Black hole mass determination in the X-ray binary 4U 1630--47: Scaling of spectral and variability characteristics

We present the results of a comprehensive investigation on the evolution of spectral and timing properties of the Galactic black hole candidate 4U 1630--47 during its spectral transitions. In particular, we show how a scaling of the correlation of the photon index of the Comptonized spectral component Gamma with low frequency of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPO), nu_L and mass accretion rate, $\dot M$ can be applied to the black hole mass and the inclination angle estimates. We analyze the transition episodes observed with the {\it Rossi} X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) and BeppoSAX satellites. We find that the broadband X-ray energy spectra of 4U~1630--47 during all spectral states can be modeled by a combination of a thermal component, a Comptonized component and a red-skewed iron line component. We also establish that Gamma monotonically increases during transition from the low-hard state to the high-soft state and then saturates for high mass accretion rates. The index saturation levels vary for different transition episodes. Correlations of Gamma versus nu_L also shows saturation at Gamma ~ 3. Gamma-Mdot and Gamma-nu_L correlations with their index saturation revealed in 4U~1630--47 are similar to those established in a number of other BHCs and can be considered as an observational evidence for the presence of a black hole in these sources. The scaling technique, which relies on XTE J1550--564, GRO 1655-40 and H 1743-322 as reference sources, allows us to evaluate a black hole mass in 4U~1630--47 yielding M_{BH}~10+/- 0.1 solar masses, and to constrain the inclination angle of i< 70 degrees.Comment: 33 pages, 13 Figures. The paper is accepted and scheduled for publication in The Astrophysical Journal, July 1, 2014, v 789, 1 issu

On the Nature of the Compact Object in SS~433. Observational Evidence of X-ray Photon Index Saturation

We present an analysis of the X-ray spectral properties observed from black hole candidate (BHC) binary SS~433. We have analyzed RXTE data from this source, coordinated with Green Bank Interferometer/RATAN-600. We show that SS~433 undergoes a X-ray spectral transition from the low hard state (LHS) to the intermediate state (IS). We show that the X-ray broad-band energy spectra during all spectral states are well fit by a sum of so called ``Bulk Motion Comptonization (BMC) component'' and by two (broad and narrow) Gaussians for the continuum and line emissions respectively. In addition to these spectral model components we also find a strong feature that we identify as a "blackbody-like (BB)" component which color temperature is in the range of 4-5 keV in 24 IS spectra during the radio outburst decay in SS~433. Our observational results on the "high temperature BB" bump leads us to suggest the presence of gravitationally redshifted annihilation line emission in this source. I\ We have also established the photon index saturation at about 2.3 in index vs mass accretion correlation. This index-mass accretion correlation allows us to evaluate the low limit of black hole (BH) mass of compact object in SS~433, M_{bh}> 2 solar masses, using the scaling method using BHC GX 339-4 as a reference source. Our estimate of the BH mass in SS 433 is consistent with recent BH mass measurement using the radial-velocity measurements of the binary system by Hillwig & Gies who find that M_{x}=(4.3+/-0.8 solar masses. This is the smallest BH mass found up to now among all BH sources. Moreover, the index saturation effect versus mass accretion rate revealed in SS~433, like in a number of other BH candidates, is the strong observational evidence for the presence of a BH in SS~433.Comment: 29 pages, 14 figures. Accepted for the ApJ, 2010, October 1, v. 721 (2

ESO 243-49 HLX-1: scaling of X-ray spectral properties and black hole mass determination

We report the results of Swift/XRT observations (2008-2015) of a hyper-luminous X-ray source, ESO 243-49 HLX-1. We found a strong observational evidence that ESO 243-49 HLX-1 underwent spectral transitions from the low/hard state to the high/soft state during these observations. The spectra of ESO 243-49 HLX-1 are well fitted by the so-{called} bulk motion Comptonization model for all spectral states. We have established the photon index Gamma saturation level, Gamma_{sat}$=3.0+/-0.1, in the correlation of Gamma versus mass accretion rate dot M. This Gamma-dot M correlation allows us to estimate the black hole (BH) mass in ESO 243-49 HLX-1 to be M_{BH}~ 7x 10^4 solar masses, assuming the distance to ESO 243-49 of 95 Mpc. For the BH mass estimate we used the scaling method, taking Galactic BHs XTE~J1550-564, H~1743-322 and 4U~1630-472, and an extragalactic BH source, M101 ULX-1 as reference sources. The Gamma-dot M correlation revealed in ESO 243-49 HLX-1 is similar to those in a number of Galactic and extragalactic BHs and it clearly shows the correlation along with the strong Gamma saturation at ~ 3. This is a reliable observational evidence of a BH in ESO 243-49 HLX-1. We also found that the seed (disk) photon temperatures are quite low, of order of 50-140 eV which are consistent with a high BH mass in ESO 243-49 HLX-1.Comment: 21 pages, 8 figures, accepted by Astronomy and Astrophysics on August 29, 201

