Superorbital period variations in the X-ray pulsar LMC X-4

We report the discovery of a decay in the superorbital period of the binary X-ray pulsar LMC X-4. Combining archival data and published long term X-ray light curves, we have found a decay in the third period in this system (P ∼ 30.3 day, P ∼ −2 × 10⁻⁵ s s⁻¹). Along with this result, a comparison of the superorbital intensity variations in LMC X-4, Her X-1 and SMC X-1 is also presented.     

Correlated optical and X-ray variability in LMC X-2

We have obtained high time resolution (seconds) photometry of LMC X-2 in 1997 December, simultaneously with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer ( RXTE ), in order to search for correlated X-ray and optical variability on time-scales from seconds to hours. We find that the optical and X-ray data are correlated only when the source is in a high, active X-ray state. Our analysis shows evidence for the X-ray emission leading the optical with a mean delay of <20 s. The time-scale for the lag can be reconciled with disc reprocessing, driven by the higher-energy X-rays, only by considering the lower limit for the delay. The results are compared with a similar analysis of archival data of Sco X-1.     

A good long look at the black hole candidates LMC X-1 and LMC X-3

LMC X-1 and LMC X-3 are the only known persistent stellar-mass black-hole candidates that have almost always shown spectra that are dominated by a soft, thermal component. We present here results from 170-ks-long Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer ( RXTE ) observations of these objects, taken in 1996 December, where their spectra can be described by a disc blackbody plus an additional soft     high-energy power law (detected up to energies of 50 keV in LMC X-3). These observations, as well as archival Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics ( ASCA ) observations, constrain any narrow Fe line present in the spectra to have an equivalent width ≲90 eV. Stronger, broad lines (≈150 eV EW,     are permitted. We also study the variability of LMC X-1. Its X-ray power spectral density (PSD) is approximately proportional to     between 10⁻³ and 0.3 Hz with a root-mean-square (rms) variability of ≈7 per cent. At energies >5 keV, the PSD shows evidence of a break at     possibly indicating an outer disc radius of ≲1000  GM c ² in this likely wind-fed system. Furthermore, the coherence function     a measure of the degree of linear correlation between variability in the >5 keV band and variability in the lower energy bands, is extremely low (≲50 per cent). We discuss the implications of these observations for the mechanisms that might be producing the soft and hard X-rays in these systems.     

Searching for periodicities in the MACHO light curve of LMC X-2

Using the exceptional long-term monitoring capabilities of the MACHO project, we present here the optical history of LMC X-2 for a continuous 6-yr period. These data were used to investigate the previously claimed periodicities for this source of 8.15 h and 12.54 d: we find upper limits of 0.10 mag and 0.09 mag, respectively.     

X-ray spectral evolution of the extragalactic Z source LMC X-2

We present the results obtained by a detailed study of the extragalactic Z source LMC X-2, using broad-band Suzaku data and a large (∼750 ks) data set obtained with the proportional counter array (PCA) onboard the Rossi X-ray Timing Experiment ( RXTE ). The PCA data allow the study of the complete spectral evolution along the horizontal, normal and flaring branches of the Z track. Comparison with previous studies shows that the details of spectral evolution (like the variation of Comptonizing electron temperature) are similar to those of GX 17+2 but unlike those of Cyg X-2 and GX 349+2. This suggests that Z sources are a heterogeneous group, with perhaps LMC X-2 and GX 17+2 being members of a subclass. However, non-monotonic evolution of the Compton y parameter seems to be generic to all sources. The broad-band Suzaku data reveal that the case in which the additional soft component of the source is modelled as disc blackbody emission is strongly preferred over the one where it is taken to be a blackbody spectrum. This component, as well as the temperature of seed photons, does not vary when the source goes into flaring mode, and the entire variation can be ascribed to the Comptonizing cloud. The bolometric unabsorbed luminosity of the source is constrained to be  ∼2.23 × 10³⁸ erg s⁻¹  , which, if the source is Eddington-limited, implies a neutron star mass of  1.6 M_⊙  . We discuss the implications of these results.     

