Accretion Disk Corona Model Research Articles

A Significant Detection of X-ray Polarization in Sco X-1 with PolarLight and Constraints on the Corona Geometry

Abstract We report the detection of X-ray polarization in the neutron-star low-mass X-ray binary Scorpius (Sco) X-1 with PolarLight. The result is energy-dependent, with a nondetection in 3–4 keV but a 4σ detection in 4–8 keV; it is also flux-dependent in the 4–8 keV band, with a nondetection when the source displays low fluxes but a 5σ detection during high fluxes, in which case we obtain a polarization fraction of 0.043 ± 0.008 and a polarization angle of 52.°6 ± 5.°4. This confirms a previous marginal detection with OSO-8 in the 1970s and marks Sco X-1 as the second astrophysical source with a significant polarization measurement in the keV band. The measured polarization angle is in line with the jet orientation of the source on the sky plane (54°), which is supposedly the symmetry axis of the system. Combining previous spectral analysis, our measurements suggest that an optically thin corona is located in the transition layer under the highest accretion rates, and disfavor the extended accretion disk corona model.

Constraints on black hole spins with a general relativistic accretion disk corona model

The peaks in the spectra of the accretion disks surrounding massive black holes in quasars are in the far-UV or soft X-ray band, which are usually not observed. However, in the disk corona model, soft photons from the disk are Comptonized to high energy in the hot corona, and the hard X-ray spectra (luminosity and spectral shape) contain information on the incident spectra from the disk. The values of black hole spin parameter a* are inferred from the spectral fitting, which are spread over a large range, ∼ −0.94 to 0.998. We find that the inclination angles and mass accretion rates are well determined by the spectral fitting, but the results are sensitive to the accuracy of black hole mass estimates. No tight constraints on the black hole spins are achieved, if the uncertainties in black hole mass measurements are a factor of four, which are typical for the single-epoch reverberation mapping method. Recently, the accuracy of black hole mass measurement has been significantly improved to 0.2 – 0.4 dex with the velocity resolved reverberation mapping method. The black hole spin can be well constrained if the mass measurement accuracy is ≲ 50%. In the accretion disk corona scenario, a fraction of power dissipated in the disk is transported into the corona, and therefore the accretion disk is thinner than a bare disk for the same mass accretion rate, because the radiation pressure in the disk is reduced. We find that the thin disk approximation, H/R ≲ 0.1, is still valid if 0.3 < ṁ < 0.5, provided half of the dissipated power is radiated in the corona above the disk.

The cross-correlation analysis in Z source GX 349+2

Using all the observations from Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer for Z source GX 349+2, we systematically carry out cross-correlation analysis between its soft and hard X-ray light curves. During the observations from January 9 to January 29, 1998, GX 349+2 traced out the most extensive Z track on its hardness-intensity diagram, making a comprehensive study of cross-correlation on the track. The positive correlations and positively correlated time lags are detected throughout the Z track. Outside the Z track, anti-correlations and anti-correlated time lags are found, but the anti-correlated time lags are much longer than the positively correlated time lags, which might indicate different mechanisms for producing the two types of time lags. We argue that neither the short-term time lag models nor the truncated accretion disk model can account for the long-term time lags in neutron star low mass X-ray binaries (NS-LMXBs). We suggest that the extended accretion disk corona model could be an alternative model to explain the long-term time lags detected in NS-LMXBs.

The first ultraviolet quasar-stacked spectrum at z ≃ 2.4 from WFC3

The ionising continuum from active galactic nuclei (AGN) is fundamental for interpreting their broad emission lines and understanding their impact on the surrounding gas. Furthermore, it provides hints on how matter accretes onto supermassive black holes. Using HST's Wide Field Camera 3 we have constructed the first stacked ultraviolet (rest-frame wavelengths 600-2500\AA) spectrum of 53 luminous quasars at z=2.4, with a state-of-the-art correction for the intervening Lyman forest and Lyman continuum absorption. The continuum slope ($f_\nu \propto \nu^{\alpha_\nu}$) of the full sample shows a break at ~912\AA\ with spectral index $\alpha_\nu=-0.61\pm0.01$ at $\lambda>912$\AA\ and a softening at shorter wavelengths ($\alpha_\nu=-1.70 \pm 0.61$ at $\lambda\leq 912$\AA). Our analysis proves that a proper intergalactic medium absorption correction is required to establish the intrinsic continuum emission of quasars. We interpret our average ultraviolet spectrum in the context of photoionisation, accretion disk models, and quasar contribution to the ultraviolet background. We find that observed broad line ratios are consistent with those predicted assuming an ionising slope of $\alpha_\mathrm{ion}=$-2.0, similar to the observed ionising spectrum in the same wavelength range. The continuum break and softening are consistent with accretion disk plus X-ray corona models when black hole spin is taken into account. Our spectral energy distribution yields a 30% increase to previous estimates of the specific quasar emissivity, such that quasars may contribute significantly to the total specific Lyman limit emissivity estimated from the Ly$\alpha$ forest at z<3.2.

