Dimensionless Black Hole Spin Research Articles

Horizon replicas in black hole shadows

Recently, new exploratory channels have opened up for the physics of highly compact objects, such as gravitational waves and black hole shadows. Moreover, more precise analysis and observations are now possible in the physics of accretion around compact objects. These advancements provide in particular an unprecedented insight into the physics near the horizons of a black hole. In this work we focus on the shadow boundary of a Kerr black hole, introducing observables related to special null orbits, called horizons replicas, solutions of the shadow edge equations which are related to particular photon orbits, defined by constraints on their impact parameter, carrying information about the angular momentum of the central spinning object. These orbits are related to particular regions on the shadow boundary and might be used to determine the spin of the black hole. The results provide the conditions by which horizon replicas are imprinted in the black hole shadow profile, in dependence on the black hole dimensionless spin and observational angle, providing eventually new templates for the future observations.

Measurability of neutron star tidal deformability from merging neutron star-black hole binaries

The neutron star-black hole binary (NSBH) system has been considered one of the promising detection candidates for ground-based gravitational-wave (GW) detectors such as LIGO and Virgo. The tidal effects of neutron stars (NSs) are imprinted on the GW signals emitted from NSBHs as well as binary neutron stars. In this work, we study how accurately the parameter $\lambda_{\rm NS}$ can be measured in GW parameter estimation for NSBH signals. We set the parameter range for the NSBH sources to $[4M_{\odot}, 10M_{\odot}]$ for the black hole mass, $[1M_{\odot}, 2M_{\odot}]$ for the NS mass, and $[-0.9, 0.9]$ for the dimensionless black hole spin. For realistic populations of sources distributed in different parameter spaces, we calculate the measurement errors of $\lambda_{\rm NS}$ ($\sigma_{\lambda_{\rm NS}}$) using the Fisher matrix method. In particular, we perform a single-detector analysis using the advanced LIGO and the Cosmic Explorer detectors and a multi-detector analysis using the 2G (advanced LIGO-Hanford, advanced LIGO-Livingstone, advanced Virgo, and KAGRA) and the 3G (Einstein Telescope and Cosmic Explorer) networks. We show the distribution of $\sigma_{\lambda_{\rm NS}}$ for the population of sources as a one-dimensional probability density function. Our result shows that the probability density function curves are similar in shape between advanced LIGO and Cosmic Explorer, but Cosmic Explorer can achieve $\sim 15$ times better accuracy overall in the measurement of $\lambda_{\rm NS}$. In the case of the network detectors, the probability density functions are maximum at $\sigma_{\lambda_{\rm NS}} \sim 130$ and $\sim 4$ for the 2G and the 3G networks, respectively, and the 3G network can achieve $\sim 10$ times better accuracy overall.

New avenue for accurate analytical waveforms and fluxes for eccentric compact binaries

We introduce a new paradigm for constructing accurate analytic waveforms (and fluxes) for eccentric compact binaries. Our recipe builds on the standard Post-Newtonian (PN) approach but (i) retains implicit time-derivatives of the phase space variables in the instantaneous part of the noncircular waveform, and then (ii) suitably factorizes and resums this partly PN-implicit waveform using effective-one-body (EOB) procedures. We test our prescription against the exact results obtained by solving the Teukolsky equation with a test-mass source orbiting a Kerr black hole, and compare the use of the exact vs PN equations of motion for the time derivatives computation. Focusing only on the quadrupole contribution, we find that the use of the exact equations of motion yields an analytical/numerical agreement of the (averaged) angular momentum fluxes that is improved by $40\%$ with respect to previous work, with $4.5\%$ fractional difference for eccentricity $e=0.9$ and black hole dimensionless spin $-0.9\leq \hat{a}\leq +0.9$. We also find a remarkable convergence trend between Newtonian, 1PN and 2PN results. Our approach carries over to the comparable mass case using the resummed EOB equations of motion and paves the way to faithful EOB-based waveform model for long-inspiral eccentric binaries for current and future gravitational wave detectors.

