H-like Fe XXVI Research Articles

The giant outburst of 4U 0115+634 in 2011 with Suzaku and RXTE

We present an analysis of X-ray spectra of the high-mass X-ray binary 4U 0115+634 as observed with Suzaku and RXTE in 2011 July, during the fading phase of a giant X-ray outburst. We used a continuum model consisting of an absorbed cutoff power law and an ad hoc Gaussian emission feature centered around 8.5 keV, which we attribute to cyclotron emission. Our results are consistent with a fundamental cyclotron absorption line centered at ∼10.2 keV for all observed flux ranges. At the same time we rule out significant influence of the 8.5 kev Gaussian on the parameters of the cyclotron resonant scattering feature, which are not consistent with the cyclotron line energies or the depths of previously reported flux-dependent descriptions. We also show that some continuum models can lead to artificial line-like residuals in the analyzed spectra, which are then misinterpreted as unphysically strong cyclotron lines. Specifically, our results do not support the existence of a previously claimed additional cyclotron feature at ∼15 keV. Apart from these features, we find for the first time evidence for a He-like Fe XXV emission line at ∼6.7 keV and weak H-like Fe XXVI emission close to ∼7.0 keV.

AN ULTRA-FAST X-RAY DISK WIND IN THE NEUTRON STAR BINARY GX 340+0

ABSTRACT We present a spectral analysis of a brief Chandra/HETG observation of the neutron star low-mass X-ray binary GX 340+0. The high-resolution spectrum reveals evidence of ionized absorption in the Fe K band. The strongest feature, an absorption line at approximately 6.9 keV, is required at the 5σ level of confidence via an F-test. Photoionization modeling with XSTAR grids suggests that the line is the most prominent part of a disk wind with an apparent outflow speed of v = 0.04c. This interpretation is preferred at the 4σ level over a scenario in which the line is H-like Fe xxvi at a modest redshift. The wind may achieve this speed owing to its relatively low ionization, enabling driving by radiation pressure on lines; in this sense, the wind in GX 340+0 may be the stellar-mass equivalent of the flows in broad absorption line quasars. If the gas has a unity volume filling factor, the mass ouflow rate in the wind is over 10−5 M ⊙ yr−1, and the kinetic power is nearly 1039 erg s−1 (or, 5–6 times the radiative Eddington limit for a neutron star). However, geometrical considerations—including a small volume filling factor and low covering factor—likely greatly reduce these values.

Laboratory measurements of the dielectronic recombination satellite transitions of He-like Fe XXV and H-like Fe XXVI

We present laboratory spectra of dielectronic recombination (DR) satellite transitions attached to the He-like and H-like iron resonance lines obtained with the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center X-ray calorimeter and produced by a thermal plasma simulation technique on the EBIT-I electron beam ion trap at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. We demonstrate that the calorimeter has sufficient spectral resolution in the 6–9 keV range to provide reliable measurements not only of standard DR satellite to resonance line intensities but also of DR satellite to DR satellite ratios that can be used to diagnose nonthermal electron distributions. Electron temperatures derived from the measured line intensities are consistent with the temperature of the simulated plasma. Temperature measurements based on DR satellite transitions have significant advantages over those based on collisional ionization equilibrium or continuum shape. Thus, successful demonstration of this method with the X-ray calorimeter is an important step for its application in X-ray astronomy.

A FAST X-RAY DISK WIND IN THE TRANSIENT PULSAR IGR J17480–2446 IN TERZAN 5

Accretion disk winds are revealed in Chandra gratings spectra of black holes. The winds are hot and highly ionized (typically composed of He-like and H-like charge states), and show modest blue-shifts. Similar line spectra are sometimes seen in "dipping" low-mass X-ray binaries, which are likely viewed edge-on; however, that absorption is tied to structures in the outer disk, and blue-shifts are not typically observed. Here we report the detection of blue-shifted He-like Fe XXV (3100 +/- 400 km/s) and H-like Fe XXVI (1000 +/- 200 km/s) absorption lines in a Chandra/HETG spectrum of the transient pulsar and low-mass X-ray binary IGR J17480-2446 in Terzan 5. These features indicate a disk wind with at least superficial similarities to those observed in stellar-mass black holes. The wind does not vary strongly with numerous weak X-ray bursts or flares. A broad Fe K emission line is detected in the spectrum, and fits with different line models suggest that the inner accretion disk in this system may be truncated. If the stellar magnetic field truncates the disk, a field strength of B = 0.7-4.0 E+9 Gauss is implied, which is in line with estimates based on X-ray timing techniques. We discuss our findings in the context of accretion flows onto neutron stars and stellar-mass black holes.

Radiative rates and electron impact excitation rate coefficients for H-like Fe XXVI

Abstract In this paper we report on calculations on energy levels, radiative rates, collision strengths, and effective collision strengths for transitions among the lowest 36 levels of the n ≤ 6 configurations of H-like Fe XXVI. Flexible atomic code (FAC) is adopted for the calculation. Energy levels and radiative rates are calculated within relativistic configuration-interaction method. Direct excitation collision strength is calculated using relativistic distorted-wave approximation. Resonance contributions through the relevant He-like doubly excited n ′ l ′ n ″ l ″ configurations with n ′ ≤ 7 and n ″ ≤ 75 are explicitly taken into account using the isolated process and isolated resonances approximation. We present the radiative rates, oscillator strengths, and line strengths for all electric dipole (E1), magnetic dipole (M1), electric quadrupole (E2), and magnetic quadrupole (M2) transitions among the 36 levels. Furthermore, collision strengths and effective collision strengths are reported for all the 630 transitions among the above 36 levels over a wide energy (temperature) range up to 25 keV ( 10 9 K ) . Extensive comparisons are made with earlier available results and the accuracy of the data is assessed.

