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.     

The harmonic and sideband structure of the kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations in Sco X-1

We use data from the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer to search for harmonics and sidebands of the two simultaneous kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPOs) in Sco X-1. We do not detect any of these harmonics or sidebands, with 95 per cent confidence upper limits to their power between ∼1 and ∼10 per cent of the power of the upper kHz QPO. The oscillations produced at these frequencies may be attenuated in a scattering corona around the neutron star. We find that upper limits to the unattenuated power of some of the strongest theoretically predicted harmonics and sidebands are as low as ∼2 per cent of the unattenuated power of the high-frequency QPO in Sco X-1.     

Keck II spectroscopy of mHz quasi-periodic oscillations in Hercules X-1

We present Keck II spectroscopy of optical mHz quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) in the light curve of the X-ray pulsar binary Hercules X-1. In the power spectrum it appears as 'peaked noise', with a coherency ∼2, a central frequency of 35 mHz and a peak-to-peak amplitude of 5 per cent. However, the dynamic power spectrum shows it to be an intermittent QPO, with a lifetime of ∼100 s, as expected if the lifetime of the orbiting material is equal to the thermal time-scale of the inner disc. We have decomposed the spectral time series into constant and variable components and used blackbody fits to the resulting spectra to characterize the spectrum of the QPO variability and constrain possible production sites. We find that the spectrum of the QPO is best fitted by a small hot region, possibly the inner regions of the accretion disc, where the ballistic accretion stream impacts on to the disc. The lack of any excess power around the QPO frequency in the X-ray power spectrum, created using simultaneous light curves from RXTE , implies that the QPO is not simply reprocessed X-ray variability.     

Dwarf nova oscillations and quasi-periodic oscillations in cataclysmic variables – IV. Observations of frequency doubling and tripling in VW Hyi

We present new observations of the rapid oscillations in the dwarf nova VW Hyi, made late in outburst. These dwarf nova oscillations (DNOs) increase in period until they reach 33 s, when a transition to a strong 1st harmonic and weak fundamental takes place. After further period increase, the 2nd harmonic appears; often all three components are present simultaneously. This 1:2:3 frequency suite is similar to what has been seen in some neutron star and black hole X-ray binaries, but has not previously been seen in a cataclysmic variable. When studied in detail, the fundamental and 2nd harmonic vary similarly in phase, but the 1st harmonic behaves independently, though keeping close to twice the frequency of the fundamental. The fundamental period of the DNOs, as directly observed or inferred from the harmonics, increases to ∼100 s before the oscillation disappears as the star reaches quiescence. Its maximum period is close to that of the 'longer-period' DNOs observed in VW Hyi. The quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs), which have fundamental periods 400–1000 s, behave in the same way, showing 1st and 2nd harmonics at approximately the same times as the DNOs. We explore some possible models. One in which the existence of the 1st harmonic is due to the transition from viewing a single accretion region to viewing two regions, and the rate of accretion on to the primary is modulated at the frequency of the 1st harmonic, as in the 'beat frequency model', can generate the suite of DNO frequencies observed. But the behaviour of the QPOs is not yet understood.     

Is there a link between the neutron-star spin and the frequency of the kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations?

There is a general consensus that the frequencies of the kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPOs) in neutron-star low-mass X-ray binaries are directly linked to the spin of the neutron star. The root of this idea is the apparent clustering of the ratio of the frequency difference of the kHz QPOs, and the neutron-star spin frequency,  Δν/ν_s  , at around 0.5 and 1 in 10 systems for which these two quantities have been measured. Here, we re-examine all available data of sources for which there exist measurements of two simultaneous kHz QPOs and spin frequencies, and we advance the possibility that Δν and  ν_s  are not related to each other. We discuss ways in which this possibility could be tested with current and future observations.     

The coherence of kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations in the X-rays from accreting neutron stars

We study in a systematic way the quality factor of the lower and upper kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPOs) in a sample of low-luminosity neutron star X-ray binaries, showing both QPOs varying over a wide frequency range. The sample includes 4U 1636−536, 4U 1608−522, 4U 1735−44, 4U 1728−34, 4U 1820−303 and 4U 0614+09. We find that all sources except 4U 0614+09 show evidence of a drop in the quality factor of their lower kHz QPOs at high frequency. For 4U 0614+09 only the rising part of the quality factor versus frequency curve has been sampled so far. At the same time, in all sources but 4U 1728−34, the quality factor of the upper kHz QPO increases all the way to the highest detectable frequencies. We show that the high-frequency behaviours of both the lower and the upper kHz QPO quality factors are consistent with what is expected if the drop is produced by the approach of an active oscillating region to the innermost stable circular orbit: the existence of which is a key feature of general relativity in the strong field regime. Within this interpretation, our results imply gravitational masses around 2 M_⊙ for the neutron stars in those systems.     