Testing the black hole no-hair theorem with Galactic Center stellar orbits

Theoretical investigations have provided proof-of-principle calculations suggesting measurements of stellar or pulsar orbits near the Galactic Center could strongly constrain the properties of the Galactic Center black hole, local matter, and even the theory of gravity itself. In this work, we develop both a Markov chain Monte Carlo and an analytic model (Fisher matrix) to understand what properties are well-constrained and why. We conclude that existing astrometric measurements cannot constrain the spin of the Galactic Center black hole. Extrapolating to the precision and cadence of future experiments, we anticipate that the black hole spin can be measured with the known star S2. Our calculations show that we can measure the dimensionless black hole spin to a precision of $\sim$0.1 with weekly measurements of the orbit of S2 for 40 years using the GRAVITY telescope's best resolution at the Galactic Center. An analytic expression is derived for the measurement uncertainty of the black hole spin using the Fisher matrix in terms of observation strategy, star's orbital parameters, and instrument resolution. From it, we conclude that highly eccentric orbits can provide better constraints on the spin and that an orbit with a higher eccentricity is more favorable even when the orbital period is longer. We also apply it to S62, S4711, and S4714 and show whether they can constrain the black hole spin sooner than S2. If in addition, future measurements include the discovery of a new, tighter stellar orbit, then future data could conceivably enable tests of strong field gravity, by directly measuring the black hole quadrupole moment. Our simulations show that with a stellar orbit similar to that of S2 but at one-fifth the distance to the Galactic Center and GRAVITY's resolution limits, we can start to test the no-hair theorem with 20 years of weekly orbital measurements.

Modeling and searching for a stochastic gravitational-wave background from ultralight vector bosons

Ultralight bosons, which are predicted in a variety of beyond-Standard-Model scenarios as dark-matter candidates, can trigger the superradiant instability around spinning black holes. This instability gives rise to oscillating boson condensates which then dissipate through the emission of nearly monochromatic gravitational waves. Such systems are promising sources for current and future gravitational-wave detectors. In this work, we consider minimally-coupled, massive vector bosons, which can produce a significantly stronger gravitational-wave signal compared to the scalar case. We adopt recently obtained numerical results for the gravitational-wave flux, and astrophysical models of black hole populations that include both isolated black holes and binary merger remnants, to compute and study in detail the stochastic gravitational-wave background emitted by these sources. Using a Bayesian framework, we search for such a background signal emitted using data from the first and second observing runs of Advanced LIGO. We find no evidence for such a signal. Therefore, the results allow us to constrain minimally coupled vector fields with masses in the range $0.8\times10^{-13}\mathrm{eV}\leq m_b\leq 6.0\times10^{-13}\mathrm{eV}$ at 95% credibility, assuming optimistically that the dimensionless spin distribution for the isolated black hole population is uniform in the range $[0,1]$. With more pessimistic assumptions, a narrower range around $m_b\approx 10^{-13}\mathrm{eV}$ can still be excluded as long as the upper end of the uniform distribution for dimensionless black hole spin is $\gtrsim 0.2$.

Relativistic, axisymmetric, viscous, radiation hydrodynamic simulations of geometrically thin discs. II. Disc variability

