas: relaxation time and mean free path	30	(2)
The stopping of fast particles by a plasma	32	(2)
Transport phenomena: viscosity	34	(3)
The effect of strong magnetic fields	37	(4)
Shock waves in plasmas	41	(7)
Accretion in Binary Systems	48	(32)
Introduction	48	(1)
Interacting binary systems	48	(1)
Roche lobe overflow	49	(5)
Roche geometry and binary evolution	54	(4)
Disc formation	58	(5)
Viscous torques	63	(6)
The magnitude of viscosity	69	(2)
Beyond the α-prescription	71	(2)
Accretion in close binaries: other possibilities	73	(7)
Accretion Discs	80	(72)
Introduction	80	(1)
Radial disc structure	80	(4)
Steady thin discs	84	(4)
The local structure of thin discs	88	(2)
The emitted spectrum	90	(3)
The structure of steady α-discs (the `standard model')	93	(5)
Steady discs: confrontation with observation	98	(12)
Time dependence and stability	110	(11)
Dwarf novae	121	(8)
Irradiated discs	129	(10)
Tides, resonances and superhumps	139	(9)
Discs around young stars	148	(2)
Spiral shocks	150	(2)
Accretion on to a Compact Object	152	(61)
Introduction	152	(1)
Boundary layers	152	(6)
Accretion on to magnetized neutron stars and white dwarfs	158	(16)
Accretion columns: the white dwarf case	174	(17)
Accretion column structure for neutron stars	191	(11)
X-ray bursters	202	(5)
Black holes	207	(2)
Accreting binary systems with compact components	209	(4)
Active Galactic Nuclei	213	(31)
Observations	213	(7)
The distances of active galaxies	220	(3)
The sizes of active galactic nuclei	223	(2)
The mass of the central source	225	(3)
Models of active galactic nuclei	228	(2)
The gas supply	230	(4)
Black holes	234	(4)
Accretion efficiency	238	(6)
Accretion Discs in Active Galactic Nuclei	244	(23)
The nature of the problem	244	(2)
Radio, millimetre and infrared emission	246	(1)
Optical, UV and X-ray emission	247	(3)
The broad and narrow, permitted and forbidden	250	(2)
The narrow line region	252	(3)
The broad line region	255	(10)
The stability of AGN discs	265	(2)
Accretion Power in Active Galactic Nuclei	267	(29)
Introduction	267	(1)
Extended radio sources	267	(5)
Compact radio sources	272	(6)
The nuclear continuum	278	(3)
Applications to discs	281	(4)
Magnetic fields	285	(2)
Newtonian electrodynamic discs	287	(2)
The Blandford-Znajek model	289	(3)
Circuit analysis of black hole power	292	(4)
Thick Discs	296	(23)
Introduction	296	(2)
Equilibrium figures	298	(5)
The limiting luminosity	303	(3)
Newtonian vorticity-free torus	306	(3)
Thick accretion discs	309	(5)
Dynamical stability	314	(2)
Astrophysical implications	316	(3)
Accretion Flows	319	(26)
Introduction	319	(1)
The equations	320	(3)
Vertically integrated equations - slim discs	323	(2)
A unified description of steady accretion flows	325	(6)
Stability	331	(2)
Optically thin ADAFs - similarity solutions	333	(1)
Astrophysical applications	334	(3)
Caveats and alternatives	337	(5)
Epilogue	342	(3)
Appendix Radiation processes	345	(5)
Problems	350	(16)
Bibliography	366	(14)
Index	380