Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Scientific paper
2010-11-30
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Accepted in A&A, 4 pages
Scientific paper
Context {Earlier cross-correlation studies for AM Her were performed in various energy range from optical to X-ray and suggested that it mostly shows a high level of correlation but on occasion it shows a low level of correlation or uncorrelation.} Aims {To investigate the degree of correlation between soft (2-4 keV) and hard (9-20 keV) X-rays, we perform the cross-correlation study of the X-ray data sets of AM Her obtained with {\it RXTE}.} Methods {We cross-correlate the background-subtracted soft and hard X-ray light curves using the XRONOS program crosscor and fit a model to the obtained cross-correlation functions.} Results {We detect a hard X-ray lag of $192\pm33$ s in a specific section of energy-dependent light curve, where the soft X-ray (2-4 keV) intensity decreases but the hard X-ray (9-20 keV) intensity increases. From a spectral analysis, we find that the X-ray emission temperature increases during the anti-correlated intensity variation. In two other observations, the cross-correlation functions show a low level of correlation, which is consistent with the earlier results performed in a different energy range.} Conclusions {We report a detection of an anti-correlated hard X-ray lag of $\sim$190 s from the proto-type polar AM Her. The hard X-ray lag is detected for the first time in the given energy range, and it is the longest lag among those reported in magnetic cataclysmic variables. We discuss the implications of our findings regarding the origin of the hard X-ray lag and the anti-correlated intensity variation.}
Choi Chul-Sung
Rao Ravi A.
Sriram Kandulapati
No associations
LandOfFree
A Detection of an Anti-correlated Hard X-ray Lag in AM Herculis does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with A Detection of an Anti-correlated Hard X-ray Lag in AM Herculis, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A Detection of an Anti-correlated Hard X-ray Lag in AM Herculis will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-444613