Linking jet emission and X-ray properties in the peculiar neutron star X-ray binary Circinus X-1

We present the results of simultaneous X-ray and radio observations of the peculiar Z-type neutron star X-ray binary Cir X-1, observed with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer satellite and the Australia Telescope Compact Array in 2000 October and 2002 December. We identify typical Z-source behaviour in the power density spectra as well as characteristic Z patterns drawn in an X-ray hardness–intensity diagram. Power spectra typical of bright atoll sources have also been identified at orbital phases after the periastron passage, while orbital phases before the periastron passage are characterized by power spectra that are typical neither of Z nor of atoll sources. We investigate the coupling between the X-ray and the radio properties, focusing on three orbital phases when an enhancement of the radio flux density has been detected, to test the link between the inflow (X-ray) and the outflow (radio jet) to/from the compact object. In two out of three cases, we associate the presence of the radio jet to a spectral transition in the X-rays, although the transition does not precede the radio flare, as detected in other Z sources. An analogous behaviour has recently been found in the black hole candidate GX 339-4. In the third case, the radio light curve shows a similar shape to the X-ray light curve. We discuss our results in the context of jet models, considering also black hole candidates.     

Application of a relativistic accretion disc model to X-ray spectra of LMC X-1 and GRO J1655-40

We present a general relativistic accretion disc model and its application to the soft-state X-ray spectra of black hole binaries. The model assumes a flat, optically thick disc around a rotating Kerr black hole. The disc locally radiates away the dissipated energy as a blackbody. Special and general relativistic effects influencing photons emitted by the disc are taken into account. The emerging spectrum, as seen by a distant observer, is parametrized by the black hole mass and spin, the accretion rate, the disc inclination angle and the inner disc radius.
We fit the ASCA soft-state X-ray spectra of LMC X-1 and GRO J1655-40 by this model. We find that, having additional limits on the black hole mass and inclination angle from optical/UV observations, we can constrain the black hole spin from X-ray data. In LMC X-1 the constraint is weak, and we can only rule out the maximally rotating black hole. In GRO J1655-40 we can limit the spin much better, and we find 0.68 a 0.88 . Accretion discs in both sources are radiation-pressure dominated. We do not find Compton reflection features in the spectra of any of these objects.     

Spectral variation in the X-ray pulsar GX 1+4 during a low-flux episode

The X-ray pulsar GX 1+4 was observed with the RXTE satellite for a total of 51 ks between 1996 July 19 and 21. During this period the flux decreased smoothly from an initial mean level of ≈6×10³⁶ erg s⁻¹ to a minimum of ≈4×10³⁵ erg s⁻¹ (2–60 keV, assuming a source distance of 10 kpc) before partially recovering towards the initial level at the end of the observation.
BATSE pulse timing measurements indicate that a torque reversal took place approximately 10 d after this observation. Both the mean pulse profile and the photon spectrum varied significantly. The observed variation in the source may provide important clues as to the mechanism of torque reversals.
The single best-fitting spectral model was based on a component originating from thermal photons with kT ₀≈1 keV Comptonized by a plasma of temperature kT ≈7 keV. Both the flux modulation with phase during the brightest interval and the evolution of the mean spectra over the course of the observation are consistent with variations in this model component; with, in addition, a doubling of the column density n _H contributing to the mean spectral change.
A strong flare of duration ≲50 s was observed during the interval of minimum flux, with the peak flux ≈20 times the mean level. Although beaming effects are likely to mask the true variation in M ˙ thought to give rise to the flare, the timing of a modest increase in flux prior to the flare is consistent with dual episodes of accretion resulting from successive orbits of a locally dense patch of matter in the accretion disc.     

