The X-ray/γ-ray spectrum of XTE J1550-564 in the very high state

Marek Gierliński; Chris Done

doi:10.1046/j.1365-8711.2003.06591.x

The X-ray/γ-ray spectrum of XTE J1550-564 in the very high state

Marek Gierliński (Lead / Corresponding author), Chris Done

Computational Biology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

63 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We fit the broad-band X-ray/γ-ray spectrum (0.8-1000 keV) of the accreting black hole XTE J1550-564 in the very high state. The quasi-simultaneous data from ASCA, RXTE and OSSE (on CGRO) show that the disc is strongly Comptonized, with a high-energy tail extending out to several hundred keV. However, inverse Compton scattering by a purely thermal or purely power-law electron distribution cannot explain the observed spectrum. Instead, the data require a hybrid distribution, with both thermal and non-thermal electrons scattering the disc photons. This is very similar to the electron distribution inferred for other high and very high state black hole binaries, showing that it is a generic feature of high mass accretion rate black holes.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1083-1092
Number of pages	10
Journal	Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume	342
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-8711.2003.06591.x
Publication status	Published - 11 Jul 2003

Keywords

Accretion
Accretion discs
Radiation mechanisms: javascript:void(0);non-thermal
X-rays: binaries
X-rays: individual
XTE J1550-564

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

Access to Document

10.1046/j.1365-8711.2003.06591.x

Cite this

@article{7f1d71051b9147548f0447ffb841a85a,

title = "The X-ray/γ-ray spectrum of XTE J1550-564 in the very high state",

abstract = "We fit the broad-band X-ray/γ-ray spectrum (0.8-1000 keV) of the accreting black hole XTE J1550-564 in the very high state. The quasi-simultaneous data from ASCA, RXTE and OSSE (on CGRO) show that the disc is strongly Comptonized, with a high-energy tail extending out to several hundred keV. However, inverse Compton scattering by a purely thermal or purely power-law electron distribution cannot explain the observed spectrum. Instead, the data require a hybrid distribution, with both thermal and non-thermal electrons scattering the disc photons. This is very similar to the electron distribution inferred for other high and very high state black hole binaries, showing that it is a generic feature of high mass accretion rate black holes.",

keywords = "Accretion, Accretion discs, Radiation mechanisms: javascript:void(0);non-thermal, X-rays: binaries, X-rays: individual, XTE J1550-564",

author = "Marek Gierli{\'n}ski and Chris Done",

year = "2003",

month = jul,

day = "11",

doi = "10.1046/j.1365-8711.2003.06591.x",

language = "English",

volume = "342",

pages = "1083--1092",

journal = "Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society",

issn = "0035-8711",

publisher = "Oxford University Press",

number = "4",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - The X-ray/γ-ray spectrum of XTE J1550-564 in the very high state

AU - Gierliński, Marek

AU - Done, Chris

PY - 2003/7/11

Y1 - 2003/7/11

N2 - We fit the broad-band X-ray/γ-ray spectrum (0.8-1000 keV) of the accreting black hole XTE J1550-564 in the very high state. The quasi-simultaneous data from ASCA, RXTE and OSSE (on CGRO) show that the disc is strongly Comptonized, with a high-energy tail extending out to several hundred keV. However, inverse Compton scattering by a purely thermal or purely power-law electron distribution cannot explain the observed spectrum. Instead, the data require a hybrid distribution, with both thermal and non-thermal electrons scattering the disc photons. This is very similar to the electron distribution inferred for other high and very high state black hole binaries, showing that it is a generic feature of high mass accretion rate black holes.

AB - We fit the broad-band X-ray/γ-ray spectrum (0.8-1000 keV) of the accreting black hole XTE J1550-564 in the very high state. The quasi-simultaneous data from ASCA, RXTE and OSSE (on CGRO) show that the disc is strongly Comptonized, with a high-energy tail extending out to several hundred keV. However, inverse Compton scattering by a purely thermal or purely power-law electron distribution cannot explain the observed spectrum. Instead, the data require a hybrid distribution, with both thermal and non-thermal electrons scattering the disc photons. This is very similar to the electron distribution inferred for other high and very high state black hole binaries, showing that it is a generic feature of high mass accretion rate black holes.

KW - Accretion

KW - Accretion discs

KW - Radiation mechanisms: javascript:void(0);non-thermal

KW - X-rays: binaries

KW - X-rays: individual

KW - XTE J1550-564

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0142105422&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.2003.06591.x

DO - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.2003.06591.x

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:0142105422

SN - 0035-8711

VL - 342

SP - 1083

EP - 1092

JO - Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

JF - Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

IS - 4

ER -

The X-ray/γ-ray spectrum of XTE J1550-564 in the very high state

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this