Supergiant, fast, but not so transient 4U 1907+09

We have investigated the dipping activity observed in the high-mass X-ray binary 4U 1907+09 and shown that the source continues to pulsate in the "off" state, noting that the transition between the "on" and "off" states may be either dip-like or flare-like. This behavior may be explained in the framework of the "gated accretion" scenario proposed to explain the flares in supergiant fast X-ray transients (SFXTs). We conclude that 4U 1907+09 might prove to be a missing link between the SFXTs and ordinary accreting pulsars.Comment: 4 pages 5 figures, accepted in A&

Glancing through the accretion column of EXO 2030+375

We took advantage of the large collecting area and good timing capabilities of the EPIC cameras on-board XMM-Newton to investigate the accretion geometry onto the magnetized neutron star hosted in the high mass X-ray binary EXO 2030+375 during the rise of a source Type-I outburst in 2014. We carried out a timing and spectral analysis of the XMM-Newton observation as function of the neutron star spin phase. We used a phenomenological spectral continuum model comprising the required fluorescence emission lines. Two neutral absorption components are present: one covering fully the source and one only partially. The same analysis was also carried out on two Suzaku observations of the source performed during outbursts in 2007 and 2012, to search for possible spectral variations at different luminosities. The XMM-Newton data caught the source at an X-ray luminosity of $2\times10^{36}$ erg s$^{-1}$ and revealed the presence of a narrow dip-like feature in its pulse profile that was never reported before. The width of this feature corresponds to about one hundredth of the neutron star spin period. From the results of the phase-resolved spectral analysis we suggest that this feature can be ascribed to the self-obscuration of the accretion stream passing in front of the observer line of sight. We inferred from the Suzaku observation carried out in 2007 that the self-obscuration of the accretion stream might produce a significantly wider feature in the neutron star pulsed profile at higher luminosities ($\gtrsim$$2\times10^{37}$ erg s$^{-1}$).Comment: Accepted for publication on A&

Pulse phase and precession phase resolved spectroscopy of Her X-1: studying a representative Main-On with RXTE

We performed a detailed pulse phase resolved spectroscopy of the accreting binary X-ray pulsar Her X-1 in the energy range 3.5-75 keV and have established pulse phase profiles for all spectral parameters. For the centroid of the cyclotron line, the photon index and the flux of the 6.4 keV iron line, we have studied the variation as a function of 35 d phase. We analyzed RXTE observations of the Main-On of November 2002. Four different time intervals of about 1 d duration were selected to provide a good coverage of a complete Main-On. The intervals are centered at 35 d phase 0.03, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20, respectively. All spectral parameters show a strong modulation with pulse phase. While the centroid energy of the cyclotron line follows roughly the shape of the pulse profile, both the photon index and the iron line intensity exhibit distinct minima around the peak of the X-ray pulse. With respect to variations of the observed profiles with 35 d phase, we find that there is a clear evolution of the shape of the pulse profiles (flux versus pulse phase), a moderate increase of the maximum cyclotron line energy (found around pulse phase 0.7), but no significant evolution of the shape of the pulse phase profiles of the cyclotron line energy, the spectral power law index or the iron line intensity. The variation of spectral parameters as a function of the pulse phase provides important information about the system: 1. the disappearance of the Fe line flux near the highest continuum flux may be an indication of a hollow cone geometry of the accretion structure; ii. the apparent non-dependence of the cyclotron line energy profiles on 35 d phase provides a new possibility to test the model of free precession of the neutron star, proposed to be responsible for the systematic variations in the pulse profiles.Comment: 10 pages, 11 figures, Accepted by A&A on the 22/12/201

A non-pulsating neutron star in the supernova remnant HESS J1731-347 / G353.6-0.7 with a carbon atmosphere