ABSTRACT An analysis of two-dimensional viscous, radiation hydrodynamic numerical simulations of thin α-discs around a stellar mass black hole reveals multiple robust, coherent oscillations. Our disc models are initialized on both the gas- and radiation-pressure-dominated branches of the thermal equilibrium curve, with mass accretion rates between $\dot{M} = 0.01 L_\mathrm{Edd}/c^2$ and $10\, L_\mathrm{Edd}/c^2$. In the initially radiation-pressure-dominated disc, we confirm the presence of global inertial–acoustic oscillations of frequency slightly above the maximum radial epicyclic one. In the gas-pressure-dominated Schwarzschild-metric models, we find a velocity oscillation occurring at the maximum value of the radial epicyclic frequency, $3.5\times 10^{-3}\, t_\mathrm{g}^{-1}$, which is most likely a trapped fundamental g-mode. For the Kerr-metric, gas-pressure-dominated disc with dimensionless black hole spin parameter a* = 0.5, the mode frequency is well below the epicyclic frequency maximum, thus confirming that this oscillation is a trapped g-mode. Additionally, the total pressure fluctuations in the discs strongly suggest standing-wave p-modes with frequencies below the apparent g-mode frequency, some trapped in the inner disc close to the innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO), others present in the middle/outer parts of the disc. The strongest oscillations occur at the breathing oscillation frequency and are present in all the numerical models we report here, as are weaker velocity oscillations at the vertical epicyclic frequencies. The vertical oscillations show a 3:2 frequency ratio with oscillations occurring approximately at the radial epicyclic frequency, which could be of astrophysical importance in systems with observed twin peak, high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations.

Broad-band reflection spectroscopy of MAXI J1535–571 using AstroSat: estimation of black hole mass and spin

We report the results from \textit{AstroSat} observations of the transient Galactic black hole X-ray binary MAXI J1535-571 during its hard-intermediate state of the 2017 outburst. We systematically study the individual and joint spectra from two simultaneously observing \textit{AstroSat} X-ray instruments, and probe and measure a number of parameter values of accretion disc, corona and reflection from the disc in the system using models with generally increasing complexities. Using our broadband ($1.3-70$ keV) X-ray spectrum, we clearly show that a soft X-ray instrument, which works below $\sim 10-12$ keV, alone cannot correctly characterize the Comptonizing component from the corona, thus highlighting the importance of broadband spectral analysis. By fitting the reflection spectrum with the latest version of the \textsc{relxill} family of relativistic reflection models, we constrain the black hole's dimensionless spin parameter to be $0.67^{+0.16}_{-0.04}$. We also jointly use the reflection spectral component (\textsc{relxill}) and a general relativistic thin disc component (\texttt{Kerrbb}), and estimate the black hole's mass and distance to be $10.39_{-0.62}^{+0.61} M_{\odot}$ and $5.4_{-1.1}^{+1.8}$ kpc respectively.

RADs energetics and constraints on emerging tori collisions around super-massive Kerr black holes

We provide constraints on possible configurations and interactions of two coplanar tori orbiting a central Kerr black hole (BH), in dependence on its dimensionless spin. The two-tori configurations can be directly linked to the current models featuring the obscuration of galactic BH X-ray emission. The emergence of each torus instability phases is discussed and tori collision has been also investigated. The first simple evaluation of the center-of-mass energy proves that collision-energy-efficiency increases with the dimensionless BH spin. We explore the phenomenological aspects of the corotating and counterrotating tori by analyzing properties of the orbiting toroidal configurations related to the fluid enthalpy flux, the mass-flux, the mass-accretion-rates, and the cusp luminosity in the two cases of corotating and counterrotating fluids in dependence on the SMBH spin. The analysis resulted ultimately in a comparative investigation of the properties of corotating versus counterrotating tori, demonstrating that two accretion tori can orbit around the central Kerr attractor only under very specific conditions. Our results also demonstrate that the dynamics of the unstable phases of these double tori systems is significant for the high energy phenomena which could be observable in the X-ray emission and extremely energetic phenomena in active galactic nuclei and quasar.

