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Register a new userSpectrum Synthesis Modeling of the X-ray Spectrum of GRO J1655-40 Taken During the 2005 Outburst
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The spectrum from the black hole X-ray transient GRO J1655-40. obtained using the $Chandra$ High Energy Transmission Grating (HETG) in 2005 is notable as a laboratory for the study of warm absorbers, and for the presence of many lines from odd-$Z$ elements between Na and Co (and Ti and Cr) not previously observed in X-rays. We present synthetic spectral models which can be used to constrain these element abundances and other parameters describing the outflow from the warm absorber in this object. We present results of fitting to the spectrum using various tools and techniques, including automated line fitting, phenomenological models, and photoionization modeling. We show that the behavior of the curves of growth of lines from H-like and Li-like ions indicate that the lines are either saturated or affected by filling-in from scattered or a partially covered continuum source. We confirm the conclusion of previous work by cite{Mill06} and cite{Mill08} which shows that the ionization conditions are not consistent with wind driving due to thermal expansion. The spectrum provides the opportunity to measure abundances for several elements not typically observable in the X-ray band. These show a pattern of enhancement for iron peak elements, and solar or sub-solar values for elements lighter than calcium. Models show that this is consistent with enrichment by a core-collapse supernova. We discuss the implications these values for the evolutionary history of this system.
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We have investigated the complex multiwavelength evolution of GRO J1655-40 during the rise of its 2005 outburst. We detected two hard X-ray flares, the first one during the transition from the soft state to the ultra-soft state, and the second one in the ultra-soft state. The first X-ray flare coincided with an optically thin radio flare. We also observed a hint of increased radio emission during the second X-ray flare. To explain the hard flares without invoking a secondary emission component, we fit the entire data set with the eqpair model. This single, hybrid Comptonization model sufficiently fits the data even during the hard X-ray flares if we allow reflection fractions greater than unity. In this case, the hard X-ray flares correspond to a Comptonizing corona dominated by non-thermal electrons. The fits also require absorption features in the soft and ultra-soft state which are likely due to a wind. In this work we show that the wind and the optically thin radio flare co-exist. Finally, we have also investigated the radio to optical spectral energy distribution, tracking the radio spectral evolution through the quenching of the compact jet and rise of the optically thin flare, and interpreted all data using state transition models.
We report on the results of a detailed spectral analysis of 389 RXTE observations of the Galactic microquasar GRO J1655-40, performed during its 2005 outburst. The maximum luminosity reached during this outburst was 1.4 times higher than in the previous (1996-1997) outburst. However, the spectral behavior during the two outbursts was very similar. In particular, Ldisk was proportional to Tin^4 up to the same critical luminosity and in both outbursts there were periods during which the energy spectra were very soft, but could not be fit with standard disk models.
GRO 1655-40, a well known black hole candidate, showed renewed X-ray activity in March 2005 after being dormant for almost eight years. It showed very prominent quasi-periodic oscillations. We analysed the data of two observations in this {it Rapid Communication}, one taken on March 2nd, 2005 and the other taken on the March 11th, 2005. On March 2nd, 2005 the shock was weak and the QPO was seen in roughly all energies. On March 11th, 2005 the power density spectra showed that quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) were exhibited in harder X-rays. On the first day, the QPO was seen at 0.13Hz and on the second day, the QPO was seen at $sim 6.5$Hz with a spectral break at $sim 0.1$Hz. We analysed the QPOs for the period 25th Feb. 2005 to 12th of March, 2005 and showed that the frequency of QPO increased monotonically from 0.088Hz to 15.01Hz. This agrees well if the oscillating shock is assumed to propagate with a constant velocity. On several days we also noticed the presence of very high frequency QPOs and for the first time we detected QPOs in the 600-700Hz range, the highest frequency range so far reported for any black hole candidate.
We present Swift observations of the black hole X-ray transient, GRO J1655-40, during the recent outburst. With its multiwavelength capabilities and flexible scheduling, Swift is extremely well-suited for monitoring the spectral evolution of such an event. GRO J1655-40 was observed on 20 occasions and data were obtained by all instruments for the majority of epochs. X-ray spectroscopy revealed spectral shapes consistent with the ``canonical low/hard, high/soft and very high states at various epochs. The soft X-ray source (0.3-10 keV) rose from quiescence and entered the low/hard state, when an iron emission line was detected. The soft X-ray source then softened and decayed, before beginning a slow rebrightening and then spending $sim 3$ weeks in the very high state. The hard X-rays (14-150 keV) behaved similarly but their peaks preceded those of the soft X-rays by up to a few days; in addition, the average hard X-ray flux remained approximately constant during the slow soft X-ray rebrightening, increasing suddenly as the source entered the very high state. These observations indicate (and confirm previous suggestions) that the low/hard state is key to improving our understanding of the outburst trigger and mechanism. The optical/ultraviolet lightcurve behaved very differently from that of the X-rays; this might suggest that the soft X-ray lightcurve is actually a composite of the two known spectral components, one gradually increasing with the optical/ultraviolet emission (accretion disc) and the other following the behaviour of the hard X-rays (jet and/or corona).
Context: The detection of overabundances of $alpha$-elements and lithium in the secondary star of a black-hole binary provides important insights about the formation of a stellar-mass black-hole. $alpha$-enhancement might theoretically also be the result of pollution by the nucleosynthesis occurring during an outburst, or through spallation by the jet. Aims: We study the abundances, and their possible variations with time, in the secondary star of the runaway black-hole binary GRO J1655--40, in order to understand their origin. Methods: We present a detailed comparison between a Keck spectrum obtained in 1998 found in the literature, archival VLT-UVES data taken in 2004 and new VLT-UVES spectra obtained early 2006. We carefully determine the equivalent widths of different $alpha$-elements (Mg, O, Ti, S and Si) with their associated uncertainty. We use the well-studied comparison star HD 156098 as well as synthetic spectra to match the spectrum of GRO J1655--40 in order to determine the abundances of these elements. Results: We see no significant variations of equivalent widths with time. Our fit using HD 156098 reveals that there is significant overabundance of oxygen in all our spectra, but no overabundances of any of the other $alpha$-elements. Finally, we do not detect the lithium line at 6707 AA. Conclusions: We show that there is no detected pollution in GRO J1655--40 after the burst in 2005. Moreover, we argue that uncertainties in the equivalent widths were previously underestimated by a factor of $sim$3. Consequently, our results challenge the existence of general overabundances of $alpha$-elements observed in this galactic black-hole binary, and thus the accepted interpretation that they are of supernova origin. The physical cause of the overabundance of oxygen remains unclear.
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