Accretion disks in active galactic nuclei

Abstract

The black-hole/accretion-disk model proposed to explain the high observed luminosities of AGN is discussed, reviewing the results of recent observational and theoretical investigations. The derivation of the governing equations for black holes and thick or thin disks is outlined; numerical predictions are presented in tables and graphs; and the observational implications for the thermal continuum and its polarization, the broad emission lines, and thermal light variations are explored.