AstroSat and Chandra View of the High Soft State of 4U 1630–47 (4U 1630–472): Evidence of the Disk Wind and a Rapidly Spinning Black Hole

Abstract We present the X-ray spectral and timing analysis of the transient black hole X-ray binary 4U 1630–47, observed with the AstroSat, Chandra, and MAXI space missions during its soft X-ray outburst in 2016. The outburst, from the rising phase until the peak, is detected neither in hard X-rays (15–50 keV) by the Swift/BAT nor in radio. Such nondetection, along with the source behavior in the hardness–intensity and color–color diagrams obtained using MAXI data, confirms that both Chandra and AstroSat observations were performed during the HS spectral state. The High Energy Grating (HEG) spectrum from the Chandra High-Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer shows two strong, moderately blueshifted absorption lines at keV and keV, which are produced by Fe xxv and Fe xxvi in a low-velocity ionized disk wind. The corresponding outflow velocity is determined to be 366 ± 56 km s−1. Separate spectral fits of Chandra/HEG, AstroSat/SXT+LAXPC, and Chandra/HEG+AstroSat/SXT+LAXPC data show that the broadband continuum can be well described with a relativistic disk blackbody model, with a disk flux fraction of ∼0.97. Based on the best-fit continuum spectral modeling of Chandra, AstroSat, and Chandra+AstroSat joint spectra and using the Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations, we constrain the spectral hardening factor at and the dimensionless black hole spin parameter at 0.92 ± 0.04 within the 99.7% confidence interval. Our conclusion of a rapidly spinning black hole in 4U 1630–47 using the continuum spectrum method is in agreement with a previous finding applying the reflection spectral fitting method.

Proto-jet configurations in RADs orbiting a Kerr SMBH: symmetries and limiting surfaces

Ringed accretion disks (RADs) are agglomerations of perfect-fluid tori orbiting around a single central attractor that could arise during complex matter inflows in active galactic nuclei. We focus our analysis to axi-symmetric accretion tori orbiting in the equatorial plane of a supermassive Kerr black hole; equilibrium configurations, possible instabilities, and evolutionary sequences of RADs were discussed in our previous works. In the present work we discuss special instabilities related to open equipotential surfaces governing the material funnels emerging at various regions of the RADs, being located between two or more individual toroidal configurations of the agglomerate. These open structures could be associated to proto-jets. Boundary limiting surfaces are highlighted, connecting the emergency of the jet-like instabilities with the black hole dimensionless spin. These instabilities are observationally significant for active galactic nuclei, being related to outflows of matter in jets emerging from more than one torus of RADs orbiting around supermassive black holes.

Directly comparing GW150914 with numerical solutions of Einstein’s equations for binary black hole coalescence

We compare GW150914 directly to simulations of coalescing binary black holes in full general relativity, accounting for all the spin-weighted quadrupolar modes, and separately accounting for all the quadrupolar and octopolar modes. Consistent with the posterior distributions reported in LVC_PE[1] (at 90% confidence), we find the data are compatible with a wide range of nonprecessing and precessing simulations. Followup simulations performed using previously-estimated binary parameters most resemble the data. Comparisons including only the quadrupolar modes constrain the total redshifted mass Mz \in [64 - 82M_\odot], mass ratio q = m2/m1 \in [0.6,1], and effective aligned spin \chi_eff \in [-0.3, 0.2], where \chi_{eff} = (S1/m1 + S2/m2) \cdot\hat{L} /M. Including both quadrupolar and octopolar modes, we find the mass ratio is even more tightly constrained. Simulations with extreme mass ratios and effective spins are highly inconsistent with the data, at any mass. Several nonprecessing and precessing simulations with similar mass ratio and \chi_{eff} are consistent with the data. Though correlated, the components' spins (both in magnitude and directions) are not significantly constrained by the data. For nonprecessing binaries, interpolating between simulations, we reconstruct a posterior distribution consistent with previous results. The final black hole's redshifted mass is consistent with Mf,z between 64.0 - 73.5M_\odot and the final black hole's dimensionless spin parameter is consistent with af = 0.62 - 0.73. As our approach invokes no intermediate approximations to general relativity and can strongly reject binaries whose radiation is inconsistent with the data, our analysis provides a valuable complement to LVC_PE[1].

