We investigate the origin of the parsec-scale radio emission from the changing-look active galactic nucleus (AGN) of Mrk 590, and examine whether the radio power has faded concurrently with the dramatic decrease in accretion rates observed between the 1990s and the present. We detect a compact core at 1.6 and 8.4 GHz using new Very Long Baseline Array observations, finding no significant extended, jet-like features down to similar to 1 pc scales. The flat spectral index (alpha(8.4)(1.6) = 0.03) and high brightness temperature (T-b similar to 10(8) K) indicate self-absorbed synchrotron emission from the AGN. The radio to X-ray luminosity ratio of log(L-R/L-X) similar to -5, similar to that in coronally active stars, suggests emission from magnetized coronal winds, although unresolved radio jets are also consistent with the data. Comparing new Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array measurements with archival and published radio flux densities, we find 46 per cent, 34 per cent, and (insignificantly) 13 per cent flux density decreases between the 1990s and the year 2015 at 1.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 8.4 GHz, respectively. This trend, possibly due to the expansion and fading of internal shocks within the radio-emitting outflow after a recent outburst, is consistent with the decline of the optical-UV and X-ray luminosities over the same period. Such correlated variability demonstrates the AGN accretion-outflow connection, confirming that the changing-look behaviour in Mrk 590 originates from variable accretion rates rather than dust obscuration. The present radio and X-ray luminosity correlation, consistent with low/hard state accretion, suggests that the black hole may now be accreting in a radiatively inefficient mode.

We conduct a multiwavelength continuum variability study of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548 to investigate the temperature structure of its accretion disk. The 19 overlapping continuum light curves (1158 angstrom to 9157 angstrom) combine simultaneous Hubble Space Telescope, Swift, and ground-based observations over a 180 day period from 2014 January to July. Light-curve variability is interpreted as the reverberation response of the accretion disk to irradiation by a central time-varying point source. Our model yields the disk inclination i = 36 degrees +/- 10 degrees, temperature T-1= (44 +/- 6) x 10(3) K at 1 light day from the black hole, and a temperature-radius slope (T proportional to r(-alpha)) of alpha = 0.99 +/- 0.03. We also infer the driving light curve and find that it correlates poorly with both the hard and soft X-ray light curves, suggesting that the X-rays alone may not drive the ultraviolet and optical variability over the observing period. We also decompose the light curves into bright, faint, and mean accretion-disk spectra. These spectra lie below that expected for a standard blackbody accretion disk accreting at L/L-Edd = 0.1.

We present a spectral analysis of the spectrum from the Hubble Space Telescope Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (HST/COS) of the southern VY Scl nova-like variable BB Doradus, obtained as part of a Cycle 20 HST/COS survey of accreting white dwarfs (WDs) in cataclysmic variables. BB Dor was observed with COS during an intermediate state with a low mass accretion rate, thereby allowing an estimate of the WD temperature. The results of our spectral analysis show that the WD is a significant far-ultraviolet (FUV) component of the spectrum with a temperature of about 35,000-50,000 K, assuming a WD mass of 0.80 M-circle dot (log(g) = 8.4). The disk, with a mass accretion rate of approximate to 10(-10) M-circle dot yr(-1), contributes about 1/5 to 1/2 of the FUV flux.

