Recently, Chartas et al. (2001) detected a rapid X-ray flare in the gravitationally lensed, multiple image quasar RX J0911.4+0551. Dramatic events, such as rapid X-ray flares, are useful in providing ...high precision measurements of the time delays between multiple images. In this paper, we argue that there is a new possibility in measurements of time delays between multiple images of gravitationally lensed quasars; constrain the locations of putative flares that give rise to the intrinsic rapid variabilities of quasars. The realization, however, of these goals cannot be presently achieved due to the limited accuracy of the current measurements. We predict that timing flares with accuracies of the order of a few seconds will be needed to probe the location of the flares. Our proposing method will work with better instruments in near future, such as XEUS.
The innermost regions of quasars can be resolved by a gravitational-lens
{\lq}telescope{\rq} on scales down to a few AU. For the purpose, X-ray
observations are most preferable, because X-rays ...originating from the innermost
regions, can be selectively amplified by microlensing due to the so-called
`caustic crossing'. If detected, X-ray variations will constrain the size of
the X-ray emitting region down to a few AU. The maximum attainable resolution
depends mainly on the monitoring intervals of lens events, which should be much
shorter than the crossing time. On the basis of this idea, we performe
numerical simulations of microlensing of an optically-thick, standard-type disk
as well as an optically-thin, advection-dominated accretion flow (ADAF).
Calculated spectral variations and light curves show distinct behaviors,
depending on the photon energy. X-ray radiation which is produced in optically
thin region, exhibits intensity variation over a few tens of days. In contrast,
optical-UV fluxes, which are likely to come from optically thick region,
exhibit more gradual light changes, which is consistent with the microlensing
events so far observed in Q2237+0305.
Currently, Q2237+0305 is being monitored in the optical range at Apache Point
Observatory. Simultaneous multi-wavelength observations by X-ray sattelites
(e.g., ASCA, AXAF, XMM) as well as HST at the moment of a microlens event
enable us to reveal an AU scale structure of the central accretion disk around
black hole.
The innermost regions of quasars can be resolved by a gravitational-lens {\lq}telescope{\rq} on scales down to a few AU. For the purpose, X-ray observations are most preferable, because X-rays ...originating from the innermost regions, can be selectively amplified by microlensing due to the so-called `caustic crossing'. If detected, X-ray variations will constrain the size of the X-ray emitting region down to a few AU. The maximum attainable resolution depends mainly on the monitoring intervals of lens events, which should be much shorter than the crossing time. On the basis of this idea, we performe numerical simulations of microlensing of an optically-thick, standard-type disk as well as an optically-thin, advection-dominated accretion flow (ADAF). Calculated spectral variations and light curves show distinct behaviors, depending on the photon energy. X-ray radiation which is produced in optically thin region, exhibits intensity variation over a few tens of days. In contrast, optical-UV fluxes, which are likely to come from optically thick region, exhibit more gradual light changes, which is consistent with the microlensing events so far observed in Q2237+0305. Currently, Q2237+0305 is being monitored in the optical range at Apache Point Observatory. Simultaneous multi-wavelength observations by X-ray sattelites (e.g., ASCA, AXAF, XMM) as well as HST at the moment of a microlens event enable us to reveal an AU scale structure of the central accretion disk around black hole.