Accuracy in measuring the neutron star mass in the gravitational wave parameter estimation for black hole-neutron star binaries

Recently, two gravitational wave (GW) signals, named as GW150914 and GW151226, have been detected by the two LIGO detectors. Although both signals were identified as originating from merging black hole (BH) binaries, GWs from systems containing neutron stars (NSs) are also expected to be detected in the near future by the Advanced detector network. In this work, we assess the accuracy in measuring the NS mass ($M_{ns}$) for the GWs from BH-NS binaries adopting the Advanced LIGO sensitivity with a signal-to-noise ratio of 10. By using the Fisher matrix method, we calculate the measurement errors ($\sigma$) in $M_{ns}$ assuming the NS mass of $1 \leq M_{ns}/M_{\odot} \leq 2$ and low mass BHs with the range of $4 \leq M_{bh}/M_{\odot} \leq 10$. We used the TaylorF2 waveform model where the spins are aligned with the orbital angular momentum, but here we only consider the BH spins. We find that the fractional errors ($\sigma/M_{ns} \times 100$) are in the range of $10\% - 50\%$ in our mass region for a given dimensionless BH spin as $\chi_{bh} = 0$. The errors tend to increase as the BH spin increases, and this tendency is stronger for higher NS masses (or higher total masses). In particular, for the highest mass NSs ($M_{ns}=2~M_{\odot}$), the errors $\sigma$ can be larger than the true value of $M_{ns}$ if the dimensionless BH spin exceeds $\sim 0.6$.

Circular orbits and related quasiharmonic oscillatory motion of charged particles around weakly magnetized rotating black holes

We study motion of charged particles in the field of a rotating black hole immersed into an external asymptotically uniform magnetic field, focusing on the epicyclic quasi-circular orbits near the equatorial plane. Separating the circular orbits into four qualitatively different classes according to the sign of the canonical angular momentum of the motion and the orientation of the Lorentz force, we analyse the circular orbits using the so called force formalism. We find the analytical solutions for the radial profiles of velocity, specific angular momentum and specific energy of the circular orbits in dependence on the black hole dimensionless spin and the magnetic field strength. The innermost stable circular orbits are determined for all four classes of the circular orbits. The stable circular orbits with outward oriented Lorentz force can extend to radii lower than the radius of the corresponding photon circular geodesic. We calculate the frequencies of the harmonic oscillatory motion of the charged particles in the radial and vertical directions related to the equatorial circular orbits and study the radial profiles of the radial, $\omega_\mir$, vertical, $\omega_\mit$, and orbital, $\omega_\mip$, frequencies, finding significant differences in comparison to the epicyclic geodesic circular motion. The most important new phenomenon is existence of toroidal charged particle epicyclic motion with $\omega_\mir \sim \omega_{\mit} >> \omega_{\mip}$ that could occur around retrograde circular orbits with outward oriented Lorentz force. We demonstrate that for the rapidly rotating black holes the role of the 'Wald induced charge' can be relevant.

Gravitational-wave cutoff frequencies of tidally disruptive neutron star-black hole binary mergers

Tidal disruption has a dramatic impact on the outcome of neutron star-black hole mergers. The phenomenology of these systems can be divided in three classes: nondisruptive, mildly disruptive or disruptive. The cutoff frequency of the gravitational radiation produced during the merger (which is potentially measurable by interferometric detectors) is very different in each regime, and when the merger is disuptive it carries information on the neutron star equation of state. Here we use semianalytical tools to derive a formula for the critical binary mass ratio $Q=M_{\rm BH}/M_{\rm NS}$ below which mergers are disruptive as a function of the stellar compactness $\mathcal{C}=M_{\rm NS}/R_{\rm NS}$ and the dimensionless black hole spin $\chi$. We then employ a new gravitational waveform amplitude model, calibrated to $134$ general relativistic numerical simulations of binaries with black hole spin (anti-)aligned with the orbital angular momentum, to obtain a fit to the gravitational-wave cutoff frequency in the disruptive regime as a function of $\mathcal{C}$, $Q$ and $\chi$. Our findings are important to build gravitational wave template banks, to determine whether neutron star-black hole mergers can emit electromagnetic radiation (thus helping multimessenger searches), and to improve event rate calculations for these systems.

