X-ray polarization in radio-quiet AGN: Insights from the wedge corona model using Monte Carlo simulations

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Tagliacozzo, D., Gianolli, S. Bianchi. V., Gnarini, A., Marinucci, A., Matt, G., Ursini, F., Zhang, W.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Tagliacozzo, D.
Gianolli, S. Bianchi. V.
Gnarini, A.
Marinucci, A.
Matt, G.
Ursini, F.
Zhang, W.
author_facet Tagliacozzo, D.
Gianolli, S. Bianchi. V.
Gnarini, A.
Marinucci, A.
Matt, G.
Ursini, F.
Zhang, W.
contents In this study, we present novel calculations of X-ray polarization from radio-quiet and unobscured active galactic nuclei (AGNs) using the Monte Carlo code MONK, which includes all general and special relativity effects. Our geometric model, referred to as the ``wedge corona'', features a homogeneous cloud of electrons characterized by an aspect ratio of h/r and a radius that extends down to the innermost stable circular orbit around the central black hole (BH). Adopting the physical parameters of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151 as a baseline, we investigated various geometric and physical configurations of the BH-corona-accretion disk (AD) system, such as the coronal opening angle, temperature, optical depth, BH spin, and the inner radius of the disk. Finally, we compared our calculations with results from the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) for NGC 4151, the only radio-quiet and unobscured AGN with significant polarization detected by IXPE, to constrain the system's geometric parameters within the framework of the wedge corona model.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_21203
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle X-ray polarization in radio-quiet AGN: Insights from the wedge corona model using Monte Carlo simulations
Tagliacozzo, D.
Gianolli, S. Bianchi. V.
Gnarini, A.
Marinucci, A.
Matt, G.
Ursini, F.
Zhang, W.
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
In this study, we present novel calculations of X-ray polarization from radio-quiet and unobscured active galactic nuclei (AGNs) using the Monte Carlo code MONK, which includes all general and special relativity effects. Our geometric model, referred to as the ``wedge corona'', features a homogeneous cloud of electrons characterized by an aspect ratio of h/r and a radius that extends down to the innermost stable circular orbit around the central black hole (BH). Adopting the physical parameters of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151 as a baseline, we investigated various geometric and physical configurations of the BH-corona-accretion disk (AD) system, such as the coronal opening angle, temperature, optical depth, BH spin, and the inner radius of the disk. Finally, we compared our calculations with results from the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) for NGC 4151, the only radio-quiet and unobscured AGN with significant polarization detected by IXPE, to constrain the system's geometric parameters within the framework of the wedge corona model.
title X-ray polarization in radio-quiet AGN: Insights from the wedge corona model using Monte Carlo simulations
topic High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.21203