Estimating Black Hole Spin of PG 1322+659 with Observed Optical and X-ray Continuum Spectrum

We fit the observed Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) of a bright radio quite quasar PG 1322+659 in optical and hard X-ray bands with an accretion disk–corona model to estimate BH spin a.

Spectral investigations of the nature of the Scorpius X-1 like sources

We present results of spectral investigations of the Sco X-1 like Z-track sources Sco X-1, GX 349+2 and GX 17+2 based on Rossi-XTE observations using an extended accretion disk corona model. The results are compared with previous results for the Cyg X-2 like group: Cyg X-2, GX 340+0 and GX 5-1 and a general model for the Z-track sources proposed. On the normal branch, the Sco-like and Cyg-like sources are similar, the results indicating an increase of mass accretion rate Mdot between soft and hard apex, not as in the standard view that this increases around the Z. In the Cyg-like sources, increasing Mdot causes the neutron star temperature kT to increase from ~1 to ~2 keV. At the lower kT, the radiation pressure is small, but at the higher kT, the emitted flux of the neutron star is several times super-Eddington and the high radiation pressure disrupts the inner disk launching the relativistic jets observed on the upper normal and horizontal branches. In the Sco-like sources, the main physical difference is the high kT of more than 2 keV on all parts of the Z-track suggesting that jets are always possible, even on the flaring branch. The flaring branch in the Cyg-like sources is associated with release of energy on the neutron star consistent with unstable nuclear burning. The Sco-like sources are very different as flaring appears to be a combination of unstable burning and an increase of Mdot which makes flaring much stronger. Analysis of 15 years or RXTE ASM data on all 6 classic Z-track sources shows the high rate and strength of flaring in the Sco-like sources suggesting that continual release of energy heats the neutron star causing the high kT. A Sco X-1 observation with unusually little flaring supports this. GX 17+2 appears to be transitional between the Cyg and Sco-like types. Our results do not support the suggestion that Cyg or Sco-like nature is determined by luminosity.

The Influence of Viscosity on the Truncation of Accretion Disks Around Black Holes

The influence of viscosity on the truncation radius of the accretion disks around the black holes for black hole X-ray binaries and low luminosity AGNs, as well as the changes between the high and low state in black hole X-ray binaries are studied in this paper using the accretion disk-corona model. From the previous studies it is indicated that the coronal structure is very sensitive to the viscosity. So we calculated in detail the coronal structures for a series of viscosity coefficients. In order to compare with the observational results, analytical fitting of the numerical results was made for the relations between the maximum evaporation rate and the viscosity coefficient α, M ˙ / M ˙ EDD ≈ 1.08α 3.35 and between the truncation radius and the viscosity coefficient, R/R s ≈ 36.11α −1.94. These results can be used to explain the transitions between the high and low spectral states and the changes in the truncation radius. In particular, these results are applied to two black hole X-ray binaries, XTE J1118+480 and GX 339-4, and to one AGN, NGC 4636.

Broadband spectra of XTE J1650-500 with BeppoSAX

Abstract We report on preliminary results of three Target of Opportunity (TOO) observations of the X-ray transient and black hole candidate XTE J1650-500 performed on 2001 September 11-12, September 21-23, and October 3-4 respectively, with the Narrow Field Instruments (0.1-200 keV) of the BeppoSAX satellite. Inspection of the light curves in different energy bands clearly shows an extreme variability both temporal and spectral. This variability has the consequence that spectra provide acceptable fits only if integrated on a temporal scale of order 104s or even less. However, all spectra are fit by the same model with some parameters that remain unchanged during the 3 TOOs, and others that dramatically change on the above time scale. The model used is a two-phase accretion disk corona model, in which a hot corona with a hybrid electron distribution comptonizes seed photons from a disk. Reflection is important and ionization seems to be very small or even zero. During the first TOO a broad Fe Kαline is clearly seen.

X‐Ray Dip Monitoring of XB 1916−053

We report on the long-term monitoring of X-ray dips from the ultracompact low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) XB 1916-053. Roughly one-month interval observations were carried out with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) during 1996, during which the source varied between dim, hard states and more luminous, soft states. The dip spectra and dip light curves were compared against both the broadband luminosity and the derived mass accretion rate (). The dips spectra could be fitted by an absorbed blackbody plus cutoff power-law nondip spectral model, with additional absorption ranging from 0 to > 100 × 1022 cm-2. The amount of additional blackbody absorption was found to vary with the source luminosity. Our results are consistent with an obscuration of the inner disk region by a partially ionized outer disk. The size of the corona, derived from the dip ingress times, was found to be ~109 cm. The corona size did not correlate with the coronal temperature, but seemed to increase when also increased. We discuss our findings in the context of an evaporated accretion disk corona model and an ADAF-type model.