Black hole spin inferred from 3:2 epicyclic resonance model of high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations

Estimations of black hole spin in the three Galactic microquasars GRS 1915+105, GRO J1655-40, and XTE J1550-564 have been carried out based on spectral and timing X-ray measurements and various theoretical concepts. Among others, a non-linear resonance between axisymmetric epicyclic oscillation modes of an accretion disc around a Kerr black hole has been considered as a model for the observed high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (HF QPOs). Estimates of spin predicted by this model have been derived based on the geodesic approximation of the accreted fluid motion. Here we assume accretion flow described by the model of a pressure-supported torus and carry out related corrections to the mass-spin estimates. We find that for dimensionless black hole spin a<0.9, the resonant eigenfrequencies are very close to those calculated for the geodesic motion. Their values slightly grow with increasing torus thickness. These findings agree well with results of a previous study carried out in the pseudo-Newtonian approximation. The situation becomes different for a>0.9, in which case the resonant eigenfrequencies rapidly decrease as the torus thickness increases. We conclude that the assumed non-geodesic effects shift the lower limit of the spin, implied for the three microquasars by the epicyclic model and independently measured masses, from a~0.7 to a~0.6. Their consideration furthermore confirms compatibility of the model with the rapid spin of GRS 1915+105 and provides highly testable predictions of the QPO frequencies. Individual sources with a moderate spin (a<0.9) should exhibit a smaller spread of the measured 3:2 QPO frequencies than sources with a near-extreme spin (a~1). This should be further examined using the large amount of high-resolution data expected to become available with the next generation of X-ray instruments, such as the proposed Large Observatory for X-ray Timing (LOFT).

Tilted black hole accretion disc models of Sagittarius A*: time-variable millimetre to near-infrared emission

High-resolution, multi-wavelength, and time-domain observations of the Galactic centre black hole candidate, Sgr A*, allow for a direct test of contemporary accretion theory. To date, all models have assumed alignment between the accretion disc and black hole angular momentum axes, but this is unjustified for geometrically thick accretion flows like that onto Sgr A*. Instead, we calculate images and spectra from a set of simulations of accretion flows misaligned ('tilted') by 15 degrees from the black hole spin axis and compare them with millimetre (mm) to near-infrared (NIR) observations. Non-axisymmetric standing shocks from eccentric fluid orbits dominate the emission, leading to a wide range of possible image morphologies. These effects invalidate previous parameter estimates from model fitting, including estimates of the dimensionless black hole spin, except possibly at low values of spin or tilt. At 1.3mm, the images have crescent morphologies, and the black hole shadow may still be accessible to future mm-VLBI observations. Shock heating leads to high energy electrons (T > 10^12 K), which can naturally produce the observed NIR flux, spectral index, and rapid variability ('flaring'). This NIR emission is uncorrelated with that in the mm, which also agrees with observations. These are the first models to self-consistently explain the time-variable mm to NIR emission of Sgr A*. Predictions of the model include significant structural changes observable with mm-VLBI on both the dynamical (hour) and Lense-Thirring precession (day-year) timescales; and ~30-50 microarcsecond changes in centroid position from extreme gravitational lensing events during NIR flares, detectable with the future VLT instrument GRAVITY. If the observed NIR emission is caused by shock heating in a tilted accretion disc, then the Galactic centre black hole has a positive, non-zero spin parameter (a > 0).