Long-term INTEGRAL and RXTE observations of the X-ray pulsar LMC X-4

We analyze the observations of the X-ray pulsar LMCX-4 performed by the INTEGRAL observatory and the All-Sky Monitor (ASM) of the RXTE observatory over a wide energy range. The observed hard X-ray flux from the source is shown to change by more than a factor of 50 (from ～70 mCrab in the high state to ～1.3 mCrab in the low state) on the time scale of the accretion-disk precession period, whose mean value for 1996–2004 was determined with a high accuracy, P_prec = 30.275 ± 0.004 days. In the low state, a flare about 10 h in duration was detected from the source; the flux from the source increased by more than a factor of 4 during this flare. The shape of the pulsar’s broadband spectrum is essentially invariable with its intensity; no statistically significant features associated with the possible resonance cyclotron absorption line were found in the spectrum of the source.     

Aquila X-1: a low-inclination soft X-ray transient

We have obtained I -band photometry of the neutron star X-ray transient Aql X-1 during quiescence. We find a periodicity at 2.487 cycles d⁻¹, which we interpret as twice the orbital frequency (19.30±0.05 h). Folding the data on the orbital period, we model the light-curve variations as the ellipsoidal modulation of the secondary star. We determine the binary inclination to be 20°–30° (90 per cent confidence) and also determine the 95 per cent upper limits to the radial velocity semi-amplitude and rotational broadening of the secondary star to be 117 and 50 km s⁻¹, respectively.     

Luminosity dependent study of the high mass X-ray binary pulsar 4U 0114 + 65 with ASCA

Here we report the spectral characteristics of the high and low states of the pulsar 4U 0114 + 65 and examine the change in the parameters of the spectral model. A power law and a photoelectric absorption by material along the line of sight together with a high energy cut-off suffice to describe the continuum spectrum in both the states. A fluorescence iron line at ∼6.4 keV is present in the high as well as in the low state, though it is less intense in the latter. The photon index, cut-off energy and e-folding energy values hardly show any discernible change over the states. We compare these spectral characteristics as observed with ASCA with those of other satellites. We also compare the spectral characteristics of 4U 0114 + 650 with other X-ray sources which show intensity variation at different time scales.     

An optical and X-ray study of the counterpart to the Small Magellanic Cloud X-ray binary pulsar system SXP327

Optical and X-ray observations are presented here of a newly reported X-ray transient system in the Small Magellanic Cloud. The data reveal many previously unknown X-ray detections of this system and clear evidence for a 45.99 d binary period. In addition, the optical photometry shows recurring outburst features at the binary period which may be well indicative of the neutron star interacting with a circumstellar disc around a Be star.     

A very rare triple-peaked type-I X-ray burst in the low-mass X-ray binary 4U 1636−53

We have discovered a triple-peaked X-ray burst from the low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) 4U 1636−53 with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer ( RXTE ). This is the first triple-peaked burst reported from any LMXB using RXTE , and it is only the second burst of this kind observed from any source. (The previous one was also from 4U 1636−53, and was observed with EXOSAT .) From fits to time-resolved spectra, we find that this is not a radius-expansion burst, and the same triple-peaked pattern seen in the X-ray light curve is also present in the bolometric light curve of the burst. Similar to what was previously observed in double-peaked bursts from this source, the radius of the emitting area increases steadily during the burst, with short periods in between during which the radius remains more or less constant. The temperature first increases steeply, and then decreases across the burst also showing three peaks. The first and last peak in the temperature profile occur, respectively, significantly before and after the first and last peaks in the X-ray and bolometric light curves. We found no significant oscillations during this burst. This triple-peaked burst, as well as the one observed with EXOSAT and the double-peak bursts in this source, all took place when 4U 1636−53 occupied a relatively narrow region in the colour–colour diagram, corresponding to a relatively high (inferred) mass-accretion rate. No model presently available is able to explain the multiple-peaked bursts.     

