The MOJAVE Chandra sample: A correlation study of blazars and radio galaxies in X-ray and radio wavelengths
Abstract
The Chandra X-ray observatory has increased the quality and number of detections in the X-ray regime since its launch in 1999. It is an important tool for studying the jets which are associated with Active Galacitc Nuclei (AGN) and their possible emission mechanisms. The MOJAVE Chandra Sample (MCS) is a sample of 27 AGN which have been selected from the radio flux-limited MOJAVE (Monitoring of Jets in AGN with VLBA Experiments) sample. The objects contained in the MOJAVE sample are traditionally associated with relativistically beamed jets that have small viewing angles. The MCS was created to study the correlation of X-ray and radio emission on kiloparsec scales. The complete sample is made up of all MOJAVE Fanaroff & Riley type II objects which have over 100 mJy of extended radio emission at 1.4 GHz and a radio structure of at least 3'' in extent. Chandra observations have revealed X-ray and radio correlation in 21 of the 27 jets, bringing the detection rate to ∼78%. The selection criteria provides a quantitative method of discovering new X-ray jets associated with AGN from radio observations. The X-ray morphologies are usually well correlated with the radio emission, except for the sources which show extreme bending on the kiloparsec scale. The emission mechanism for these relativisiticly beamed quasars and radio galaxies can be interpreted as inverse Compton scattering off of the consmic microwave background by the electrons in the jets (IC/CMB). The emission mechanism is reinforced by spectral energy distributions (SED) which model the emission mechanisms for sources with sufficient X-ray, optical, and radio data available. I have explored the effects of jet bending and jet deceleration in conjunction with the inverse Compton emission model and used different scenarios to derive best fit viewing angles and bulk Lorentz factors, which were calculated by using the superluminal speeds along with parameters that were derived from the IC/CMB model. The range of viewing angles and Lorentz factors are examined for each scenario, as well as their implications for the other parameters associated with models. To achieve results that are consistant with other models jet bending and deceleration must be considered with the IC/CMB model.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Lister, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Astrophysics
Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server.