On the spin paradigm and the radio dichotomy of quasars

Citation
R. Moderski et al., On the spin paradigm and the radio dichotomy of quasars, M NOT R AST, 301(1), 1998, pp. 142-148
Citations number
51
Categorie Soggetti
Space Sciences
Journal title
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
ISSN journal
00358711 → ACNP
Volume
301
Issue
1
Year of publication
1998
Pages
142 - 148
Database
ISI
SICI code
0035-8711(19981121)301:1<142:OTSPAT>2.0.ZU;2-1
Abstract
We investigate whether models based on the assumption that jets in quasars are powered by rotating black holes can explain the observed radio dichotom y of quasars. We show that in terms of the 'spin paradigm' models, radio-lo ud quasars could be objects in which the rotation rate of the black hole co rresponds to an equilibrium between spin-up by accretion and spin-down by t he Blandford-Znajek mechanism. Radio-quiet quasars could be hosting black h oles with an average spin much smaller than the equilibrium one. We discuss possible accretion scenarios which can lead to such a bimodal distribution of black hole spins.