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NASA NTRS2020

Comparing X-ray Color Selection in Separating X-ray Binary Classes using Color-Color-Intensity Diagrams

X-ray binaries exhibit a wide range of properties but there are few accepted methods to determine the nature of the compact object. Color-Color-Intensity diagrams have been suggested as a means of distinguishing between systems containing black holes from those containing neutron stars. However, this technique has been verified with data from only one instrument (RXTE/ASM) with a single set of X-ray colors defined using data available only in pre-determined energy bands. We test a selection of X-ray colors with a more sensitive instrument to determine the reliability of this method. We use data from the MAXI/Gas Slit Camera, which allows users to specify energy-bands. We test X-ray colors that have been previously defined in the literature as well as ones that we define specifically in this paper. A representative set of systems are used to construct Color-Color-Intensity diagrams in each set of colors to determine which are best for separating different classes. For studying individual sources certain bands are more effective than others. For a specified energy range, the separation of soft states in black hole binaries was possible only where both soft and hard colors included information from the lowest energy band. We confirm that Color-Color-Intensity diagrams can distinguish between systems containing black holes or neutron stars in all X-ray colors tested; this suggests an universality in the accretion processes governing these different classes. We suggest possible physical processes driving different classes of X-ray binaries to different locations in Color-Color-Intensity diagrams.

N Islam↗

NASA NTRS2016

Reflectivity Around the Gold M-Edges of X-ray Reflector of the Soft X-Ray Telescope Onboard ASTRO-H

The X-ray astronomy satellite ASTRO-H are equipped with two equivalent soft X-ray telescopes (SXT-I and SXT-S) which cover the energy band 0.3-12 keV. The X-ray reflectors of the SXTs are coated with a gold monolayer by means of the replication technique. A series of gold M absorption edges in the 2-4 keV band causes complex structures in the energy response of the SXTs. In the same band, there are astrophysically important emission lines from Si, Ar and S. Since the SXS has unprecedentedly high spectral resolution, we have measured the reflectivity around the gold M-edges in an extremely fine energy pitch at the synchrotron radiation facility KEK PF BL11-B, with the 2 eV pitch in 2100 eV to 4100 eV band that covers the entire series of the absorption edges (M-I through M-V) at grazing incident angles to the reflectors of 0.5, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4 degree, and with a finer pitch of 0.25 eV in the 2200 eV to 2350 eV band where the two deepest M-IV and M-V edges are included. In the resultant reflectivity curves, we have clearly identified the fine structures associated with all the M-edges. Using these data, we calculated atomic scattering factor f1 as a function of X-ray energy, with which we have built the mirror response function which can be applied to the Suzaku spectra. As a result, we have found that discrepancy of the spectral model to the Suzaku data of 4U1630-472 (a black hole transient) and the Crab nebula around the M-edges are significantly reduced from those with the official Suzaku response.

ASTRO-H↗

NASA NTRS2016

A Correlation Between the Intrinsic Brightness and Average Decay Rate of Gamma-Ray Burst X-Ray Afterglow Light Curves

We present a correlation between the average temporal decay (alpha X,avg, greater than 200 s) and early-time luminosity (LX,200 s) of X-ray afterglows of gamma-ray bursts as observed by the Swift X-ray Telescope. Both quantities are measured relative to a rest-frame time of 200 s after the gamma-ray trigger. The luminosity â€" average decay correlation does not depend on specific temporal behavior and contains one scale-independent quantity minimizing the role of selection effects. This is a complementary correlation to that discovered by Oates et al. in the optical light curves observed by the Swift Ultraviolet Optical Telescope. The correlation indicates that, on average, more luminous X-ray afterglows decay faster than less luminous ones, indicating some relative mechanism for energy dissipation. The X-ray and optical correlations are entirely consistent once corrections are applied and contamination is removed. We explore the possible biases introduced by different light-curve morphologies and observational selection effects, and how either geometrical effects or intrinsic properties of the central engine and jet could explain the observed correlation.

gamma-ray burst: general X-rays: burst↗

NASA NTRS1975

One-dimensional focusing X-ray telescope for stellar X-ray astronomy

A one-dimensional X-ray telescope of the Kirkpatrick-Baez design is described. The instrument consists of a grazing-incidence X-ray telescope and a multiwire proportional counter. The optics were provided with a gold reflecting surface to yield an energy response from below 0.25 to above 4.0 keV. The angular resolution of the system is 6 min by 9.5 deg over a 1.1 deg by 9.5 deg field of view.

