Quasar Structure Emerges from the Three Forms of Radiation Pressure

Abstract

All quasar spectra show the same atomic features in the optical, UV, near-IR and soft X-rays over all of cosmic time, luminosity black hole mass and accretion rate. This is a puzzle. Here I show that it is possible that all of these atomic features can be accounted for by gas from an accretion disk driven by the three forms of radiation pressure: electron scattering, line driving and dust driving. The locations where they successfully drive an escaping wind, and those where they produce only a failed wind are both needed to produce the observed features.

7 pages, 1 BW figure. Conference proceedings for "AGN Winds in Charleston" (Charleston, SC; 15-18 Oct. 2011). To be published by ASP