Echo Tomography of Black Hole Accretion Flows

Abstract

We discuss technologies for micro-arcsec echo mapping of black hole accretion flows in Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN). Echo mapping employs time delays, Doppler shifts, and photoionisation physics to map the geometry, kinematics, and physical conditions in the reprocessing region close to a compact time-variable source of ionizing radiation. Time delay maps are derived from detailed analysis of variations in lightcurves at different wavelengths. Echo mapping is a maturing technology at a stage of development similar to that of radio interferometry just before the VLA. The first important results are in, confirming the basic assumptions of the method, measuring the sizes of AGN emission line regions, delivering dozens of black hole masses, and showing the promise of the technique. Resolution limits with existing AGN monitoring datasets are typically ~5-10 light days. This should improve down to 1-2 light days in the next-generation echo mapping experiments, using facilities like Kronos and Robonet that are designed for and dedicated to sustained spectroscopic monitoring. A light day is 0.4 micro-arcsec at redshift 0.1, thus echo mapping probes regions 10^3 times smaller than VLBI, and 10^5 times smaller than HST.