Gamma-ray luminosity function of blazars and the cosmic gamma-ray background: evidence for the luminosity-dependent density evolution

We present a comprehensive study of the gamma-ray luminosity function (GLF) of blazars and their contribution to the extragalactic diffuse gamma-ray background (EGRB). Radio and gamma-ray luminosity correlation is introduced with a modest dispersion, consistent with observations, to take into account the radio detectability, which is important for blazar identification. Previous studies considered only pure luminosity evolution (PLE) or pure density evolution, but here we introduce the luminosity-dependent density evolution (LDDE) model, which is favored on the basis of the evolution of the X-ray luminosity function (XLF) of AGNs. The model parameters are constrained by likelihood analyses of the observed redshift and gamma-ray flux distributions of the EGRET blazars. Interestingly, we find that the LDDE model gives a better fit to the observed distributions than the PLE model, indicating that the LDDE model is also appropriate for gamma-ray blazars and that the jet activity is universally correlated with the accretion history of AGNs. We then find that only 25–50% of the EGRB can be explained by unresolved blazars with the best-fit LDDE parameters. Unresolved blazars can account for all the EGRB only with a steeper index of the faint-end slope of the GLF, which is marginally consistent with the EGRET data but inconsistent with XLF data. Therefore, unresolved AGNs cannot be the dominant source of the EGRB, unless there is a new population of gamma-ray emitting AGNs that evolves differently from the XLF of AGNs. Predictions for the GLAST mission are made, and we find that the best-fit LDDE model predicts about 3000 blazars in the entire sky, which is considerably fewer (by a factor of more than 3) than a previous estimate.     

Kinematical diagrams for conical relativistic jets

We present diagrams depicting the expected inter-dependences of two key kinematical parameters of radio knots in the parsec-scale jets of blazars, deduced from VLBI observations. The two parameters are the apparent speed (υ _app = cβ _app) and the effective Doppler boosting factor (δ _eff) of the relativistically moving radio knot. A novel aspect of these analytical computations of β-δ diagrams is that they are made for parsec-scale jets having a conical shape, with modest opening angles (ω up to 10°), in accord with the VLBI observations of the nuclei of the nearest radio galaxies. Another motivating factor is the recent finding that consideration of a conical geometry can have important implications for the interpretation of a variety of radio observations of blazar jets. In addition to uniform jet flows (i.e., those having a uniform bulk Lorentz factor, Γ), computational results are also presented for stratified jets where an ultra-relativistic central spine along the jet axis is surrounded by a slower moving sheath, possibly arising from a velocity shear.     

Modeling the emission processes in blazars

Blazars are the most violent steady/recurrent sources of high-energy gamma-ray emission in the known Universe. They are prominent emitters of electromagnetic radiation throughout the entire electromagnetic spectrum. The observable radiation most likely originates in a relativistic jet oriented at a small angle with respect to the line of sight. This review starts out with a general overview of the phenomenology of blazars, including results from a recent multiwavelength observing campaign on 3C279. Subsequently, issues of modeling broadband spectra will be discussed. Spectral information alone is not sufficient to distinguish between competing models and to constrain essential parameters, in particular related to the primary particle acceleration and radiation mechanisms in the jet. Short-term spectral variability information may help to break such model degeneracies, which will require snap-shot spectral information on intraday time scales, which may soon be achievable for many blazars even in the gamma-ray regime with the upcoming GLAST mission and current advances in Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescope technology. In addition to pure leptonic and hadronic models of gamma-ray emission from blazars, leptonic/hadronic hybrid models are reviewed, and the recently developed hadronic synchrotron mirror model for TeV γ-ray flares which are not accompanied by simultaneous X-ray flares (“orphan TeV flares”) is revisited. The U.S. Government’s right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty-free license in and to any copyright is acknowledged.     

The blazar sequence: validity and predictions

The “blazar sequence” posits that the most powerful BL Lacertae objects and flat-spectrum radio quasars should have relatively small synchrotron peak frequencies, ν _peak, and that the least powerful such objects should have the highest ν _peak values. This would have strong implications for our understanding of jet formation and physics and the possible detection of powerful, moderately high-redshift TeV blazars. I review the validity of the blazar sequence by using the results of very recent surveys and compare its detailed predictions against observational data. I find that the blazar sequence in its simplest form is ruled out. However, powerful flat-spectrum radio quasars appear not to reach the ν _peak typical of BL Lacs. This could indeed be related to some sort of sequence, although it cannot be excluded that it is instead due to a selection effect.      