Scaling of the photon index vs mass accretion rate correlation and estimate of black hole mass in M101 ULX-1

We report the results of Swift and Chandra observations of an ultra-luminous X-ray source, ULX-1 in M101. We show strong observational evidence that M101 ULX-1 undergoes spectral transitions from the low/hard state to the high/soft state during these observations. The spectra of M101 ULX-1 are well fitted by the so-called bulk motion Comptonization (BMC) model for all spectral states. We have established the photon index (\Gamma) saturation level, \Gamma_{sat}=2.8 +/- 0.1, in the \Gamma vs. mass accretion rate (\dot M) correlation. This \Gamma-\dot M correlation allows us to evaluate black hole (BH) mass in M101 ULX-1 to be M_{BH}~(3.2 - 4.3)x10^4 solar masses assuming the spread in distance to M101 (from 6.4+/- 0.5 Mpc to 7.4+/-0.6 Mpc). For this BH mass estimate we use the scaling method taking Galactic BHs XTE~J1550-564, H~1743-322 and 4U~1630-472 as reference sources. The Gamma vs. \dot M correlation revealed in M101~ULX-1 is similar to that in a number of Galactic BHs and exhibits clearly the correlation along with the strong \Gamma saturation at ~2.8. This is robust observational evidence for the presence of a BH in M101 ULX-1. We also find that the seed (disk) photon temperatures are quite low, of order of 40-100 eV which is consistent with high BH mass in M101~ULX-1. Thus, we suggest that the central object in M101 ULX-1 has intermediate BH mass of order 10^{4} solar massesComment: 12 pages, 9 figures, accepted by Astronomy & Astrophysic

Active galaxy nuclei: current state of the problem

This review presents the main points of current advances in the field of active galactic nuclei (AGN). A brief historical excursion about the search for the nature of AGN is given. The problem of close binary systems consisting of supermassive black holes located in the centers of galaxies is discussed in details. The main characteristics, as well as new methods for studying and ``weighing'' these new objects, are described. This paper is based on a presentation made in the astrophysical seminar, which dedicated to the memory of the outstanding astrophysicist N.G. Bochkarev (took place on May 19, 2023 at the Sternberg Astronomical Institute of Moscow State University).Comment: 20 pages, 10 figure

How to distinguish white dwarf and neutron star X-ray binaries during their X-ray outbursts?

Neutron stars (NSs) and white dwarfs (WDs) are characterized by different geometric and physical properties, but their observed properties are often similar, making them difficult to distinguish. Therefore, it is desirable to search for their spectral features that could be easily identified from observations. We present spectral and timing signatures of NSs and WDs hosted in accreting X-ray binaries that can be easily identified from X-ray observations. We perform spectral and timing analysis of 4U~1636--53 and SS~Cygni, as typical representatives of such NS and WD binaries, based on their X-ray observations by RXTE, ASCA, Suzaku and BeppoSAX uising {\it Comptonization} spectral model. As a result, we formulate a criterion that makes it easy to distinguish NS from WD in such binaries: NS X-rays exhibits clear quasi-stable behavior with the index $\Gamma\to2$ and is characterized by quasi periodic oscillations (QPOs) at $\nu_{QPO} >0.5$~Hz, although WD X-rays is stable with $\Gamma \to1.85$ and is accompanied by QPOs at $\nu_{QPO}<0.05$~Hz during source outbursts. In addition, we revealed that in 4U~1636--53 the mHz QPOs anti-correlate with the plasma temperature, $T_e$ of Compton cloud (or the corona around a NS. This allowed us to associate mHz-QPOs with the corona dynamics during outburst cycle. The above index effect, now well established for 4U~1636--53 and SS~Cygni using extensive observations, has previously been found in other low-mass X-ray NS and WD binaries and agrees well with the criterion for distinguishing NSs and WDs presented here.Comment: 14 figures, 9 table