On the maximum amplitude and coherence of the kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations in low-mass X-ray binaries

I study the behaviour of the maximum rms fractional amplitude, r _max, and the maximum coherence, Q _max, of the kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPOs) in a dozen low-mass X-ray binaries. I find that (i) the maximum rms amplitudes of the lower- and upper-kHz QPOs,   r ^ℓ_max  and   r ^u_max  , respectively, decrease more or less exponentially with increasing luminosity of the source; (ii) the maximum coherence of the lower-kHz QPO,   Q ^ℓ_max  , first increases and then decreases exponentially with luminosity, at a faster rate than both   r ^ℓ_max  and   r ^u_max  ; (iii) the maximum coherence of the upper-kHz QPO,   Q ^u_max  , is more or less independent of luminosity; and (iv) r _max and Q _max show the opposite behaviour with hardness of the source, consistent with the fact that there is a general anticorrelation between luminosity and spectral hardness in these sources. Both r _max and Q _max in the sample of sources, and the rms amplitude and coherence of the kHz QPOs in individual sources show a similar behaviour with hardness. This similarity argues against the interpretation that the drop of coherence and rms amplitude of the lower-kHz QPO at high QPO frequencies in individual sources is a signature of the innermost stable circular orbit around a neutron star. I discuss possible interpretations of these results in terms of the modulation mechanisms that may be responsible for the observed variability.     

Low frequency flickering of TT arietis: Hard and soft X-ray emission region

Using archival ASCA observations of TT Arietis, X-ray energy spectra and power spectra of the intensity time series are presented for the first time. The energy spectra are well-fitted by a two continuum plasma emission model with temperatures 1 keV and 10 keV. A coherent feature at 0.643 mHz appeared in the power spectra during the observation.     

On the quasi-periodic oscillations in magnetars

We study torsional Alfvén oscillations of magnetars, that is neutron stars with a strong magnetic field. We consider the poloidal and toroidal components of the magnetic field and a wide range of equilibrium stellar models. We use a new coordinate system  ( X , Y )  , where     and     and a ₁ is the radial component of the magnetic field. In this coordinate system, the one+two-dimensional evolution equation describing the quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs), see Sotani et al., is reduced to a one+one-dimensional equation where the perturbations propagate only along the y -axis. We solve the one+one-dimensional equation for different boundary conditions and the open magnetic field lines, that is magnetic field lines that reach the surface and there match up with the exterior dipole magnetic field as well as closed magnetic lines, i.e. magnetic lines that never reach the stellar surface. For the open field lines, we find two families of QPO frequencies: a family of 'lower' QPO frequencies which is located near the x -axis and a family of 'upper' frequencies located near the y -axis. According to Levin, the fundamental frequencies of these two families can be interpreted as the turning point of the continuous spectrum. We find that the upper frequencies are multiples of the lower ones by a constant equalling  2 n + 1  . For the closed lines, the corresponding factor is   n + 1  . By using these relations, we can explain both the lower and the higher observed frequencies in SGR 1806−20 and SGR 1900+14.     

Timing in the Time Domain： Cygnus X—1

1 INTRODUCTIONStudying short time scale variability of the X-ray emission of blaCk-hole systems and lowmass X-ray binaries is an importal approach to understanding the emitting region and elinssionmechanism of high-energy photons. The time-averaged spectra of hard X-rays from Cyg X-1and other black-hole candidates are relatively well explained in terms of a simple model: hardX-rays result from the Comptonization of soft photons in a hot electron cloud of constattemperature and optical d…     