Jet and accretion power in the most powerful Fermi blazars

Among the blazars detected by the Fermi satellite, we have selected the 23 blazars that in the 3 months of survey had an average γ-ray luminosity above 10⁴⁸ erg s⁻¹. For 17 out of the 23 sources we found and analysed X-ray and optical–ultraviolet data taken by the Swift satellite. With these data, implemented by archival and not simultaneous data, we construct the spectral energy distributions, and interpreted them with a simple one-zone, leptonic, synchrotron and inverse Compton model. When possible, we also compare different high-energy states of single sources, like 0528+134 and 3C 454.3, for which multiple good sets of multiwavelength data are available. In our powerful blazars the high energy emission always dominates the electromagnetic output, and the relatively low level of the synchrotron radiation often does not hide the accretion disc emission. We can then constrain the black hole mass and the disc luminosity. Both are large (i.e. masses equal or greater than  10⁹ M _⊙  and disc luminosities above 10 per cent of Eddington). By modelling the non-thermal continuum we derive the power that the jet carries in the form of bulk motion of particles and fields. On average, the jet power is found to be slightly larger than the disc luminosity, and proportional to the mass accretion rate.     

Search for Rapid Optical Variability in Three Gamma-Ray Loud Blazars

I present the search for V, R, I rapid optical variability of three gamma-ray loud blazars, 3C 454.3, 1ES 1959+650, 1ES 2344+514, performed at the Loiano telescope. The source 3C 454.3 was observed during the decline of the May 2005 outburst. 3C 454.3 and 1ES 2344$+$514 showed rapid variability in one band at least. The data in this work and archival data support the correlation between the occurrence of rapid variability and the flux variation suggested by Howard et~al., AJ 127, 17 (2004). PACS 98.54.Cm, 95.75.De     

The blazar sequence: a new perspective

We revisit the so-called 'blazar sequence', which connects the observed bolometric luminosity to the shape of the spectral energy distribution (SED) of blazars. We propose that the power of the jet and the SED of its emission are linked to the two main parameters of the accretion process, namely the mass of the black hole and the accretion rate. We assume (i) that the jet kinetic power is proportional to the mass accretion rate; (ii) that most of the jet dissipation takes place at a distance proportional to the black hole mass; (iii) that the broad line region exists only above a critical value of the disc luminosity, in Eddington units, and (iv) that the radius of the broad line region scales as the square root of the ionizing disc luminosity. These assumptions, motivated by existing observations or by reasonable theoretical considerations, are sufficient to uniquely determine the SED of all blazars. This framework accounts for the existence of 'blue quasars', i.e. objects with broad emission lines but with SEDs resembling those of low-luminosity high-energy peaked BL Lacertae (BL Lac) objects, as well as the existence of relatively low-luminosity 'red' quasars. Implications on the possible evolution of blazars are briefly discussed. This scenario can be tested quite easily once the AGILE and especially the GLAST satellite observations, coupled with information in the optical/X-ray band from Swift , will allow the knowledge of the entire SED of hundreds (and possibly thousands) blazars.     

Linkage between accretion disks and blazars

The magnetic field in an accretion disk is estimated assuming that all of the angular momentum within prescribed accretion disk radii is removed by a jet. The magnetic field estimated at the base of the jet is extrapolated to the blazar emission region using a model for a relativistic axisymmetric jet combined with some simplifying assumptions based on the relativistic nature of the flow. The extrapolated magnetic field is compared with estimates based upon the synchrotron and inverse Compton emission from three blazars, MKN 501, MKN 421 and PKS 2155-304. The magnetic fields evaluated from pure synchrotron self-Compton models are inconsistent with the magnetic fields extrapolated in this way. However, in two cases inverse Compton models in which a substantial part of the soft photon field is generated locally agree well, mainly because these models imply magnetic field strengths consistent with an important Poynting Flux component. This comparison is based on estimating the mass accretion rate from the jet energy flux. Further comparisons along these lines will be facilitated by independent estimates of the mass accretion rate in blazars and by more detailed models for jet propagation near the black hole.     

