Iron Line Spectroscopy of NGC4593 with XMM-Newton: Where is the Black Hole Accretion Disk?

Abstract

We present an analysis of the 2-10keV XMM-Newton/EPIC-pn spectrum of the Seyfert-1 galaxy NGC4593. Apart from the presence of two narrow emission lines corresponding to the Kalpha lines of cold and hydrogen-like iron, this spectrum possesses a power-law form to within 3-5%. There is a marked lack of spectral features from the relativistic regions of the black hole accretion disk. We show that the data are, however, consistent with the presence of a radiatively-efficient accretion disk extending right down to the radius of marginal stability if it possesses low iron abundance, an appropriately ionized surface, a very high inclination, or a very centrally concentrated emission pattern (as has been observed during the Deep Minimum State of the Seyfert galaxy MCG-6-30-15). Deeper observations of this source are required in order to validate or reject these models.

6 pages, 3 postscript figures. Accepted for publication in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society