Les cycles d’hysteresis des binaires X lors de leurs sursauts restent inexpliqués a ce jour. Dans ce travail, nous avons développé les idées du paradigme propose par Ferreira et al. (2006), ou la matière dans le disque accrète de deux manières différentes. Dans le mode standard (SAD, Shakura et Sunyaev 1973), le couple turbulent transporte le moment cinétique radialement vers l’extérieur du disque. Dans le mode éjectant (JED, Ferreira et Pelletier 1995), le disque magnetise produit des jets qui emporte la matière, l’énergie et le moment angulaire verticalement. Dans ce cadre, la transition entre les deux modes est liée a la distribution de champ magnétique dans le disque, une inconnue. Pendant cette thèse, j’ai développé un code capable de résoudre a chaque rayon dans un disque l’équilibre thermique a deux températures pour de multiples jeu de paramètres. Ce code utilise Belm (Belmont et al. 2008 ; Belmont 2009) pour traiter le refroidissement radiatif et créer les spectres de manière auto-cohérente. Les processus de chauffage sont analytiques, ainsi que les processus d’advection, qui sont calcules de l’interieur vers l’exterieur.Grace a ce code, nous avons pu montrer que des solutions de JED reproduisaient très bien les états hard jusqu’à 0.5 luminosités d’Eddington (Marcel et al. 2018a). Il a aussi été démontré que le JED subit un cycle d’hysteresis. En revanche, la luminosité de ce cycle est bien trop faible et la présence inévitable de jets dans la configuration nous pousse a l’utilisation d’un SAD pour la reproduction d’états soft.Fort de ces résultats, j’ai adapte le code a la résolution de configuration de disque hybride, compose d’un JED interne et d’un SAD externe, séparé en un rayon de transition rJ. En jouant sur ce paramètre rJ et sur le taux d’accrétion mdot, nous avons pu montrer que les observations X de cycles typiques pouvaient être pavée. Après des calculs similaires a Heinz et Sunyaev (2003), nous pouvons estimer quel est le flux radio associe a chaque jeu de paramètres. Cela nous a permis de montrer 2 choses. (1) tous les flux radios sont reproductibles a l’aide d’un seul facteur de normalisation commun. (2) le flux radio et la forme du spectre en rayons X sont cohérents : les jeux de paramètres qui reproduisent le mieux chaque forme spectral sont associes aux bon flux radios. Afin d’illustrer ce résultat, 5 états canoniques de l’évolution de GX 339-4 ont ete reproduits : forme spectrale en X et flux radios (Marcel et al. 2018b). Pour finir, en utilisant une simple procédure d’ajustement sur la forme spectrale en X, le cycle de 2010-2011 de GX 339-4 a pu être reproduit. De manière bluffante, les évolutions de rJ et mdot semblent être en accord avec les prédictions théoriques (Esin et al. 1997). De plus, les estimations de flux radio étant cohérentes avec les observations, nous avons décidé de les ajouter directement dans la procédure d’ajustement. L’ajout de cette composante a permis une excellente reproduction simultanée de la radio et des spectres X de manière. C’est, a notre connaissance, la première fois que les phénomènes d’accrétion et d’éjection sont utilisés simultanément. Ces résultats, ainsi que les discussions et implications seront bientôt soumis. / The hysteresis behavior of X-ray binaries during their outbursts remains a mystery. In this work, we developed the paradigm proposed in Ferreira et al. (2006) where the disk material accretes in two possible, mutually exclusive, ways. In the standard accretion disk (SAD, Shakura et Sunyaev 1973) mode, the dominant local torque is due to MHD turbulence that transports radially the disk angular momentum. In the jet-emitting disk (JED, Ferreira et Pelletier 1995) mode, magnetically-driven jets carry away mass, energy and all the angular momentum from the disk. Within our framework, the transition from one mode to another is related to the magnetic field distribution, an unknown yet.In this thesis, I have developped a two-temperature plasma code able to compute the thermal balance at each radius for a large ensemble of disk parameters, as well as the self- consistent global emitted spectrum. The radiative cooling term and related spectrum (comptonized bremsstrahlung and synchrotron emission) are obtained using the Belm code (Belmont et al. 2008 ; Belmont 2009). Heating processes are analytical and due only to accretion, while advection is properly taken into account, carrying outside-in the memory of the outer thermal states.Using this code, we have shown that a JED extending along the entire disk nicely repro- duces hard states up to 0.5 Eddington luminosities (Marcel et al. 2018a). It was also shown that JEDs produce a natural hysteresis cycle. However, the global luminosity of the cycle is insufficient and the inevitable presence of jets in JEDs advocates for an inner SAD configuration in soft states.Based on these results, the code was enhanced to solve hybrid configurations with an internal JED and an external SAD, separated by a given transition radius rJ. Playing on both rJ and the accretion rate mdot, we have shown that X-ray observations of typical cycles can be completely covered. Using a simple synchrotron model similar to that of Heinz et Sunyaev (2003), the radio flux produced by the jets can be estimated, showing two important features. First, all radio observations can be covered by our model. Second, the radio flux and X- ray spectral coverages are consistents : parameter sets that reproduce best each spectral state also account for a consistent associated radio flux. For illustration, 5 canonical states from GX 339-4 have been reproduced in X-ray spectral shape and associated radio fluxes (Marcel et al. 2018b).Finaly, using a simple fitting procedure on X-ray spectral shape, the 2010-2011 cycle from GX 339-4 has been reproduced. Strikingly, the co-evolution of rJ and mdot seems to be in adequacy with initial theoretical expectations (Esin et al. 1997). Moreover, the estimated radio flux evolution being close to observations, we decided to use those within the fitting procedure. Adding radio fluxes constraints in the procedure allowed us to reproduce both the associated X-ray spectral shape and radio fluxes with excellent agreement. This is, to our knowledge, the first time that such an accretion-ejection cycle is reproduced. Those results, as well as discussions and implications will be soon submitted.

