3D spectroscopy as a tool for investigation of the BLR of lensed QSOs

Abstract

Selective amplification of the line and continuum source by microlensing in a lensed quasar can lead to changes of continuum spectral slopes and line shapes in the spectra of the quasar components. Comparing the spectra of different components of the lensed quasar and the spectra of an image observed in different epochs one can infer the presence of millilensing, microlensing and intrinsic variability. Especially, microlensing can be used for investigation of the unresolved broad line (BLR) and continuum emitting region structure in active galactic nuclei (AGN). Therefore the spectroscopic monitoring of selected lensed quasars with 3D spectroscopy open new possibility for investigation of the BLR structure in AGN. Here we discuss observational effects that may be present during the BLR microlensing in the spectra of lensed QSOs.