Observations and Modeling of Accretion Flows in X-ray Binaries

Abstract

This article describes what we have learned from observations and from modeling of the observations about several aspects of accretion in X-ray binaries. In particular, what we have learned about the geometry of accretion disk structure, accretion columns, and stellar wind structure will be described. The main discussion will be limited to just two X-ray binaries, Hercules X-1 and GX 301-2, which represent low mass X-ray binary systems and high mass X-ray binary systems, respectively. Both of these systems have orbits determined from X-ray pulse timing studies which make possible the detailed modeling and interpretation of the X-ray data. Although the discussion here is only about two systems, the methods and also the qualitative part of the results can be applied to other similar X-ray binary systems.