The number of extrasolar planet discoveries has increased dramatically over the last 15 years. Nearly 700 exoplanets have currently been observed through a variety of observation techniques. Most of the currently documented exoplanets differ greatly from the planets in our own Solar System, with various combinations of eccentric orbits, short orbital periods, and masses many times that of Jupiter. More recently, planets belonging to a new class of `distant gas giants' have also been discovered with orbits of 30 to 100 times that of Jupiter. The wide variety of different planet formation outcomes stem from a complex interplay between gravitational interactions, hydrodynamic interactions and competitive accretion among the planets that is not yet fully understood. Simulations performed using a series of modifications to an existing, widely used hydrodynamic code (FARGO) are presented. The main goal is to develop a more rigorous and robust gas accretion scheme that is valid and consistent for the ranges of exolanetary gas giant masses, eccentricities and semimajor axes that have been observed to better understand the mechanisms involved in their formation. The resulting scheme is a more robust and accurate prescription for gas accretion onto planetary cores in a manner that is mostly resolution independent and valid over a large range of masses (less than an Earth mass to multiple Jupiter masses). The modified scheme accounts for multiple, competing, dynamic accretion mechanisms (including atmospheric effects) and their associated time scales between an arbitrary number of protoplanets. This updated accretion scheme provides a means for exploring the entire formation process of gas giants out of a variety of initial conditions in a self-consistent manner. The modifications made to the code as well as simulation results will be discussed and explored.

In this thesis, we examine the role of accretion disks in the formation of stellar systems, focusing on young massive disks which regulate the flow of material from the parent molecular core down to the star. We study the evolution of disks with high infall rates that develop strong gravitational instabilities. We begin in chapter 1 with a review of the observations and theory which underpin models for the earliest phases of star formation and provide a brief review of basic accretion disk physics, and the numerical methods which we employ. In chapter 2 we outline the current models of binary and multiple star formation, and review their successes and shortcomings from a theoretical and observational perspective. In chapter 3 we begin with a relatively simple analytic model for disks around young, very massive stars, showing that instability in these disks may be responsible for the higher multiplicity fraction of massive stars, and perhaps the upper mass to which they grow. We extend these models in chapter 4 to explore the properties of disks and the formation of binary companions across a broad range of stellar masses. In particular, we model the role of global and local mechanisms for angular momentum transport in regulating the relative masses of disks and stars. We follow the evolution of these disks throughout the main accretion phase of the system, and predict the trajectory of disks through parameter space. We follow up on the predictions made in our analytic models with a series of high resolution, global numerical experiments in chapter 5. Here we propose and test a new parameterization for describing rapidly accreting, gravitationally unstable disks. We find that disk properties and system multiplicity can be mapped out well in this parameter space. Finally, in chapter 6, we address whether our studies of unstable disks are relevant to recently detected massive planets on wide orbits around their central stars.

