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Register a new userOrbital and superorbital variability and their coupling in X-ray binaries
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Added by
Andrzej A. Zdziarski
Publication date
2008
fields
Physics
and research's language is
English
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We review X-ray flux modulation from X-ray binaries on time scales corresponding to the orbital period and those at longer time scales (so called superorbital). Those modulations provide a powerful tool to constrain geometry of the accretion flow. The most common cause of the superorbital variability appears to be precession. We then discuss two specific examples of discoveries of a coupling between the two types of variability and their physical interpretation. One is Cyg X-1, a black-hole binary with a high-mass companion, in which case we find the presence of an accretion bulge formed by collision of the stellar wind with the outer edge of the precessing accretion disc. The other is 4U 1820-303, a neutron star accreting from a low-mass white dwarf, in which case we interpret the superorbital variability as accretion rate modulation induced by interactions in a triple stellar system. Then, the varying accretion rate leads to changes of the size of the accretion bulge in that system, obscuring the centrally-emitted X-rays.
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We present INTEGRAL spectral analysis in the orbital/superorbital phase space of LS I +61 303. A hard X-ray spectrum with no cutoff is observed at all orbital/superorbital phases. The hard X-ray index is found to be uncorrelated with the radio index (non-simultaneously) measured at the same orbital and superorbital phases. In particular, the absence of an X-ray spectrum softening during the periods of negative radio index does not favor a simple interpretation of the radio index variations in terms of changes of state in a microquasar. We uncover hints for the superorbital variability in the hard X-ray flux, in phase with the superorbital modulation in soft X-rays. An orbital phase drift of radio peak flux and index along the superorbital period is observed in the radio data. We explore its influence on a previously reported double peak structure of radio orbital lightcurve, posing it as a plausible explanation.
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