The nature of the hard state of Cygnus X-3

The X-ray binary Cygnus X-3 (Cyg X-3) is a highly variable X-ray source that displays a wide range of observed spectral states. One of the main states is significantly harder than the others, peaking at ∼20 keV, with only a weak low-energy component. Due to the enigmatic nature of this object, hidden inside the strong stellar wind of its Wolf–Rayet companion, it has remained unclear whether this state represents an intrinsic hard state, with truncation of the inner disc, or whether it is just a result of increased local absorption. We study the X-ray light curves from RXTE /ASM and CGRO /BATSE in terms of distributions and correlations of flux and hardness and find several signs of a bimodal behaviour of the accretion flow that are not likely to be the result of increased absorption in a surrounding medium. Using INTEGRAL observations, we model the broad-band spectrum of Cyg X-3 in its apparent hard state. We find that it can be well described by a model of a hard state with a truncated disc, despite the low cut-off energy, provided the accreted power is supplied to the electrons in the inner flow in the form of acceleration rather than thermal heating, resulting in a hybrid electron distribution and a spectrum with a significant contribution from non-thermal Comptonization, usually observed only in soft states. The high luminosity of this non-thermal hard state implies that either the transition takes place at significantly higher   L / L _E  than in the usual advection models, or the mass of the compact object is  ≳20 M_⊙  , possibly making it the most-massive black hole observed in an X-ray binary in our Galaxy so far. We find that an absorption model as well as a model of almost pure Compton reflection also fit the data well, but both have difficulties explaining other results, in particular the radio/X-ray correlation.     

Type I X-ray bursts, burst oscillations and kHz quasi-periodic oscillations in the neutron star system IGR J17191−2821

We present a detailed study of the X-ray energy and power spectral properties of the neutron star transient IGR J17191−2821. We discovered four instances of pairs of simultaneous kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPOs). The frequency difference between these kHz QPOs is between 315 and 362 Hz. We also report on the detection of five thermonuclear type I X-ray bursts and the discovery of burst oscillations at ∼294 Hz during three of them. Finally, we report on a faint and short outburst precursor, which occurred about two months before the main outburst. Our results on the broad-band spectral and variability properties allow us to firmly establish the atoll source nature of IGR J17191−2821.     

A detailed study of the 5-Hz quasi-periodic oscillations in the bright X-ray transient and black hole candidate GRS 1739–278

We present a detailed study of the 5-Hz quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) recently discovered in the bright X-ray transient and black hole candidate (BHC) GRS     (Borozdin & Trudolyubov) during a Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer observation taken on 1996 March 31. In total 6.6 ksec of on-source data were obtained, divided in two data sets of 3.4 and 3.2 ksec which were separated by ∼2.6 ksec. The 5-Hz QPO was only present during the second data set. The QPO increased in strength from below 2 per cent rms amplitude for photon energies below 4 keV to ∼5 per cent rms amplitude for energies above 10 keV. The soft QPO photons (below 5 keV) lagged the hard ones (above 10 keV) by almost 1.5 rad. Besides the QPO fundamental, its first overtone was detected. The strength of the overtone increased with photon energy (from < 2 per cent rms below 5 keV to ∼8 per cent rms above 10 keV). Although limited statistics did not allow for an accurate determination of the lags of the first overtone, indications are that also for this QPO the soft photons lagged the hard ones. When the 5-Hz QPO was not detected (i.e., during the first part of the observation), a broad noise component was found for photon energies below 10 keV but it became almost a true QPO (with a Q value of ∼1.9) above that energy, with a frequency of ∼3 Hz. Its hard photons preceded the soft ones in a way reminiscent of the 5-Hz QPO, strongly suggesting that both features are physically related. We discuss our finding in the framework of low-frequency QPOs and their properties in BHCs.     

Kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations difference frequency exceeds inferred spin frequency in 4U 1636−53

We report the first detection of a sharp spectral feature in a narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy. Using XMM-Newton we have observed 1H     and find a drop in flux by a factor of more than 2 at a rest-frame energy of ∼ 7 keV without any detectable narrow Fe K α line emission. The energy of this feature suggests a connection with the neutral iron K photoelectric edge, but the lack of any obvious absorption in the spectrum at lower energies makes the interpretation challenging. We explore two alternative explanations for this unusual spectral feature: (i) partial-covering absorption by clouds of neutral material; and (ii) ionized disc reflection with lines and edges from different ionization stages of iron blurred together by relativistic effects. We note that both models require an iron overabundance to explain the depth of the feature. The X-ray light curve shows strong and rapid variability, changing by a factor of 4 during the observation. The source displays modest spectral variability which is uncorrelated with flux.