scholarly journals A two-component Comptonisation model for the type-B QPO in MAXI J1348–630

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico García ◽  
Mariano Méndez ◽  
Konstantinos Karpouzas ◽  
Tomaso Belloni ◽  
Liang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Black Hole ◽  
Radiative Properties ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Type B ◽  
Hard Component ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Geometrical Properties ◽  
Relativistic Jet ◽  
Rms Amplitude

Abstract Spectral-timing analysis of the fast variability observed in X-rays is a powerful tool to study the physical and geometrical properties of the accretion/ejection flows in black-hole binaries. The origin of type-B quasi-periodic oscillations (QPO), predominantly observed in black-hole candidates in the soft-intermediate state, has been linked to emission arising from the relativistic jet. In this state, the X-ray spectrum is characterised by a soft-thermal blackbody-like emission due to the accretion disc, an iron emission line (in the 6–7 keV range), and a power-law like hard component due to Inverse-Compton scattering of the soft-photon source by hot electrons in a corona or the relativistic jet itself. The spectral-timing properties of MAXI J1348–630 have been recently studied using observations obtained with the NICER observatory. The data show a strong type-B QPO at ∼4.5 Hz with increasing fractional rms amplitude with energy and positive lags with respect to a reference band at 2–2.5 keV. We use a variable-Comptonisation model that assumes a sinusoidal coherent oscillation of the Comptonised X-ray flux and the physical parameters of the corona at the QPO frequency, to fit simultaneously the energy-dependent fractional rms amplitude and phase lags of this QPO. We show that two physically-connected Comptonisation regions can successfully explain the radiative properties of the QPO in the full 0.8–10 keV energy range.

scholarly journals The X-ray/UV ratio in active galactic nuclei: dispersion and variability

2018 ◽  
Vol 619 ◽  
pp. A95 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Chiaraluce ◽  
F. Vagnetti ◽  
F. Tombesi ◽  
M. Paolillo
Keyword(s):  
Black Hole ◽  
Cosmological Parameters ◽  
Multivariate Regression Analysis ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Distance Modulus ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Viewing Angle ◽  
Black Hole Mass ◽  
Intrinsic Variability ◽  
X Ray

Context. The well established negative correlation between the αOX spectral slope and the optical/ultraviolet (UV) luminosity, a by-product of the relation between X-rays and optical/UV luminosity, is affected by relatively large dispersion. The main contributors to this dispersion can be variability in the X-ray/UV ratio and/or changes in fundamental physical parameters. Aims. We want to quantify the contribution from variability within single sources (intra-source dispersion) and that from variations of other quantities different from source to source (inter-source dispersion). Methods. We use archival data from the XMM-Newton Serendipitous Source Catalog (XMMSSC) and from the XMM-OM Serendipitous Ultraviolet Source Survey (XMMOM-SUSS3). We select a sub-sample in order to decrease the dispersion of the relation due to the presence of radio-loud and broad absorption line objects, and that due to absorptions in both X-ray and optical/UV bands. We use the structure function (SF) to estimate the contribution from variability to the dispersion. We analyse the dependence of the residuals of the relation on various physical parameters in order to characterise the inter-source dispersion. Results. We find a total dispersion of σ ∼ 0.12 and find that intrinsic variability contributes 56% of the variance of the αOX − LUV relation. If we select only sources with a larger number of observational epochs (≥3) the dispersion of the relation decreases by approximately 15%. We find weak but significant dependencies of the residuals of the relation on black-hole mass and on Eddington ratio, which are also confirmed by a multivariate regression analysis of αOX as a function of UV luminosity and black-hole mass and/or Eddington ratio. We find a weak positive correlation of both the αOX index and the residuals of the αOX − LUV relation with inclination indicators, such as the full width at half maximum (Hβ) and the equivalent width (EW)[OIII], suggesting a weak increase of X-ray/UV ratio with the viewing angle. This suggests the development of new viewing angle indicators possibly applicable at higher redshifts. Moreover, our results suggest the possibility of selecting a sample of objects, based on their viewing angle and/or black-hole mass and Eddington ratio, for which the αOX − LUV relation is as tight as possible, in light of the use of the optical/UV – X-ray luminosity relation to build a distance modulus (DM)-z plane and estimate cosmological parameters.

scholarly journals A quantitative explanation of the type-B QPOs in GX 339–4

2020 ◽  
Vol 640 ◽  
pp. L16
Author(s):  
Nikolaos D. Kylafis ◽  
Pablo Reig ◽  
Iossif Papadakis
Keyword(s):  
Black Hole ◽  
Photon Number ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Polar Angle ◽  
Periodic Variation ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Type B ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Bulk Motion ◽  
Photon Index