ChandraandXMMObservations of the Accretion Disk Corona Source 2S 0921−63

We analyze observations of the low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) 2S 0921-63 obtained with the gratings and CCDs on Chandra and XMM. This object is a high-inclination system showing evidence for an accretion disk corona (ADC). Such a corona has the potential to constrain the properties of the heated accretion disk in this system and other LMXBs by extension. We find evidence for line emission that is generally consistent with that found by previous experiments, although we are able to detect more lines. For the first time in this source, we find that the iron K line has multiple components. We set limits on the line widths and velocity offsets, and we fit the spectra to photoionization models and discuss the implications for ADC models. For the first time in any ADC source we use these fits, together with density constraints based on the O VII line ratio, in order to constrain the flux in the medium-ionization region of the ADC. Under various assumptions about the source luminosity this constrains the location of the emitting region. These estimates, together with estimates for the emission measure, favor a scenario in which the intrinsic luminosity of the source is comparable to what we observe.

Accretion Disks with Coronae in Cygnus X‐1: The Role of a Transition Layer

Several recent papers have shown that an accretion disk corona model, where a slab corona sandwiches the cold accretion disk, is problematic for hard-state spectra of galactic black hole candidates (GBHCs) because the model spectra are never hard enough to match the observations. However, it has recently been pointed out that because of a thermal ionization instability, a hot forms on the top of the illuminated disk. Through numerical simulations in the slab corona geometry, we show that the completely ionized skin leads to a reduction in the reflected thermal blackbody component that amounts to a decrease in the Compton cooling rate of the corona and thus allows the X-ray spectra to be harder. While this brings the model closer to observations, in order for the predicted spectrum to be as hard as the observed spectra of Cyg X-1, the Thomson optical depth of the transition layer must be greater than 10, which is inconsistent with the ionization physics and observations. Therefore, the model with a planar corona covering the whole accretion disk is still strongly ruled out by the observations of GBHCs. Finally, we discuss accretion disks with magnetic flares (i.e., patchy corona) and show that the ionized skin resolves many of the arguments made in the literature against this model, although more quantitative future work is needed to test the model thoroughly.

X‐Ray Energy Spectra of the Supersoft X‐Ray Sources CAL 87 and RX J0925.7−4758 Observed withASCA

We report observation results of the supersoft X-ray sources CAL 87 and RX J0925.7-4758 with the X-ray CCD cameras (Solid-State Imaging Spectrometers [SISs]) on board ASCA. Because of the superior energy resolution of the SIS (ΔE/E ~ 10% at 1 keV) relative to previous instruments, we could study detailed X-ray spectral structures of these sources for the first time. We have applied theoretical spectral models to CAL 87 and constrained the white dwarf mass and intrinsic luminosity as 0.8-1.2 M☉ and 4 × 1037-1.2 × 1038 ergs s-1, respectively. However, we have found the observed luminosity is an order of magnitude smaller than the theoretical estimate, which indicates that the white dwarf is permanently blocked by the accretion disk, and we are observing a scattering emission by a fully ionized accretion disk corona (ADC) whose column density is ~1.5 × 1023 cm-2. Through simulation we have shown that the orbital eclipse can be explained by the ADC model, such that a part of the extended X-ray emission from the ADC is blocked by the companion star filling its Roche lobe. We have found that very high surface gravity and temperature, ~1010 cm s-2 and ~100 eV, respectively, as well as a strong absorption edge at ~1.02 keV, are required to explain the X-ray energy spectrum of RX J0925.7-4758. These values are only possible for an extremely heavy white dwarf near the Chandrasekhar limit. Although the supersoft source luminosity should be ~1038 ergs s-1 at the Chandrasekhar limit, the observed luminosity of RX J0925.7-4758 is nearly 2 orders of magnitude smaller, even assuming an extreme distance of ~10 kpc. To explain the luminosity discrepancy, we propose a model in which very thick matter that was previously ejected from the system, as a form of jets, intervenes the line of sight and reduces the luminosity significantly because of Thomson scattering.