X-ray Spectroscopy of Dips of Cir X-1

We present X-ray spectral analyses of the low-mass X-ray binary Cir X-1 dur- ing X-ray dips,using the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer(RXTE)data.Each dip was divided into several segments,and the spectrum of each segment was fitted with a three-component blackbody model,in which the first two components are affected by partial covering and the third one is unaffected.A Gaussian emission line is also included in the spectral model to represent the Fe Kαline at～6.4 keV.The fitted temperatures of the two partially covered components are about 2 keV and 1 keV,while the uncovered component has a temperature of～0.5-0.6 keV.The equivalent blackbody emission radius of the hottest component is the smallest and that of the coolest component is the largest.During the dips the fluxes of the two hot components are linearly correlated,while that of the third component does not show any significant variation.The Fe line flux remains constant,within the errors,during the short dips.However,during the long dips the line flux varies significantly and is positively correlated with the fluxes of the two hot components.These results suggest:(1)that the tem- perature of the X-ray emitting region decreases with radius,(2)that the Fe Kαline emitting region is close to the hot continuum emitting region,and(3)that the size of the Fe line emit- ting region is larger than that of the obscuring matter causing the short dips but smaller than the region of that causing the long dips.     

X-ray timing behaviour of Cygnus X-2 at low intensities

It is known that the overall (mean) intensity of the low-mass X-ray binary Cyg X-2 varies on time-scales from a day to months, independently of the variations on time-scales of hours to a day by which the source moves between the horizontal, normal and flaring branches.
We present RXTE PCA observations of Cyg X-2, taken when its overall intensity was near its lowest values, in 1996 October and 1997 September. For the first time we perform a study of the fast timing behaviour at such low intensities. During the 1996 October observations, the source was in the left part of the horizontal branch, and during the 1997 September observations was most likely in the lower parts of the normal branch and flaring branch.
We find that the properties of the very low-frequency noise during the 1997 September observations are consistent with a monotonic decrease in its strength and power-law index as a function of overall intensity. In contrast, the strength of the ∼6 Hz normal branch quasi-periodic oscillations does not vary monotonically with overall intensity. They are strongest at medium overall intensity and weaker both when the overall intensity is low and when the overall intensity is high.     

Effects of the stellar wind on X-ray spectra of Cygnus X-3

We study X-ray spectra of Cyg X-3 from BeppoSAX , taking into account absorption and emission in the strong stellar wind of its companion. We find the intrinsic X-ray spectra are well modelled by disc blackbody emission, its upscattering by hot electrons with a hybrid distribution, and by Compton reflection. These spectra are strongly modified by absorption and reprocessing in the stellar wind, which we model using the photoionization code cloudy . The form of the observed spectra implies the wind is composed of two phases. A hot tenuous plasma containing most of the wind mass is required to account for the observed features of very strongly ionized Fe. Small dense cool clumps filling ≲0.01 of the volume are required to absorb the soft X-ray excess, which is emitted by the hot phase but not present in the data. The total mass-loss rate is found to be  (0.6–1.6) × 10⁻⁵ M_⊙ yr⁻¹  . We also discuss the feasibility of the continuum model dominated by Compton reflection, which we find to best describe our data. The intrinsic luminosities of our models suggest that the compact object is a black hole.     

Normal-branch quasi-periodic oscillations during the high-intensity state of Cygnus X-2

Using data obtained with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer , we report the detection of a 5-Hz quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) in the bright low-mass X-ray binary and Z source Cygnus X-2 during high overall intensities (the high-intensity state). This QPO was detected on the so-called normal-branch and can be identified with the normal-branch QPO or NBO. Our detection of the NBO is the first one during times when Cygnus X-2 was in the high-intensity state. The rms amplitude of this QPO decreased from 2.8 per cent between 2 and 3.1 keV to <1.9 per cent between 5.0 and 6.5 keV. Above 6.5 keV, its amplitude rapidly increased to ∼12 per cent rms above 16 keV. The time lags of the QPO were consistent with being zero below 5 keV (compared with the 2–3.1 keV band), but they rapidly increased to ∼70 ms (140°) around 10 keV, above which the time lags remained approximately constant near 70 ms. The photon energy dependences of the rms amplitude and the time lags are very similar to those observed for the NBO with other satellites ( Ginga , EXOSAT ) at different (i.e. lower) intensity states.