Radiative rates and electron impact excitation rates for H-like Fe XXVI

Aims. In this paper we report on calculations for energy levels, radiative rates, collision strengths, and effective collision strengths for transitions among the lowest 25 levels of the n ≤ 5 configurations of H-like Fe XXVI. Methods. The general-purpose relativistic atomic structure package (GRASP) and Dirac atomic R -matrix code (DARC) are adopted for the calculations. Results. Radiative rates, oscillator strengths, and line strengths are reported for all electric dipole (E1), magnetic dipole (M1), electric quadrupole (E2), and magnetic quadrupole (M2) transitions among the 25 levels. Furthermore, collision strengths and effective collision strengths are reported for all the 300 transitions among the above 25 levels over a wide energy (temperature) range up to 1500 Ryd (10 7.7 K). Comparisons are made with earlier available results and the accuracy of the data is assessed.

Charge‐Exchange Spectra of Hydrogenic and He‐like Iron

We present H-like Fe XXVI and He-like Fe XXV charge-exchange spectra resulting from collisions of highly charged iron with N2 gas at an energy of 10 eV/amu in an electron beam ion trap. Although individual high-n emission lines are not resolved in our measurements, we observe that the most likely level for Fe25+ --> Fe24+ electron capture is n~9, in line with expectations, while the most likely value for Fe26+ --> Fe25+ charge exchange is significantly higher. In the Fe XXV spectrum, the K-alpha emission feature dominates, whether produced via charge exchange or collisional excitation. The K-alpha centroid is lower in energy for the former case than the latter (6666 versus 6685 eV, respectively), as expected because of the strong enhancement of emission from the forbidden and intercombination lines, relative to the resonance line, in charge-exchange spectra. In contrast, the Fe XXVI high-n Lyman lines have a summed intensity greater than that of Ly-alpha, and are substantially stronger than predicted from theoretical calculations of charge exchange with atomic H. We conclude that the angular momentum distribution resulting from electron capture using a multi-electron target gas is significantly different from that obtained with H, resulting in the observed high-n enhancement. A discussion is presented of the relevance of our results to studies of diffuse Fe emission in the Galactic Center and Galactic Ridge, particularly with ASTRO-E2/Suzaku.

Electron‐Ion Recombination Rate Coefficients and Photoionization Cross Sections for Astrophysically Abundant Elements. V. Relativistic Calculations for Fe xxiv and Fe xxv for X‐Ray Modeling

Photoionization and recombination cross sections and rate coefficients are calculated for Li-like Fe XXIV and He-like Fe XXV using the Breit-Pauli R-matrix (BPRM) method. A complete set of total and level-specific parameters is obtained to enable X-ray photoionization and spectral modeling. The ab initio calculations for the unified (e + ion) recombination rate coefficients include both the non-resonant and the resonant recombination (radiative and di-electronic recombination, RR and DR, respectively) for (e + Fe XXV) -> Fe XXIV and (e + Fe XXVI) -> Fe XXV. The level specific rates are computed for all fine structure levels up to n = 10, enabling accurate computation of recombination-cascade matrices and effective rates for the X-ray lines. The total recombination rate coefficients for both Fe XXIV and Fe XXV differ considerably, by several factors, from the sum of RR and DR rates currently used to compute ionization fractions in astrophysical models. As the photoionization/recombination calculations are carried out using an identical eigenfunction expansion, the cross sections for both processes are theoretically self-consistent; the overall uncertainty is estimated to be about 10-20%. All data for Fe XXIV and Fe XXV (and also for H-like Fe XXVI, included for completeness) are available electronically.

The Bragg Crystal Spectrometer for SOLAR-A

The Bragg Crystal Spectrometer (BCS) is one of the instruments which makes up the scientific payload of the SOLAR-A mission. The spectrometer employs four bent germanium crystals, views the whole Sun and observes the resonance line complexes of H-like FexxvI and He-like Fexxv, Caxix, and Sxv in four narrow wavelength ranges with a resolving power (λ/ △λ) of between 3000 and 6000. The spectrometer has approaching ten times better sensitivity than that of previous instruments thus permitting a time resolution of better than 1 s to be achieved. The principal aim is the measurement of the properties of the 10 to 50 million K plasma created in solar flares with special emphasis on the heating and dynamics of the plasma during the impulsive phase. This paper summarizes the scientific objectives of the BCS and describes the design, characteristics, and performance of the spectrometers.

Plasma diagnostics with the Solar-A Bragg Crystal Spectrometer

A Bragg Crystal spectrometer is one of the instruments on the Solar-A mission. Using bent crystals, the spectrometer will observe the resonance line complexes of the H-like Fe XXVI, and He-like Fe XXV and Ca XIX ions with a sensitivity 5 to 10 times that of the SMM Bent Crystal Spectrometer. It will also study the lower temperature lines of He-like S XV. The improved sensitivity will allow observations much earlier in the impulsive phase of flares than has previously been possible. The new observations should help to answer questions about plasma heating and dynamics. As well as providing information on line profiles and shifts, the selected spectral lines will also provide electron temperature and emission measure estimates over a range from 5 to 50 MK. The onboard microprocessor will permit spectral resolution to be traded against time resolution during an observation.