1 research outputs found
BeppoSAX observations of soft X-ray Intermediate Polars
We present broad-band (0.1--90keV) spectral and temporal properties of the
three Intermediate Polars, RE0751+144 (PQ Gem), RXJ0558.0+5353 (V405Aur) and
RXJ1712.6-2414 (V2400 Oph) based on simultaneous soft and hard X-ray
observations with the BeppoSAX satellite. The analysis of their spectra over
the wide energy range of BeppoSAX instruments allows us to identify the soft
and hard X-ray components and to determine simultaneously their temperatures.
The black--body temperatures of the irradiated poles of the white dwarf
atmosphere are found to be 60--100eV, much higher than those found in their
synchronous analogues, the Polars. The temperature of the optically thin
post--shock plasma is well constrained in RXJ1712.6-2414 and in RE0751+144 (13
and 17keV) and less precisely determined in RXJ0558.0+5353. In the first two
systems evidence of subsolar abundances is found, similarly to what estimated
in other magnetic Cataclysmic Variables. A Compton reflection component is
present in RXJ0558.0+5353 and in RE0751+144 and it is favoured in
RXJ1712.6-2414. Its origin is likely at the irradiated white dwarf surface.
Although these systems share common properties (soft X-ray component and
optical polarized radiation), their X-ray power spectra and light curves at
different energies suggest accretion geometries which cannot be reconciled with
a single and simple configuration.Comment: 12 pages, 15 postscript figures, LateX, uses aa.cls. Accepted for
publications in Astronomy and Astrophysics Main Journa