Constraining the central engine of radio-loud AGNs

Rita M. Sambruna, Michael Eracleous, Richard Mushotzky

Published 1999-10-28Version 1

We present an X-ray spectral survey of radio-loud (RL) AGNs using ASCA and RXTE. The goal was to study the structure of their central engines and compare it to that of their radio-quiet (RQ) counterparts. We find Systematic differences in the X-ray properties of the two AGN classes. Specifically, RL AGNs exhibit weaker Fe lines and reflection components than RQ AGNs, indicating smaller solid angles subtended by the reprocessing medium to the X-ray source. The circumnuclear environs of RL and RQ AGNs also differ: large amounts of cold gas are detected in Broad Line Radio Galaxies and Quasars, contrary to what is found in Seyfert galaxies of similar X-ray luminosity. We also discuss ASCA observations of Weak Line Radio Galaxies, a distinct subset of radio galaxies which may harbor a low-luminosity AGN powered by an advection-dominated accretion flow.