Context. Type-B quasi periodic oscillations (QPOs) in black-hole X-ray binaries are a class of low-frequency QPOs that are observed in the soft intermediate state in the rising and the declining phases of an outburst. They are suspected to result from the precession of the jet that is ejected from the source. Aims. The objective of the present work is to investigate in detail the emissivity of the jet in hard X-rays and to see whether the type-B QPOs from GX 339−4, which is the best studied black-hole transient, can be explained quantitatively with a precessing jet. Methods. We used our simple jet model, which invokes Comptonization in the jet, and examined the angular dependence of the upscattered photons that emerge from the jet and their energy distribution, which is a power law. Results. Due to the elongation of the jet, assisted by the bulk motion of the electrons, the angular distribution of the emerging hard X-ray photons from the jet is not isotropic. More importantly, the photon-number spectral index, Γ, is an increasing function of the polar angle, θ, with respect to the axis of the jet. If the jet is fixed, then an observer at infinity sees the photon index, Γ, which corresponds to this specific observational direction. However, if the jet is precessing, then the observer sees a periodic variation of Γ with the precession period. Such a periodic variation of Γ has been observed in GX 339−4 and in this work, we reproduce it quantitatively, using our model. Conclusions. Our jet model nicely explains through quantitative means the type-B QPOs seen in GX 339−4 as originating from a precessing jet. The given model has previously explained several observed correlations thus far.

scholarly journals Multiwavelength Modeling the SED of Strongly Interacting Binaries

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (S282) ◽  
pp. 65-66
Author(s):  
Augustin Skopal
Keyword(s):  
Physical Parameters ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Physical Processes ◽  
Short Contribution ◽  
Composite Spectrum ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Strongly Interacting ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
X Ray Binaries

AbstractThe spectrum of strongly interacting binaries, as for example, high and low mass X-ray binaries, symbiotic (X-ray) binaries and/or classical and recurrent novae, consists of more components of radiation contributing from hard X-rays to radio wavelengths. To understand the basic physical processes responsible for the observed spectrum we have to disentangle the composite spectrum into its individual components, i.e. to determine their physical parameters. In this short contribution I demonstrate the method of modeling the multiwavelength SED on the example of the extragalactic super-soft X-ray source RX J0059.1-7505 (LIN 358).

scholarly journals 1/4 Ke V Diffuse Background and the Local Interstellar Medium

1989 ◽  
Vol 120 ◽  
pp. 536-536
Author(s):  
S.L. Snowden
Keyword(s):  
Interstellar Medium ◽  
Filling Factor ◽  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Mean Free Path ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Local Interstellar Medium ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Diffuse Background ◽  
X Ray Background

The 1/4 keV diffuse X-ray background (SXRB) is discussed in relation to the local interstellar medium (LISM). The most likely source for these soft X-rays is thermal emission from a hot diffuse plasma. The existence of a non-zero flux from all directions and the short ISM mean free path of these X-rays (1020HI cm-2), coupled with ISM pressure constraints, imply that the plasma has a local component and that it must, at least locally (nearest hundred parsecs), have a large filling factor. Our understanding of the geometry and physical parameters of the LISM is therefore directly tied to our understanding of the SXRB.

scholarly journals Radio and X-ray connection in radio mini-halos: Implications for hadronic models

2020 ◽  
Vol 640 ◽  
pp. A37 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Ignesti ◽  
G. Brunetti ◽  
M. Gitti ◽  
S. Giacintucci
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Relativistic Electrons ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Hadronic Model ◽  
Radio Halos

Context. A large fraction of cool-core clusters are known to host diffuse, steep-spectrum radio sources, called radio mini-halos, in their cores. Mini-halos reveal the presence of relativistic particles on scales of hundreds of kiloparsecs, beyond the scales directly influenced by the central active galactic nucleus (AGN), but the nature of the mechanism that produces such a population of radio-emitting, relativistic electrons is still debated. It is also unclear to what extent the AGN plays a role in the formation of mini-halos by providing the seeds of the relativistic population. Aims. In this work we explore the connection between thermal and non-thermal components of the intra-cluster medium in a sample of radio mini-halos and we study the implications within the framework of a hadronic model for the origin of the emitting electrons. Methods. For the first time, we studied the thermal and non-thermal connection by carrying out a point-to-point comparison of the radio and the X-ray surface brightness in a sample of radio mini-halos. We extended the method generally applied to giant radio halos by considering the effects of a grid randomly generated through a Monte Carlo chain. Then we used the radio and X-ray correlation to constrain the physical parameters of a hadronic model and we compared the model predictions with current observations. Results. Contrary to what is generally reported in the literature for giant radio halos, we find that the mini-halos in our sample have super-linear scaling between radio and X-rays, which suggests a peaked distribution of relativistic electrons and magnetic field. We explore the consequences of our findings on models of mini-halos. We use the four mini-halos in the sample that have a roundish brightness distribution to constrain model parameters in the case of a hadronic origin of the mini-halos. Specifically, we focus on a model where cosmic rays are injected by the central AGN and they generate secondaries in the intra-cluster medium, and we assume that the role of turbulent re-acceleration is negligible. This simple model allows us to constrain the AGN cosmic ray luminosity in the range ∼1044−46 erg s−1 and the central magnetic field in the range 10–40 μG. The resulting γ-ray fluxes calculated assuming these model parameters do not violate the upper limits on γ-ray diffuse emission set by the Fermi-LAT telescope. Further studies are now required to explore the consistency of these large magnetic fields with Faraday rotation studies and to study the interplay between the secondary electrons and the intra-cluster medium turbulence.