Self‐consistent Thermal Accretion Disk Corona Models for Compact Objects. I. Properties of the Corona and the Spectrum of Escaping Radiation

We present the properties of accretion disk corona (ADC) models in which the radiation field, the temperature, and the total opacity of the corona are determined self-consistently. We use a nonlinear Monte Carlo code to perform the calculations. As an example, we discuss models in which the corona is situated above and below a cold accretion disk with a plane-parallel (slab) geometry, similar to the model of Haardt & Maraschi. By Comptonizing the soft radiation emitted by the accretion disk, the corona is responsible for producing the high-energy component of the escaping radiation. Our models include the reprocessing of radiation in the accretion disk. Here the photons either are Compton-reflected or photoabsorbed, giving rise to fluorescent line emission and thermal emission. The self- consistent coronal temperature is determined by balancing heating (due to viscous energy dissipation) with Compton cooling, determined using the fully relativistic, angle-dependent cross sections. The total opacity is found by balancing pair productions with annihilations. We find that, for a disk temperature kT(sub BB) approx. less than 200 eV, these coronae are unable to have a self-consistent temperature higher than approx. 140 keV if the total optical depth is approx. less than 0.2, regardless of the compactness parameter of the corona and the seed opacity. This limitation corresponds to the angle-averaged spectrum of escaping radiation having a photon index approx. greater than 1.8 within the 5-30 keV band. Finally, all models that have reprocessing features also predict a large thermal excess at lower energies. These constraints make explaining the X-ray spectra of persistent black hole candidates with ADC models very problematic.

Self‐consistent Thermal Accretion Disk Corona Models for Compact Objects. II. Application to Cygnus X‐1

We apply our self-consistent accretion disk corona (ADC) model, with two different geometries, to the broadband X-ray spectrum of the black hole candidate Cygnus X-1. As shown in a companion paper, models in which the Comptonizing medium is a slab surrounding the cold accretion disk cannot have a temperature higher than about 140 keV for optical depths greater than 0.2, resulting in spectra that are much softer than the observed 10-30 keV spectrum of Cyg X-1. In addition, the slab-geometry models predict a substantial soft excess at low energies, a feature not observed for Cyg X-1, and Fe Kα fluorescence lines that are stronger than observed. Previous Comptonization models in the literature have invoked a slab geometry with optical depth τT 0.3 and coronal temperature Tc ~ 150 keV, but they are not self-consistent. Therefore, ADC models with a slab geometry are not appropriate for explaining the X-ray spectrum of Cyg X-1. Models with a spherical corona and an exterior disk, however, predict much higher self-consistent coronal temperatures than the slab-geometry models. The higher coronal temperatures are due to the lower amount of reprocessing of coronal radiation in the accretion disk, giving rise to a lower Compton cooling rate. Therefore, for the sphere-plus-disk geometry, the predicted spectrum can be hard enough to describe the observed X-ray continuum of Cyg X-1 while predicting Fe fluorescence lines having an equivalent width of ~40 eV. Our best-fit parameter values for the sphere-plus-disk geometry are τT ≈ 1.5 and Tc ≈ 90 keV.

Possible explanation of the γ-ray light curve and time variability in Cygnus X-3

Very high-energy (VHE) and ultra high-energy (UHE) γ rays, at around 1 TeV and 1 PeV respectively, have been observed from Cygnus X-3 predominantly in two distinct regions of orbital phase. Here we investigate whether this can be understood in terms of the accretion disk corona model of White and Holt1 developed to explain the asymmetric light curve of the low-mass X-ray binary system X1822–371. In this model, two bulges in the outer rim of the accretion disk are required to fit the observed X-ray light curve and we find these could provide target material for the production of the γ rays observed at two distinct phases. We show also that magnetic steering effects may be inevitable in Cyg X-3 and may lead to a natural explanation to the observed variability in flux and phase of γ-ray emission.

Accretion disk coronae

Recent observations of partial X-ray eclipses from 4U1822-37 have shown that the central X-ray source in this system is diffused by a large Compton-thick accretion disk corona (ADC). Another binary, 4U2129-47, also displays a partial eclipse and contains an ADC. The possible origin of an ADC is discussed and a simple hydrostatic evaporated ADC model is developed which, when applied to 4U1822-37, 4U2129+47 and Cyg X-3, can explain their temporal and spectral properties. The quasi-sinusoidal modulation of all three sources can be reconciled with the partial occultation of the ADC by a bulge at the edge of the accretion disk which is caused by the inflowing material. The height of this bulge is an order of magnitude larger than the hydrostatic disk height and is the result of turbulence in the outer region of the disk. The spectral properties of all three sources can be understood in terms of Compton scattering of the original source spectrum by the ADC. Spectral variations with epoch in Cyg X-3 are probably caused by changes in the optical depth of the corona. A consequence of our model is that any accreting neutron star X-ray source in a semi-detached binary system which is close to its Eddington limit most likely contains an optically thick ADC.