scholarly journals Variability of winds in X-ray binaries

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S290) ◽  
pp. 25-28
Author(s):  
M. Díaz Trigo ◽  
L. Boirin ◽  
S. Migliari ◽  
J. Miller-Jones ◽  
A. Parmar ◽  
...  

AbstractWe discuss the variability of winds in two low-mass X-ray binaries, GX 13+1 and 4U 1630-47. XMM-Newton observations of these sources show that strong, photoionised winds with column densities well above 1022 cm−2 can be present in both neutron star and black hole LMXBs. Such winds can fade significantly due to changes in the flux or spectral hardness of the continuum. In particular, a decrease of column density and/or an increase of ionisation are measured when the flux increases or the spectrum hardens. We show how variability studies can help us to understand what triggers changes in the wind and discuss the limitations of current instruments for such studies.

2021 ◽  
Vol 502 (1) ◽  
pp. L72-L78
Author(s):  
K Mohamed ◽  
E Sonbas ◽  
K S Dhuga ◽  
E Göğüş ◽  
A Tuncer ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Similar to black hole X-ray binary transients, hysteresis-like state transitions are also seen in some neutron-star X-ray binaries. Using a method based on wavelets and light curves constructed from archival Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer observations, we extract a minimal timescale over the complete range of transitions for 4U 1608-52 during the 2002 and 2007 outbursts and the 1999 and 2000 outbursts for Aql X-1. We present evidence for a strong positive correlation between this minimal timescale and a similar timescale extracted from the corresponding power spectra of these sources.


Author(s):  
R Pattnaik ◽  
K Sharma ◽  
K Alabarta ◽  
D Altamirano ◽  
M Chakraborty ◽  
...  

Abstract Low Mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) are binary systems where one of the components is either a black hole or a neutron star and the other is a less massive star. It is challenging to unambiguously determine whether a LMXB hosts a black hole or a neutron star. In the last few decades, multiple observational works have tried, with different levels of success, to address this problem. In this paper, we explore the use of machine learning to tackle this observational challenge. We train a random forest classifier to identify the type of compact object using the energy spectrum in the energy range 5-25 keV obtained from the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer archive. We report an average accuracy of 87±13% in classifying the spectra of LMXB sources. We further use the trained model for predicting the classes for LMXB systems with unknown or ambiguous classification. With the ever-increasing volume of astronomical data in the X-ray domain from present and upcoming missions (e.g., SWIFT, XMM-Newton, XARM, ATHENA, NICER), such methods can be extremely useful for faster and robust classification of X-ray sources and can also be deployed as part of the data reduction pipeline.


1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 775-778
Author(s):  
Simon Portegies Zwart ◽  
Frank Verbunt ◽  
Ene Ergma

We study the formation of low-mass X-ray binaries with a black hole as accreting object. The performed semi-analytic analysis reveals that the formation rate of black holes in low-mass X-ray binaries is about two orders of magnitude smaller than that of systems with a neutron star as accretor. This is contradicted by the six observed systems, which are all transients, which suggest that the majority of these systems has not been seen jet. The birthrate for both type of objects are expected to be similar (for reviews see Cowley 1992, Tanaka & Lewin 1995).


2014 ◽  
Vol 443 (4) ◽  
pp. 3270-3283 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Muñoz-Darias ◽  
R. P. Fender ◽  
S. E. Motta ◽  
T. M. Belloni

1996 ◽  
Vol 165 ◽  
pp. 93-103
Author(s):  
Roger W. Romani

The presence of accreting black holes (BH) among the X-ray binaries has been recognized for many years. Traditionally, Cyg X-1 and the handful of other candidates have been thought of as cousins of the HMXB neutron star systems. Recent studies of the soft X-ray transients such as A 0620-00 have, however, shown that the dynamical evidence makes these low-mass systems very strong black-hole candidates. Further, analysis of the eventual end-states of various high-mass X-ray binaries suggest that some could end as observable BH-pulsar binaries, although the first such system is yet to be discovered.


1998 ◽  
Vol 188 ◽  
pp. 107-110
Author(s):  
J. H. Swank

Millisecond time-scales are natural for some neutron star and black hole processes, although possibly difficult to observe. The Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) has found that for the neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXB) there are flux oscillations at high frequencies, with large amplitudes. Z sources and bursters tend to exhibit oscillations in the range 300-1200 Hz. Persistent emission may exhibit one or both of two features. In bursts from different bursters, a nearly coherent pulsation is seen, which may be the rotation period of the neutron star. For some the frequency equals the difference between the two higher frequencies, suggesting a beat frequency model, but in others it is twice the difference. The sources span two orders of magnitude in accretion rate, yet the properties are similar. The similar maximum frequencies suggests that it corresponds to the Kepler orbit frequency at the minimum stable orbit or the neutron star surface, either of which would determine the neutron star masses, radii and equation of state. Theories of accretion onto black holes predict a quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) related to the inner accretion disk. The two microquasar black hole candidates (BHCs) have exhibited candidates for this or related frequencies.


2004 ◽  
Vol 194 ◽  
pp. 214-214
Author(s):  
Dawn M. Gelino

Low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) contain compact, black hole (BH) or neutron star (NS) primaries, and cool, low-mass secondary stars. We measure the orbital inclination of the system in quiescence by modeling infrared (IR) ellipsoidal variations from the secondary star in order to determine the compact object mass. I present our results for a few LMXBs, including the first BH that appears to conclusively fall in the 3-5 M⊙ range.


2004 ◽  
Vol 194 ◽  
pp. 71-72
Author(s):  
R. Barnard

AbstractWe have devised a new technique for identifying stellar mass black holes in low mass X-ray binaries, and have applied it to XMM-Newton observations of two X-ray sources in M31. In particular we search for low accretion rate power density spectra; these are very similar for all LMXB, whether the primary is a black hole or a neutron star. Galactic neutron star LMXB exhibit these distinctive PDS at very low luminosities (~ 1036 erg s–1) while black hole LMXB can exhibit them at luminosities > 1038 erg s–1! Following the work of van der Klis (1994), we assume a maximum accretion rate (as a fraction of the Eddington limit) for low accretion rate PDS that is constant for all LMXB, and obtain an empirical value of ~10% Eddington. We have so far discovered two candidate black hole binaries in M31, exhibiting low accretion rate PDS at up to 3 x 1038 and 5 x 1037 erg s–1. If we assume that they are at <10% Eddington, they have minimum masses of 20 and 4 M⊙ respectively. Furthermore, any LMXB exhibiting a low accretion rate power density spectrum at a luminosity > 5 x 1037 erg s–1 is likely to have a black hole primary.


2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (A) ◽  
pp. 659-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Díaz Trigo ◽  
Laurence Boirin

We review the current status of studies of disc atmospheres and winds in low mass X-ray binaries. We discuss the possible wind launching mechanisms and compare the predictions of the models with the existent observations. We conclude that a combination of thermal and radiative pressure (the latter being relevant at high luminosities) can explain the current observations of atmospheres and winds in both neutron star and black hole binaries. Moreover, these winds and atmospheres could contribute significantly to the broad iron emission line observed in these systems.


2007 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 1532-1537
Author(s):  
Simon E. Shaw ◽  
Ada Paizis ◽  
Nami Mowlavi ◽  
Stéphane Paltani ◽  
Thierry J.-L. Courvoisier ◽  
...  

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