Possible X-Ray Diagnostic for Jet/Disk Dominance in Type 1 AGNs

Using Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer Seyfert 1 and 1.2 data spanning 9 years, we study correlations between X-ray spectral features. The sample consists of 350 time-resolved spectra from 12 Seyfert 1 and 1.2 galaxies. Each spectrum is fitted to a model with an intrinsic power-law X-ray spectrum produced close to the central black hole that is reprocessed and absorbed by material around the black hole. To test the robustness of our results, we performed Monte Carlo simulations of the spectral sample. We find a complex relationship between the iron line equivalent width (EW) and the underlying power-law index (Γ). The data reveal a correlation between Γ and EW, which turns over at Γ ≲ 2, but finds a weak anticorrelation for steeper photon indices. We propose that this relationship is driven by dilution of a disk spectrum (which includes the narrow iron line) by a beamed jet component and hence could be used as a diagnostic of jet dominance. In addition, our sample shows a strong correlation between R and Γ, but we find that it is likely the result of modeling degeneracies. We also see the X-ray Baldwin effect (an anticorrelation between the 2-10 keV X-ray luminosity and EW) for the sample as a whole, but not for the individual galaxies and galaxy types.