Gamma-Ray and VLBI Radio Emission from Gamma-ray-loud Blazars

Based on the γ-ray data of 51 γ-ray-loud blazars in the third EGRET catalog and VLBI radio data at 2.29 GHz in high state. we studied the correlations between the VLBI and γ-rayluminosities and the fluxes using the partial correlation analysis method. The results show that there is a strong correlation between γ-ray and VLBI radio fluxes and a significant correlation between γ-ray and VLBI radio luminosities. These results are likely to provide a possible support for self-Compton model of the γ-ray emission in blazars. It also shows that the γ-ray radiation may come from the region within the order of 1 pc which is consistent with the results given by luminosity variation. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The klein–nishina Effects in Blazar Jets

Blazars are the only (with one or two exceptions) extragalactic objects which were detected and identified at gamma-ray energies so far. It is suspected that most of the unidentified gamma-ray sources may be the blazars as well. Because the entire electromagnetic spectrum of these objects is dominated by non-thermal radiation from relativistically moving jets, the effects such as the Klein–Nishina regime in the Compton scattering may play a major role in shaping some parts of the blazar spectrum. Within the framework of external radiation Compton model, we present how these effect influence the spectra of blazars for which the production of gamma rays is dominated by Comptonization of external radiation.     

A submillimeter view of protoplanetary dust disks

We present some results from our submillimeter single-dish and aperture synthesis imaging surveys of protoplanetary disks using the JCMT, CSO, and Submillimeter Array (SMA) on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Employing a simple disk model, we simultaneously fit the spectral energy distributions and spatially resolved submillimeter continuum emission from our SMA survey to constrain disk structure properties, including surface density profiles and sizes. The typical disk structure we infer is consistent with a fiducial accretion disk model with a viscosity parameter α≈0.01. Combined with a large, multiwavelength single-dish survey of similar disks, we show how these observations provide evidence for significant grain growth and rapid evolution in the outer regions of disks, perhaps due to an internal photoevaporation process. In addition, we discuss SMA observations of the disks in the Orion Trapezium (proplyds) in the context of disk evolution in a more extreme environment.     

Gamma-ray astrophysics: parsecs to megaparsecs

A rapidly spinning, slowly accreting magnetic white dwarf (or X-ray pulsar) in hibernation is expected to result in rapid spindown as a result of the stretching and reconnection of magnetic field lines, leading to particle acceleration at the magnetospheric radiusoutside the corotation radius, and the propeller type ejection of magnetized synchrotron-emitting clouds. This may explain the non-thermal (radio and-rays) emission seen from the unique nearby AE Aquarii. Moving to Galactic distances we show how TeV-ray observations of pulsar-driven supernova remnants (with well-measured synchrotron X-ray spectra) allow us to obtain a direct measurement of the average magnetic field strength in the nebula. Finally, GeV to TeV observations of-ray blazars out to redshifts of 2 allow us to probe the intergalactic infrared radiation field, the Hubble constant and possibly the parameter of the Universe.     

Non-thermal cosmic backgrounds and prospects for future high-energy observations of blazars

We discuss the contribution of the blazar population to the extragalactic background radiation across the electromagnetic (e.m.) spectrum with particular reference to the microwave, hard-X-ray and γ-ray bands. Our estimates are based on a recently derived blazar radio LogN-LogS that was built by combining several radio and multi-frequency surveys. We show that blazar emission integrated over cosmic time gives rise to a considerable broad-band non-thermal cosmic background that dominates the extragalactic brightness in the high-energy part of the e.m. spectrum. We also estimate the number of blazars that are expected to be detected by future planned or hypothetical missions operating in the X-ray and γ-ray energy bands.     