Helava, H.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Chandra X-Ray Observations of the Anomalous X-Ray Pulsar 1E 2259+58.6

We present X-ray imaging, timing, and phase resolved spectroscopy of the anomalous X-ray pulsar 1E 2259+58.6 using the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Time resolved X-ray spectra show no significant variation as a function of pulsar spin phase. The phase averaged spectrum is well described by a powerlaw plus blackbody model; we find no evidence for spectral features. We derive a spin period. We have detected a halo beyond the central source, possibly due to dust scattering in the ISM (interstellar matter).

Patel, Sandeep K.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Observation of the X-ray source Sco X-1 from Skylab

An attempt to observe the discrete X-ray source Sco X-1 on 20 September 1973 between 0856 and 0920 UT is reported. Data obtained with the ATM/S-056 X-ray event analyzer, in particular the flux observed with the 1.71 to 4.96 KeV counter, is analyzed. No photographic image of the source was obtained because Sco X-1 was outside the field of view of the X-ray telescope.

Wilson, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1989

A unified model of accretion flows and X ray emission in low mass X ray binary systems

Recent work on a unified model of accretion flows and X-ray emission in low mass X-ray binaries is summarized. In this model, a weakly magnetic neutron star accretes gas simultaneously from a Keplerian disk and a corona above the inner part of the disk. Photons are produced and escape through an approximately radial inflow of gas captured from the inner disk corona. Changes in the optical depths of the central corona and the radial flow may explain the Z-shaped hardness-intensity and color-color tracks observed in the most luminous sources. Numerical simulations show that the radial flow oscillates when the luminosity rises to within a few percent of the Eddington critical luminosity L sub E, and that the oscillation frequency is approximately 5 to 10 Hz if the radial flow develops approximately 300 km from the neutron star. The 10 to 20 Hz oscillations observed in Sco X-1 when it is on the flaring branch are discussed.

Lamb, F. K.↗

NASA NTRS1981

An X-ray active region in Orion - X-rays from a Herbig-Haro object

The Imaging Proportional Counter on the Einstein X-ray Observatory has observed an approximately 1.0 deg square region in Orion centered near right ascension (1950) = 5 hours 34 min, declination = -6 deg 47 arcmin. This is an area containing a dark cloud with evidence for recent star formation and several Herbig-Haro objects. Some 25 stellar X-ray sources are found, and several are identified with stars which have X-ray luminosities at the upper end of the distribution of X-ray luminosity versus stellar type. In addition there is evidence for X-ray emission associated with HH 1 which can provide support for models which include strong stellar winds interacting with the interstellar medium.

Pravdo, S. H.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Discrete X-ray sources and the X-ray background

Since the discovery of a highly uniform X-ray background (XRB) in the 2 to 10 keV range, its nature is not yet fully explained. It appears clear from the results of Einstein medium and deep surveys that at least 50% of the XRB is due to individual extragalactic sources when their contribution is integrated to Z = 3. This includes contribution from Quasi Stellar Objects (QSOs), Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs), galaxies, and clusters of galaxies. The average spectrum of each of the individual contributing sources is softer than that of the observed XRB. Therefore, the remaining contribution must have a rather hard spectrum of alpha nearly equal to 0.0 to 0.2. It is unlikely that this spectrum can be produced by diffuse processes. Therefore, the remainder of the XRB must be due to individual sources with the appropriate spectrum. This requires either that the spectrum of the already identified sources changes at early epochs or a new class of objects. Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) observations will extend survey sensitivity to limiting fluxes of order of 3 x 10 to the minus 16 erg/sq cm/s, some 50 times fainter than any previous survey. There will be sufficient sensitivity and angular resolution to permit identification and study of these objects.

Giacconi, Riccardo↗

NASA NTRS1989

The cryogenic subsystem for the X-ray spectrometer on the Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF)

The X-ray Spectrometer (XRS) instrument on the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) will use X-ray detectors that operate at 0.1 K. The detectors will be maintained at 0.1 K by an Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator (ADR) that operates inside a liquid helium dewar. The ADR rejects approximately 2 mW of heat to the stored liquid helium. With this low instrument heat load, the liquid helium dewar will have a long lifetime if the parasitic heat load on the helium from the surrounding warm facility is minimized. Spaceborne helium dewars typically use up to 3 vapor cooled shields to intercept the parasitic heat load. The XRS will add mechanical coolers to provide additional cooling to the outer vapor cooled shield. The cryogenic system consists of an ADR, a liquid helium dewar, mechanical coolers, and a thermal strap to connect the coolers to the dewar. The lifetime of the stored cryogen is calculated to be up to 5 years. This cryogenic system is described, with particular attention given to the dewar, mechanical cooler, and ADR design, testing, and trade studies. A breadboard ADR is presently being fabricated and tested. The status of the construction and testing of this breadboard will be described.