Multi-resonance orbital model of high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations: possible high-precision determination of black hole and neutron star spin

Using known frequencies of the twin-peak high-frequency quasiperiodic oscillations (HF QPOs) and known mass of the central black hole, the black-hole dimensionless spin can be determined by assuming a concrete version of the resonance model. However, a wide range of observationally limited values of the black hole mass implies low precision of the spin estimates. We discuss the possibility of higher precision of the black hole spin measurements in the framework of a multi-resonance model inspired by observations of more than two HF QPOs in the black hole systems, which are expected to occur at two (or more) different radii of the accretion disc. For the black hole systems we focus on the special case of duplex frequencies, when the top, bottom, or mixed frequency is common at two different radii where the resonances occur giving triple frequency sets. The sets of triple frequency ratios and the related spin are given. The strong resonance model for "magic" values of the black hole spin means that two (or more) versions of resonance could occur at the same radius, allowing cooperative effects between the resonances. For neutron star systems we introduce a resonant switch model that assumes switching of oscillatory modes at resonant points. In the case of doubled twin-peak HF QPOs excited at two different radii with common top, bottom, or mixed frequency, the black hole spin is given by the triple frequency ratio set. The spin is determined precisely, but not uniquely, because the same frequency set could correspond to more than one concrete spin. The black hole mass is given by the magnitude of the observed frequencies. The resonant switch model puts relevant limits on the mass and spin of neutron stars, and we expect a strong increase in the fitting procedure precision when different twin oscillatory modes are applied to data in the vicinity of different resonant points.

Multi-resonance orbital model of HF QPOs

AbstractUsing known frequencies of the twin peak high-frequency quasiperiodic oscillations (HF QPOs) and known mass M of the central black hole, the black-hole dimensionless spin a can be determined assuming a concrete version of the resonance model. However, large range of observationally limited values of the black hole mass implies a low precision of the spin estimates. We discuss the possibility of higher precision of the black hole spin a measurements in the framework of multi-resonance model inspired by observations of more than two HF QPOs in some black hole sources. We determine the spin and mass dependence of the twin peak frequencies with a general rational ratio n:m assuming a non-linear resonance of oscillations with the epicyclic and Keplerian frequencies or their combinations. In the multi-resonant model, the twin peak resonances are combined properly to give the observed frequency set. We focus on the special case of duplex frequencies, when the top, bottom, or mixed frequency is common at two different radii where the resonances occur giving triple frequency sets.

On the determination of the spin of the black hole in Cyg X-1 from X-ray reflection spectra

The spin of Cygnus X-1 is measured by fitting reflection models to Suzaku data covering the energy band 0.9–400 keV. The inner radius of the accretion disc is found to lie within 2 gravitational radii (rg=GM/c2), and a value of is obtained for the dimensionless black hole spin. This agrees with recent measurements using the continuum fitting method by Gou et al. and of the broad iron line by Duro et al. The disc inclination is measured at ⁠, which is consistent with the recent optical measurement of the binary system inclination by Orosz et al. of 27°± 0°.8. We pay special attention to the emissivity profile caused by irradiation of the inner disc by the hard power-law source. The X-ray observations and simulations show that the index q of that profile deviates from the commonly used, Newtonian, value of 3 within 3rg, steepening considerably within 2rg, as expected in the strong gravity regime.

A disc-corona model for a rotating black hole

We propose a disc-corona model in which a geometrically thin, optically thick disc surrounds a Kerr black hole, and magnetic fields exert a time-steady torque on the inner edge of the accretion disc. The analytical expression of the total gravitational power is derived from the thin-disc dynamics equations by using this new boundary condition. It is shown that the magnetic torque can considerably enhance the amount of energy released in the disc-corona system. Furthermore, the global solutions of this disc-corona system are obtained numerically. We find that the fraction of the power dissipated into the corona in the total for such disc-corona system increases with the increasing dimensionless black hole spin parameter $a_\ast $, but is insensitive on the $\Delta \varepsilon $ which is the additional radiative efficiency parameter relevant to magnetic torque, for $\Delta\varepsilon > 1$. In addition, the emerged spectra from this disc-corona system are simulated by using Monte-Carlo method, and the effect of the different parameters on the output spectra is discussed.