STAGES: the Space Telescope A901/2 Galaxy Evolution Survey

We present an overview of the Space Telescope A901/2 Galaxy Evolution Survey (STAGES). STAGES is a multiwavelength project designed to probe physical drivers of galaxy evolution across a wide range of environments and luminosity. A complex multicluster system at   z ∼ 0.165  has been the subject of an 80-orbit F606W Hubble Space Telescope (HST) /Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) mosaic covering the full     span of the supercluster. Extensive multiwavelength observations with XMM–Newton , GALEX, Spitzer , 2dF, Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope and the 17-band COMBO-17 photometric redshift survey complement the HST imaging. Our survey goals include simultaneously linking galaxy morphology with other observables such as age, star formation rate, nuclear activity and stellar mass. In addition, with the multiwavelength data set and new high-resolution mass maps from gravitational lensing, we are able to disentangle the large-scale structure of the system. By examining all aspects of an environment we will be able to evaluate the relative importance of the dark matter haloes, the local galaxy density and the hot X-ray gas in driving galaxy transformation. This paper describes the HST imaging, data reduction and creation of a master catalogue. We perform the Sérsic fitting on the HST images and conduct associated simulations to quantify completeness. In addition, we present the COMBO-17 photometric redshift catalogue and estimates of stellar masses and star formation rates for this field. We define galaxy and cluster sample selection criteria, which will be the basis for forthcoming science analyses, and present a compilation of notable objects in the field. Finally, we describe the further multiwavelength observations and announce public access to the data and catalogues.     

Galaxy evolution from a microJansky radio survey

A strong evolution of galaxies is observed for 0<z<1, as evidenced by an increase of almost an order of magnitude in the galaxy star-formation rate density. However, it is known that dust obscuration has affected our understanding of galaxy evolution over this significant fraction of the age of the Universe. In order to study galaxy evolution free from dust induced biases, an ultra deep radio survey – the Phoenix Deep Survey – was initiated. With a detection limit of 60μJy, this homogeneous survey, complemented with multiwavelength (photometric and spectroscopic) observations, is being used to build a consistent picture of galaxy evolution. The ultra-deep radio source counts are presented, and interpreted using luminosity function evolutionary models. The discovery of extremely dusty galaxies from this survey, along with the clustering properties of the sub-mJy radio population, are also discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A theoretical unifying scheme for gamma-ray bright blazars

The phenomenology of γ-ray bright blazars can be accounted for by a sequence in the source power and intensity of the diffuse radiation field surrounding the relativistic jet. Correspondingly, the equilibrium particle distribution peaks at different energies. This leads to a trend in the observed properties: an increase of the observed power corresponds to: (i) a decrease in the frequencies of the synchrotron and inverse Compton peaks, and (ii) an increase in the ratio of the powers of the high- and low-energy spectral components. Objects along this sequence would be observationally classified respectively as high-frequency BL Lac objects, low-frequency BL Lac objects, high-polarization quasars and low-polarization quasars.   The proposed scheme is based on the correlations among the physical parameters derived in the present paper by applying to 51 γ-ray loud blazars two of the most accepted scenarios for the broad-band emission of blazars, namely the synchrotron self-Compton and external Compton models. This also explains the observational trends presented by Fossati et al., dealing with the spectral energy distributions of all blazars. This gives us confidence that our scheme applies to all blazars as a class.     

The Deep X-Ray Radio Blazar Survey (DXRBS) – II. New identifications

We have searched the archived, pointed ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter data for blazars by correlating the WGACAT X-ray data base with several publicly available radio catalogues, restricting our candidate list to serendipitous X-ray sources with a flat radio spectrum ( α _r≤0.70, where S _ν ∝ ν ^{− α} ). This makes up the Deep X-ray Radio Blazar Survey (DXRBS). Here we present new identifications and spectra for 106 sources, including 86 radio-loud quasars, 11 BL Lacertae objects, and nine narrow-line radio galaxies. Together with our previously published objects and already-known sources, our sample now contains 298 identified objects: 234 radio-loud quasars [181 flat-spectrum quasars: FSRQ ( α _r≤0.50) and 53 steep-spectrum quasars: SSRQ], 36 BL Lacs and 28 narrow-line radio galaxies. Redshift information is available for 96 per cent of these. Thus our selection technique is ∼90 per cent efficient at finding radio-loud quasars and BL Lacs. Reaching 5-GHz radio fluxes ∼50 mJy and 0.1–2.0 keV X-ray fluxes a few ×10⁻¹⁴ erg cm⁻² s⁻¹, DXRBS is the faintest and largest flat-spectrum radio sample with nearly complete (∼85 per cent) identification. We review the properties of the DXRBS blazar sample, including redshift distribution and coverage of the X-ray-radio–power plane for quasars and BL Lacs. Additionally, we touch upon the expanded multiwavelength view of blazars provided by DXRBS. By sampling for the first time the faint end of the radio and X-ray luminosity functions, this sample will allow us to investigate the blazar phenomenon and the validity of unified schemes down to relatively low powers.     

