A polar+equatorial wind model for broad absorption line quasars

Abstract

Context. Despite all the studies, the geometry of the wind at the origin of the blueshifted broad absorption lines (BAL) observed in nearly 20% of quasars still remains a matter of debate. Aims. We want to see if a two-component polar+equatorial wind geometry can reproduce the typical BAL profiles observed in these objects. Methods. We built a Monte Carlo radiative transfer code (called MCRT) to simulate the line profiles formed in a polar+equatorial wind in which the photons, emitted from a spherically symmetric core are resonantly scattered. Our goal is to reproduce typical C iv line profiles observed in BAL quasars and to identify the parameters governing the line profiles. Results. The two-component wind model appears to be efficient in reproducing the BAL profiles from the P Cygni-type profiles to the more complex ones. Some profiles can also be reproduced with a pole-on view. Our simulations provide evidence of a high-velocity rotation of the wind around the polar axis in BAL quasars with non P Cygni-type line profiles. © 2010 ESO.