The LxL_\mathrm{x}-LuvL_\mathrm{uv}-LradioL_\mathrm{radio} relation and corona-disk-jet connection in optically selected radio-loud quasars

preprint2020arXivOpen access

Abstract

Radio-loud quasars (RLQs) are more X-ray luminous than predicted by the X-ray-optical/UV relation (i.e. Lx∝LuvγL_\mathrm{x}\propto L_\mathrm{uv}^γ) for radio-quiet quasars (RQQs). The excess X-ray emission depends on the radio-loudness parameter (RR) and radio spectral slope (αrα_\mathrm{r}). We construct a uniform sample of 729 optically selected RLQs with high fractions of X-ray detections and αrα_\mathrm{r} measurements.We find that steep-spectrum radio quasars (SSRQs; αr≤−0.5α_\mathrm{r}\le-0.5) follow a quantitatively similar Lx∝LuvγL_\mathrm{x}\propto L_\mathrm{uv}^γ relation as that for RQQs, suggesting a common coronal origin for the X-ray emission of both SSRQs and RQQs. However, the corresponding intercept of SSRQs is larger than that for RQQs and increases with RR, suggesting a connection between the radio jets and the configuration of the accretion flow. Flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs; αr>−0.5α_\mathrm{r}>-0.5) are generally more X-ray luminous than SSRQs at given LuvL_\mathrm{uv} and RR, likely involving more physical processes. The emergent picture is different from that commonly assumed where the excess X-ray emission of RLQs is attributed to the jets. We thus perform model selection to comparecritically these different interpretations, which prefers the coronal scenario with a corona-jet connection. A distinct jet component is likely important for only a small portion of FSRQs.The corona-jet, disk-corona, and disk-jet connections of RLQs are likely driven by independent physical processes. Furthermore, the corona-jet connection implies that small-scale processesin the vicinity of SMBHs, probably associated with the magnetic flux/topology instead of black-hole spin, are controlling the radio-loudness of quasars.

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