scholarly journals Mass transfer on a nuclear timescale in models of supergiant and ultra-luminous X-ray binaries

2019 ◽  
Vol 628 ◽  
pp. A19 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Quast ◽  
N. Langer ◽  
T. M. Tauris
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Roche Lobe ◽  
High Mass ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Mass Ratios ◽  
X Ray Binaries ◽  
Eddington Limit

Context. The origin and number of the Galactic supergiant X-ray binaries is currently not well understood. They consist of an evolved massive star and a neutron star or black-hole companion. X-rays are thought to be generated from the accretion of wind material donated by the supergiant, while mass transfer due to Roche-lobe overflow is mostly disregarded because the high mass ratios of these systems are thought to render this process unstable. Aims. We investigate how the proximity of supergiant donor stars to the Eddington limit, and their advanced evolutionary stage, may influence the evolution of massive and ultra-luminous X-ray binaries with supergiant donor stars (SGXBs and ULXs). Methods. We constructed models of massive stars with different internal hydrogen and helium gradients (H/He gradients) and different hydrogen-rich envelope masses, and exposed them to slow mass-loss to probe the response of the stellar radius. In addition, we computed the corresponding Roche-lobe overflow mass-transfer evolution with our detailed binary stellar evolution code, approximating the compact objects as point masses. Results. We find that a H/He gradient in the layers beneath the surface, as it is likely present in the well-studied donor stars of observed SGBXs, can enable mass transfer in SGXBs on a nuclear timescale with a black-hole or a neutron star accretor, even for mass ratios in excess of 20. In our binary evolution models, the donor stars rapidly decrease their thermal equilibrium radius and can therefore cope with the inevitably strong orbital contraction imposed by the high mass ratio. We find that the orbital period derivatives of our models agree well with empirical values. We argue that the SGXB phase may be preceded by a common-envelope evolution. The envelope inflation near the Eddington limit means that this mechanism more likely occurs at high metallicity. Conclusion. Our results open a new perspective for understanding that SGBXs are numerous in our Galaxy and are almost completely absent in the Small Magellanic Cloud. Our results may also offer a way to find more ULX systems, to detect mass transfer on nuclear timescales in ULX systems even with neutron star accretors, and shed new light on the origin of the strong B-field in these neutron stars.

scholarly journals X-ray Interferometry

2001 ◽  
Vol 205 ◽  
pp. 457-462
Author(s):  
Webster Cash
Keyword(s):  
Black Hole ◽  
Event Horizon ◽  
Surface Brightness ◽  
High Surface ◽  
X Rays ◽  
High Surface Brightness ◽  
X Ray

X-rays have tremendous potential for imaging at the highest angular resulution. The high surface brightness of many x-ray sources will reveal angular scales heretofore thought unreachable. The short wavelengths make instrumentation compact and baselines short. We discuss how practical x-ray interferometers can be built for astronomy using existing technology. We describe the Maxim Pathfinder and Maxim missions which will achieve 100 and 0.1 micro-arcsecond imaging respectively. The science to be tackled with resolution of up to one million times that of HST will be outlined, with emphasis on eventually imaging the event horizon of a black hole.

scholarly journals Absorption and Production of Soft X-Rays in the Galaxy

1973 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
pp. 235-249
Author(s):  
S. Hayakawa
Keyword(s):  
Emission Lines ◽  
Interstellar Matter ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Diffuse Component ◽  
Number Density ◽  
High Number Density ◽  
Hard Component ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Cygnus Loop ◽  
The Galaxy