Castles, Stephen H.↗

NASA NTRS1995

An extended galactic population of low-luminosity x-ray sources (CVs?) and the diffuse x-ray background

The incompatibility of the properties of the X-ray background (XRB) with active galactic nuclei (AGNs) contributing approximately greater than 60% at energies of a few keV has often been interpreted as being due to a substantial contribution of a new population of yet unrecognized X-ray sources. The existence of such population has been recently suggested also by an analysis of very deep ROSAT observations which revealed a considerable excess of faint X-ray sources over that expected from QSO evolution models, and that the average spectrum of the resolved sources becomes harder with decreasing flux limit. These sources could be extragalactic in origin, but if they make a substantial contribution to the XRB then they must exhibit much weaker clustering than galaxies or QSOs in order to be consistent with the stringent constraints on source clustering imposed by autocorrelation analyses of the unresolved XRB. We investigate the possibility that the indicated new population of X-ray sources is Galactic in origin. Examining spherical halo and thick disk distributions, we derive the allowed properties of such populations which would resolve the discrepancy found in the number counts of faint sources and be consistent with observational constraints on the total background intensity, the XRB anisotropy, the number of unidentified bright sources, the Galaxy's total X-ray luminosity, and with the results of fluctuation analyses of the unresolved XRB. We find that a flattened Galactic halo (or a thick disk) distribution with a scale height of a few kpc is consistent with all the above requirements. The typical X-ray luminosity of the sources is approximately equal to 10(exp 30-31)ergs/s in the 0.5-2 keV band, the number density of sources in the solar vicinity is approximately 10(exp -4.5)pc(exp -3), their total number in the Galaxy is approximately 10(exp 8.5), and their total contribution to the Galaxy's X-ray luminosity is approximately 10(exp 39) ergs/s. We discuss the possible nature of these soures, including their being subdwarfs, low mass x-ray binaries (LMXBs), massive black holes, and old neutron stars. We argue that the inferred X-ray and optical luminosities of these sources, the slope of their energy spectrum, and the derived local number density and spatial distribution are all consistent with their being intrinsically faint cataclysmic variables with low accretion rates. We suggest a few possibilities for the origin of such population, including an origin from disrupted globular clusters or dark clusters. We make predictions and suggest tests that could either confirm or rule out our proposal in the near future.

Maoz, Eyal↗

NASA NTRS1986

Evidence for beamed electrons in a limb X-ray flare observed by Hard X-Ray Imaging Spectrometer (HXIS)

The limb flare of November 18, 1980, 14:51 UT, was investigated on the basis of X-ray images taken by the Hard X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (HXIS) and of X-ray spectra from the Hard X-Ray Burst Spectrometer (HXRBS) aboard the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM). The impulsive burst was also recorded at microwave frequencies between 2 and 20 GHz whereas no optical flare and no radio event at frequencies below 1 GHz were reported. The flare occurred directly at the SW limb of the solar disk. Taking advantage of the spatial resolution of HXIS images, the time evolution of the X-radiation originating from relatively small source regions can be studied. Using Monte Carlo computations of the energy distribution of energetic electrons traversing the solar plasma, the bremsstrahlung spectra produced by the electrons were derived.

Haug, Eberhard↗

NASA NTRS2000

Characterization of X-Ray Diffraction System with a Microfocus X-Ray Source and a Polycapillary Optic

We present here an optimized microfocus x-ray source and polycapillary optic system designed for diffraction of small protein crystals. The x-ray beam is formed by a 5.5mm focal length capillary collimator coupled with a 40 micron x-ray source operating at 46Watts. Measurements of the x-ray flux, the divergence and the spectral characteristics of the beam are presented, This optimized system provides a seven fold greater flux than our recently reported configuration [M. Gubarev, et al., J. of Applied Crystallography (2000) 33, in press]. We now make a comparison with a 5kWatts rotating anode generator (Rigaku) coupled with confocal multilayer focusing mirrors (Osmic, CMF12- 38Cu6). The microfocus x-ray source and polycapillary collimator system delivers 60% of the x-ray flux from the rotating anode system. Additional ways to improve our microfocus x-ray system, and thus increase the x-ray flux will be discussed.

