Measuring Black Hole Spin via the X-ray Continuum Fitting Method: Beyond the Thermal Dominant State

Details Measuring Black Hole Spin via the X-ray Continuum Fitting Method: Beyond the Thermal Dominant State Measuring Black Hole Spin via the X-ray Continuum Fitting Method: Beyond the Thermal Dominant State

2009-07-16

arxiv.org/abs/0907.2920v2

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena

5 pages, 3 figs, 1 table. Accepted for publication in ApJL; abstract fixed

Scientific paper

All prior work on measuring the spins of stellar-mass black holes via the X-ray continuum-fitting method has relied on the use of weakly-Comptonized spectra obtained in the thermal dominant state. Using a self-consistent Comptonization model, we show that one can analyze spectra that exhibit strong power-law components and obtain values of the inner disk radius, and hence spin, that are consistent with those obtained in the thermal dominant state. Specifically, we analyze many RXTE spectra of two black hole transients, H1743-322 and XTE J1550-564, and we demonstrate that the radius of the inner edge of the accretion disk remains constant to within a few percent as the strength of the Comptonized component increases by an order of magnitude, i.e., as the fraction of the thermal seed photons that are scattered approaches 25%. We conclude that the continuum-fitting method can be applied to a much wider body of data than previously thought possible, and to sources that have never been observed to enter the thermal dominant state (e.g., Cyg X-1).

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Measuring Black Hole Spin via the X-ray Continuum Fitting Method: Beyond the Thermal Dominant State 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 Measuring Black Hole Spin via the X-ray Continuum Fitting Method: Beyond the Thermal Dominant State, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Measuring Black Hole Spin via the X-ray Continuum Fitting Method: Beyond the Thermal Dominant State will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-109675