The column densities of interstellar hydrogen to X-ray sources derived from their spectra are compared with those obtained from 21 cm radio observations. Referring to several observed results on Cyg X-2, Cygnus Loop etc., the interpretation of the low energy cut-off of the spectrum in terms of the interstellar absorption is subject to ambiguities due to a modification of the emission spectrum by Compton scattering in the sources and the contribution of emission lines.The result of soft X-ray sky surveys indicates that the diffuse component of soft X-rays consists of the extragalactic and the galactic components. The former has a hard component with a power law spectrum and a soft component which may be represented by an exponential spectrum. The galactic component is so soft that its spectrum may also be explained by thermal bremsstrahlung of temperature of about 0.1 keV. Its generation rate may account for the heating and ionization of interstellar matter. It is suggested that galactic diffuse soft X-rays are produced by active stars of a rather high number density.

scholarly journals Gamma-ray-emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies: the Swift view

2020 ◽  
Vol 496 (2) ◽  
pp. 2213-2229 ◽  
Author(s):  
F D’Ammando
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Optical Emission ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Narrow Line ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Relativistic Jet ◽  
Photon Index ◽  
Γ Ray ◽  
Lower Variability

ABSTRACT We report the analysis of all Swift observations available up to 2019 April of γ-ray-emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLSy1). The distribution of X-ray luminosities (and fluxes) indicates that the jet radiation significantly contributes to their X-ray emission, with Doppler boosting making values higher than other radio-loud NLSy1. The 0.3–10 keV photon indices are on average harder with respect to radio-quiet and radio-loud NLSy1, confirming a dominant jet contribution in X-rays. However, the lower variability amplitude with respect to blazars and the softening of the spectrum in some periods suggests that also the corona radiation contributes to the X-ray emission. In optical and ultraviolet (UV) significant flux changes have been observed on daily, weekly, and monthly time-scale, providing a clear indication of the significant contribution of the jet radiation in this part of spectrum. A strong correlation between X-ray, UV, and optical emission and simultaneous flux variations have been observed in 1H 0323+342, SBS 0846+513, PMN J0948+0022 as expected in case the jet radiation is the dominant mechanism. Correlated multiband variability favours the jet-dominated scenario also in FBQS J1644+2619 and PKS 2004−447. The summed X-ray Telescope spectra of 1H 0323+342, SBS 0846+513, PMN J0948+0022, and FBQS J1644+2619 are well fitted by a broken power law with a break around 2 keV. The spectrum above 2 keV is dominated by the non-thermal emission from a beamed relativistic jet, as suggested by the hard photon index. A Seyfert-like feature like the soft X-ray excess has been observed below 2 keV, making these γ-ray-emitting NLSy1 different from typical blazars.

scholarly journals Glimpses of the past activity of Sgr A★ inferred from X-ray echoes in Sgr C

2018 ◽  
Vol 610 ◽  
pp. A34 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Chuard ◽  
R. Terrier ◽  
A. Goldwurm ◽  
M. Clavel ◽  
S. Soldi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Monte Carlo Model ◽  
Line Of Sight ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Supermassive Black Hole ◽  
The Past ◽  
Sgr A ◽  
Past Activity

Context. For a decade now, evidence has accumulated that giant molecular clouds located within the central molecular zone of our Galaxy reflect X-rays coming from past outbursts of the Galactic supermassive black hole. However, the number of illuminating events as well as their ages and durations are still unresolved questions. Aims. We aim to reconstruct parts of the history of the supermassive black hole Sgr A★ by studying this reflection phenomenon in the molecular complex Sgr C and by determining the line-of-sight positions of its main bright substructures. Methods. Using observations made with the X-ray observatories XMM-Newton and Chandra and between 2000 and 2014, we investigated the variability of the reflected emission, which consists of a Fe Kα line at 6.4 keV and a Compton continuum. We carried out an imaging and a spectral analysis. We also used a Monte Carlo model of the reflected spectra to constrain the line-of-sight positions of the brightest clumps, and hence to assign an approximate date to the associated illuminating events. Results. We show that the Fe Kα emission from Sgr C exhibits significant variability in both space and time, which confirms its reflection origin. The most likely illuminating source is Sgr A★. On the one hand, we report two distinct variability timescales, as one clump undergoes a sudden rise and fall in about 2005, while two others vary smoothly throughout the whole 2000–2014 period. On the other hand, by fitting the Monte Carlo model to the data, we are able to place tight constraints on the 3D positions of the clumps. These two independent approaches provide a consistent picture of the past activity of Sgr A★, since the two slowly varying clumps are located on the same wavefront, while the third (rapidly varying) clump corresponds to a different wavefront, that is, to a different illuminating event. Conclusions. This work shows that Sgr A★ experienced at least two powerful outbursts in the past 300 yrs, and for the first time, we provide an estimation of their age. Extending this approach to other molecular complexes, such as Sgr A, will allow this two-event scenario to be tested further.

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