Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2006-11-10
Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc.Lett.376:L25-L28,2007
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
submitted to MNRAS Letters; 3 pages
Scientific paper
10.1111/j.1745-3933.2007.00279.x
Straight-forward models of X-ray reflection in the inner region of accretion discs predict that primary X-ray flux and the flux reflected off the surface of the disc should vary together, albeit a short light travel time delay. Most of the observations, however, show that the X-ray flux can vary while the reflected features remain constant. Here we propose a simple explanation to this. In all likelihood, the emission of a moderately optically thick magnetic flare atop an accretion disc is anisotropic. A constant energy release rate in a flare will appear to produce a variable X-ray flux as the flare rotates with the accretion disc anchoring the magnetic tube. The reflector, on the other hand, receives a constant X-ray flux from the flare. Since the reflected emission is azimuthally symmetric, the observer will see a roughly constant reflected flux (neglecting relativistic effects). The model does not produce quasi-periodic oscillations (QPO) if magnetic flux tubes are sheared out faster than they complete one orbit.
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