Gubarev, Mikhail↗

NASA NTRS1981

X-ray bursters and the X-ray sources of the galactic bulge

An attempt is made to distill from observational and theoretical information on the galactic bulge X-ray sources in general, and on the X-ray burst sources in particular, those aspects which seem to have the greatest relevance to the understanding of these sources. Galactic bulge sources appear to be collapsed objects of roughly solar mass, in most cases neutron stars, which are accreting matter from low-mass stellar companions. Type I bursts seem to result from thermonuclear flashes in the surface layers of some of these neutron stars, while the type II bursts from the Rapid Burster are almost certainly due to an instability in the accretion flow onto a neutron star. It is concluded that the studies cited offer a new and powerful observational handle on the fundamental properties of neutron stars and of the interacting binary systems in which they are often contained.

Lewin, W. H. G.↗

NASA NTRS2019

A High Spectral Resolution Study of the Soft X-Ray Background with the X-Ray Quantum Calorimeter

We present here a combined analysis of four high spectral resolution observations of the Diffuse X-ray Background, made using the University of Wisconsin-Madison/ Goddard Space Flight Center X-ray Quantum Calorimeter sounding rocket payload. The observed spectra support the existence of a ∼0.1 keV Local Hot Bubble and a ∼0.2 keV Hot Halo, with discrepancies between repeated observations compatible with expected contributions of time-variable emission from Solar Wind Charge Exchange. An additional component of ∼0.9 keV emission observed only at low galactic latitudes can be consistently explained by unresolved dwarf M stars.

Dallas Wulf↗

NASA NTRS1992

X-ray scattering measurements from thin foil X-ray mirrors

Thin foil X-ray mirrors are to be used as the reflecting elements in the telescopes of the X-ray satellites Spectrum-X-Gamma (SRG) and ASTRO-D. High resolution X-ray scattering measurements from the Au coated and dip-lacquered Al foils are presented. These were obtained from SRG mirrors positioned in a test quadrant of the telescope structure and from ASTRO-D foils held in a simple fixture. The X-ray data is compared with laser data and other surface structure data such as STM, atomic force microscopy (AFM), TEM, and electron micrography. The data obtained at Cu K-alpha(1), (8.05 keV) from all the mirrors produced on Al foils shows a scatter which limits the obtainable half-power width to above 1.5 arcmin. Mirrors based on electroformed Ni foils, however, show local regions with a factor of 4 better performance, and they are being developed for future applications.

Christensen, F. E.↗

NASA NTRS2011

Confirmation of IGR J01363 plus 6610 as a Be X-Ray Binary with Very Low Quiescent X-Ray Luminosity

The field containing the candidate High Mass X-ray Binary IGR J01 363+6610 was observed by XMM-Newton on 2009 July 31 for 28 ks. A Be star was previously suggested as the possible counterpart of the INTEGRAL source, and although Chandra, during a 2007 observation, did not detect an X-ray source at the position of the Be star, we find a variable source (XMMU 101 3549.5+661243) with an average X-ray flux of 2 x 10(exp -13)ergs/sq cm/s (0.2-12 keV, unabsorbed) at this position with XMM-Newton. The spectrum of this source is consistent with a hard power law with a photon index of r = 1.4+/-0.3 and a column density of N(sub H) = (15(+0.7/-0.5)) x 10(exp 22)/sq cm (90% confidence errors). These results, along with our optical investigation of other X-ray sources in the field, make the association with the Be star very likely, and the 2 kpc distance estimate for the Be star indicates an X-ray luminosity of 9.1 x 10(exp 31) ergs/s. This is lower than typical for a Be X-ray binary, and the upper limit on the luminosity was even lower ( < 1.4 x 10(exp 3)ergs/s assuming the same spectral model) during the Chandra observation. We discuss possible implications of the very low quiescent luminosity for the physical properties of IGR 101363+6610.

Tomsick, John A.↗

NASA NTRS2024

X-Ray Polarized View of the Accretion Geometry in the X-Ray Binary Circinus X-1

Cir X-1 is a neutron star X-ray binary characterized by strong variations influx during its eccentric∼16.6 day orbit. There are also strong variations in the spectral state, and it has historically shown both atoll and Z state properties. We observed the source with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer during two orbital segments, 6days apart, for a total of 263 ks. We find an X-ray polarization degree in these segments of 1.6%±0.3% and1.4%±0.3% at polarization angles of 37°±5°and−12°±7°, respectively. Thus, we observed a rotation of the polarization angle by 49°±8°along the orbit. Because variations of accretion flow, and then of the hardness ratio, are expected during the orbit, we also studied the polarization binned in hardness ratio and found the polarization angle differing by 67°±11°between the lowest and highest values of the hardness ratio. We discuss possible interpretations of this result that could indicate a possible misalignment between the symmetry axes of the accretion disk and the Comptonizing region caused by the misalignment of the neutron star’s angular momentum with respect to the orbital one.

Sco-X-1↗