Measuring the Spins of Black Holes

          @misc{ pirsa_PIRSA:14110063,
            doi = {10.48660/14110063},
            url = {https://pirsa.org/14110063},
            author = {McClintock, Jeff},
            keywords = {Strong Gravity},
            language = {en},
            title = {Measuring the Spins of Black Holes},
            publisher = {Perimeter Institute},
            year = {2014},
            month = {nov},
            note = {PIRSA:14110063 see, \url{https://pirsa.org}}
          }
          

Abstract

Both the continuum-fitting and Fe-line methods of measuring black hole spin will be discussed and compared, with attention to sources of systematic error. Both methods rely on estimating the inner radius of the black hole's accretion disk and identifying it with the radius of the ISCO. The Fe-line method is extremely important because of its dominant role in measuring the spins of supermassive black holes, which is problematic for the continuum-fitting method. Meantime, both methods are applicable to stellar-mass black holes, and we will discuss current efforts to cross-check the spins of individual black holes. Finally, a comprehensive summary of spin results for both stellar-mass and supermassive black holes will be presented.