Implications of bulk velocity structures in AGN jets

Abstract

Synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) models and External Compton (EC) models of AGN jets with continually longitudinal and transverse bulk velocity structures have been constructed. The observed spectra show complex and interesting patterns in different velocity structures and viewing angles. These models were used to calculate the synchrotron and inverse Compton spectra of two typical BL Lac objects (BLO) (Mrk 421 and 0716+714) and (one) Flat Spectrum Radio Quasars (FSRQs) (3C 279), and to discuss the implications of jet bulk velocity structures in a unification of the BLO and FR I radio galaxies (FRI). By calculating the synchrotron spectra and SSC spectra of BL Lac object jets with continually bulk velocity structures, we have found that the spectra are much different from those in jets with a uniform velocity structure under increasing viewing angles. The unification of BLO and FRI is less constrained by the viewing angles, and would be imprinted by velocity structures intrinsic to the jets, themselves. By considering jets with bulk velocity structures constrained by the apparent speed, we discuss the velocity structures imprinted on the observed spectra for different viewing angles. We find that the spectra are greatly impacted by longitudinal velocity structures, because the volume elements are compressed or expanded. Finally, we present the EC spectra of FSRQs and FR II radio galaxies (FRII), and find that they are weakly affected by the velocity structures compared to synchrotron and SSC spectra. © 2009. Astronomical Society of Japan.