Microlensing Studies of Quasar Structure

Ohio State University, The, Columbus OH

Investigators

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to use gravitational microlensing in lensed quasars to measure the sizes of innermost quasar emission regions. The main goals will be to (1) accurately measure the scaling of accretion disk size with black hole mass; (2) determine the scaling of disk size with wavelength from the near-IR through the space UV; (3) determine the size of the non-thermal X-ray emitting regions and their scaling with black hole mass; (4) routinely measure disk inclinations and orientations; and (5) measure the changes in disk structure with changes in luminosity. Broader impacts of the work include training of graduate students and a postdoc, public lectures, and middle school teacher training by the PI.