Magnetized Accretion inside the Marginally Stable Orbit around a Black Hole

Abstract

Qualitative arguments are presented in order to demonstrate that the energy density of magnetic fields in matter accreting onto a black hole inside the marginally stable orbit is automatically comparable to the rest-mass energy density of the accretion flow. Several consequences follow: magnetic effects must be dynamically significant but cannot be so strong as to dominate; the outward energy transport in Alfvén waves may alter the effective efficiency of energy liberation; and vertical magnetic stresses in this region may contribute to "coronal" activity.