In this thesis, RXTE observations of 4U 1907+09 are presented. Timing analysis of these data sets have yielded quasi periodic oscillations (QPOs) at orbital phases corresponding to the two flares in every orbital period. Known continuous spin down trend and QPO behaviour at the flares strongly suggest that a transient accretion disk occurs at the flares. Our findings strongly suggested that neutron star passes through the equatorial wind of Be companion star. During these passages a transient disk forms around Be neutron star.

abstract: Understanding the temperature structure of protoplanetary disks (PPDs) is paramount to modeling disk evolution and future planet formation. PPDs around T Tauri stars have two primary heating sources, protostellar irradiation, which depends on the flaring of the disk, and accretional heating as viscous coupling between annuli dissipate energy. I have written a "1.5-D" radiative transfer code to calculate disk temperatures assuming hydrostatic and radiative equilibrium. The model solves for the temperature at all locations simultaneously using Rybicki's method, converges rapidly at high optical depth, and retains full frequency dependence. The likely cause of accretional heating in PPDs is the magnetorotational instability (MRI), which acts where gas ionization is sufficiently high for gas to couple to the magnetic field. This will occur in surface layers of the disk, leaving the interior portions of the disk inactive ("dead zone"). I calculate temperatures in PPDs undergoing such "layered accretion." Since the accretional heating is concentrated far from the midplane, temperatures in the disk's interior are lower than in PPDs modeled with vertically uniform accretion. The method is used to study for the first time disks evolving via the magnetorotational instability, which operates primarily in surface layers. I find that temperatures in layered accretion disks do not significantly differ from those of "passive disks," where no accretional heating exists. Emergent spectra are insensitive to active layer thickness, making it difficult to observationally identify disks undergoing layered vs. uniform accretion. I also calculate the ionization chemistry in PPDs, using an ionization network including multiple charge states of dust grains. Combined with a criterion for the onset of the MRI, I calculate where the MRI can be initiated and the extent of dead zones in PPDs. After accounting for feedback between temperature and active layer thickness, I find the surface density of the actively accreting layers falls rapidly with distance from the protostar, leading to a net outward flow of mass from ~0.1 to 3 AU. The clearing out of the innermost zones is possibly consistent with the observed behavior of recently discovered "transition disks." / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Physics 2012

In this paper, we investigate the relation between disk mass and mass accretion rate to constrain the mechanism of angular momentum transport in protoplanetary disks. We find a correlation between dust disk mass and mass accretion rate in Chamaeleon I with a slope that is close to linear, similar to the one recently identified in Lupus. We investigate the effect of stellar mass and find that the intrinsic scatter around the best-fit M-dust-M star and M-acc-M star relations is uncorrelated. We simulate synthetic observations of an ensemble of evolving disks using a Monte Carlo approach and find that disks with a constant alpha viscosity can fit the observed relations between dust mass, mass accretion rate, and stellar mass but overpredict the strength of the correlation between disk mass and mass accretion rate when using standard initial conditions. We find two possible solutions. In the first one, the observed scatter in M-dust and M-acc is not primordial, but arises from additional physical processes or uncertainties in estimating the disk gas mass. Most likely grain growth and radial drift affect the observable dust mass, while variability on large timescales affects the mass accretion rates. In the second scenario, the observed scatter is primordial, but disks have not evolved substantially at the age of Lupus and Chamaeleon I owing to a low viscosity or a large initial disk radius. More accurate estimates of the disk mass and gas disk sizes in a large sample of protoplanetary disks, through either direct observations of the gas or spatially resolved multiwavelength observations of the dust with ALMA, are needed to discriminate between both scenarios or to constrain alternative angular momentum transport mechanisms such as MHD disk winds.

Non-ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects may play a significant role in determining the dynamics, thermal properties, and observational signatures of radiatively inefficient accretion flows onto black holes. In particular, particle acceleration during magnetic reconnection events may influence black hole spectra and flaring properties. We use representative general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations of black hole accretion flows to identify and explore the structures and properties of current sheets as potential sites of magnetic reconnection. In the case of standard and normal evolution (SANE) disks, we find that in the reconnection sites, the plasma beta ranges from 0.1 to 1000, the magnetization ranges from 10(-4) to 1, and the guide fields are weak compared with the reconnecting fields. In magnetically arrested (MAD) disks, we find typical values for plasma beta from 10(-2) to 10(3), magnetizations from 10(-3) to 10, and typically stronger guide fields, with strengths comparable to or greater than the reconnecting fields. These are critical parameters that govern the electron energy distribution resulting from magnetic reconnection and can be used in the context of plasma simulations to provide microphysics inputs to global simulations. We also find that ample magnetic energy is available in the reconnection regions to power the fluence of bright X-ray flares observed from the black hole in the center of the Milky Way.