Resolving the AGN gamma-ray emission regions with gravitational microlensing

by Dr Ievgen Vovk (MPI for Physics)

Tuesday 19 Jan 2016, 16:15 → 17:15 Europe/Berlin

Auditorium (MPI fuer Physik)

The high-energy emission of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) is believed to be produced in the jets, powered by their central supermassive black holes. At the same time the location of the emission region within the jet is presently uncertain - mainly due to its extremely small angular size, far beyond the capabilities of the existing gamma-ray instruments. However, in the rare case of the gravitationally lensed AGNs, it is possible to use the natural "lens" to assist the situation. I will report on the detection of the gravitational microlensing effect for two gamma-ray loud AGNs, which allowed for the first time to resolve their emission regions, providing strong arguments for their connection with the direct vicinities of the corresponding central black holes.

Slides Vovk_microlensing.pdf