Context: The CCO candidate in the center of the supernova remnant shell HESS J1731-347 / G353.6-0.7 shows no pulsations and exhibits a blackbody-like X-ray spectrum. If the absence of pulsations is interpreted as evidence for the emitting surface area being the entire neutron star surface, the assumption of the measured flux being due to a blackbody emission translates into a source distance that is inconsistent with current estimates of the remnant's distance. Aims: With the best available observational data, we extended the pulse period search down to a sub-millisecond time scale and used a carbon atmosphere model to describe the X-ray spectrum of the CCO and to estimate geometrical parameters of the neutron star. Methods: To search for pulsations we used data of an observation of the source with XMM-Newton performed in timing mode. For the spectral analysis, we used earlier XMM-Newton observations performed in imaging mode, which permits a more accurate treatment of the background. The carbon atmosphere models used to fit the CCO spectrum are computed assuming hydrostatic and radiative equilibria and take into account pressure ionization and the presence of spectral lines. Results: Our timing analysis did not reveal any pulsations with a pulsed fraction above ~8% down to 0.2 ms. This finding further supports the hypothesis that the emitting surface area is the entire neutron star surface. The carbon atmosphere model provides a good fit to the CCO spectrum and leads to a normalization consistent with the available distance estimates of the remnant. The derived constraints on the mass and radius of the source are consistent with reasonable values of the neutron star mass and radius. After the CCO in Cas A, the CCO in HESS J1731-347 / G353.6-0.7 is the second object of this class for which a carbon atmosphere model provides a consistent description of X-ray emission.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy&Astrophysic

Giant outburst of EXO 2030+375: pulse-phase resolved analysis of INTEGRAL data

In June-September 2006 the Be/X-ray binary EXO 2030+375 experienced the second giant outburst since its discovery. The source was shown to have a complicated pulse-averaged X-ray spectral continuum with possible evidence of cyclotron absorption features. In this paper we present the first pulse-phase resolved analysis of the broad band X-ray spectra of EXO 2030+375 obtained with the INTEGRAL observatory close to the maximum and during the decay phase of the giant outburst. We report a strong variability of the spectrum with pulse phase. Alternative spectral continuum models are discussed. The dependence of the spectral parameters on pulse phase during the maximum of the outburst and the evolution of the pulse profiles with time are qualitatively consistent with the pulsar's emission diagram changing from the fan-beam geometry close to the maximum of the outburst to a combination of pencil and fan beams (of comparable intesities) at the end of the decay phase. Evidence of a cyclotron absorption line around 63 keV at the pulse phase interval preceeding the main peak of the pulse profile is present in the spectrum obtained close to the maximum of the outburst.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Swift/BAT measurements of the cyclotron line energy decay in the accreting neutron star Her X-1: indication of an evolution of the magnetic field?

Context: The magnetic field is a crucial ingredient of neutron stars. It governs the physics of accretion and of the resulting high-energy emission in accreting pulsars. Studies of the cyclotron resonant scattering features (CRSFs) seen as absorption lines in the X-ray spectra of the pulsars permit direct measuremets of the field strength. Aims: From an analysis of a number of pointed observations with different instruments, the energy of CRSF, Ecyc, has recently been found to decay in Her X-1, which is one of the best-studied accreting pulsars. We present our analysis of a homogeneous and almost uninterrupted monitoring of the line energy with Swift/BAT. Methods: We analyzed the archival Swift/BAT observations of Her X-1 from 2005 to 2014. The data were used to measure the CRSF energy averaged over several months. Results: The analysis confirms the long-term decay of the line energy. The downward trend is highly significant and consistent with the trend measured with the pointed observations: dEcyc/dt ~-0.3 keV per year. Conclusions: The decay of Ecyc either indicates a local evolution of the magnetic field structure in the polar regions of the neutron star or a geometrical displacement of the line-forming region due to long-term changes in the structure of the X-ray emitting region. The shortness of the observed timescale of the decay, -Ecyc/(dEcyc/dt) ~ 100 yr, suggests that trend reversals and/or jumps of the line energy might be observed in the future.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy&Astrophysic