The optical spectral slope variability of 17 blazars

Many quasi-simultaneous optical observations of 17 blazars are obtained from previous papers published over the last 19 years in order to investigate the spectral slope variability and understand the radiation mechanism of blazars. The long-period dereddened optical spectral slopes are calculated. We analyse the average spectral slope distribution, which suggests that the spectra of flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) and high energy peaked BL Lac objects (HBLs) are probably deformed by other emission components. The average spectral slopes of low energy peaked BL Lac objects(LBLs), which scatter around 1.5, show a good accordance with the synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) loss-dominated model. We present and discuss the variability between the spectral slope and optical luminosity. The spectra of all HBLs and LBLs get flatter when they turn brighter, while for FSRQs this trend does not exist or may even be reversed. This phenomenon may imply that there is a thermal contribution to the optical spectrum for FSRQs. For the FSRQ 1156+295, there is a hint that the slope gets flatter at both the brightest and faintest states. Our result shows that three subclasses locate in different regions in the pattern of slope variability indicator versus average spectral slope. The relativistic jet mechanism is supported by the significant correlation between the optical Doppler factor and the average spectral slope.     

Relativistic large-scale jets and minimum power requirements

The recent discovery, by the Chandra satellite, that jets of blazars are strong X-ray emitters at large scales     , lends support to the hypothesis that emitting plasma is still moving at highly relativistic speeds on these scales. In this case in fact the emission via inverse Compton scattering off cosmic background photons is enhanced and the resulting predicted X-ray spectrum accounts well for the otherwise puzzling observations. Here we point out another reason to favour relativistic large-scale jets, based on a minimum power argument: by estimating the Poynting flux and bulk kinetic powers corresponding to, at least, the relativistic particles and magnetic field responsible for the emission, one can derive the value of the bulk Lorentz factor for which the total power is minimized. It is found that both the inner and extended parts of the jet of PKS     satisfy such a condition.     

Optical variability properties of high luminosity AGN classes

We present the results of a comparative study of the intranight optical variability (INOV) characteristics of radio-loud and radioquiet quasars, which involves a systematic intra-night optical monitoring of seven sets of high luminosity AGNs covering the redshift rangez ≃ 0.2 toz ≃ 2.2. The sample, matched in the optical luminosity—redshift(M ^B—z) plane, consists of seven radio-quiet quasars (RQQs), eight radio lobedominated quasars (LDQs), five radio core-dominated quasars (CDQs) and six BL Lac objects (BLs). Systematic CCD observations, aided by a careful data analysis procedure, have allowed us to detect INOV with amplitudes as low as about 1%. Present observations cover a total of 113 nights (720 hours) with only a single quasar monitored as continuously as possible on a given night. Considering the cases of only unambiguous detections of INOV we have estimated duty cycles (DCs) of 17%, 12%, 20% and 61% for RQQs, LDQs, CDQs, and BLs, respectively. The much lower amplitude and DC of ESfOV shown by RQQs compared to BLs may be understood in terms of their having optical synchrotron jets which are modestly misdirected from us. From our fairly extensive dataset, no general trend of a correlation between the INOV amplitude and the apparent optical brightness of the quasar is noticed. This suggests that the physical mechanisms of INOV and long term optical variability (LTOV) do not have a one-to-one relationship and different factors are involved. Also, the absence of a clear negative correlation between the INOV and LTOV characteristics of blazars of our sample points toward an inconspicuous contribution of accretion disk fluctuations to the observed INOV. The INOV duty cycle of the AGNs observed in this program suggests that INOV is associated predominantly with the highly polarized optical emission components. We also report new VLA imaging of two RQQs (1029 + 329 & 1252 + 020) in our sample which has yielded a 5 GHz detection in one of them (1252 + 020;S _5GHZ ≃ 1 mJy).