Constraints on black hole masses with timescales of variations in blazars
In this paper, we investigated the issue of black hole masses and minimum timescales of jet emission for blazars. We proposed a sophisticated model that sets an upper limit to the central black hole masses M{sub ∙} with the minimum timescales Δt{sub min}{sup ob} of variations observed in blazars. The value of Δt{sub min}{sup ob} presents an upper limit to the size of the blob in the jet. The blob is assumed to be generated in the jet-production region in the vicinity of the black hole, and then the expanding blob travels outward along the jet. We applied the model to 32 blazars, 29 of which were detected in gamma-rays by satellites, and these Δt{sub min}{sup ob} are on the order of hours, with large variability amplitudes. In general, the M{sub ∙} estimated with this method are not inconsistent with those masses reported in the literature. This model is natural for connecting M{sub ∙} with Δt{sub min}{sup ob} for blazars, and seems to be applicable in constraining M{sub ∙} in the central engines of blazars.