XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL study of the SFXT IGR J18483-0311 in quiescence: hint of a cyclotron emission feature?

We report the results from archival XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL observations of the Supergiant Fast X-ray Transient (SFXT) IGR J18483-0311 in quiescence. The 18-60 keV hard X-ray behaviour of the source is presented here for the first time, it is characterized by a spectral shape ($\Gamma$ about 2.5) similar to that during outburst activity and the lowest measured luminosity level is about 10^34 erg s^-1. The 0.5-10 keV luminosity state, measured by XMM-Newton during the apastron passage, is about one order of magnitude lower and it is reasonably fitted by an absorbed black body model yielding parameters consistent with previous measurements. In addition, we find evidence (about 3.5 sigma significance) of an emission-like feature at about 3.3 keV in the quiescent 0.5-10 keV source spectrum. The absence of any known or found systematic effects, which could artificially introduce the observed feature, give us confidence about its non-instrumental nature. We show that its physical explanation in terms of atomic emission line appears unlikely and conversely we attempt to ascribe it to an electron cyclotron emission line which would imply a neutron star magnetic field of the order of about 3x10^11 G. Importantly, such direct estimation is in very good agreement with that independently inferred by us in the framework of accretion from a spherically symmetric stellar wind. If firmly confirmed by future longer X-ray observations, this would be the first detection ever of a cyclotron feature in the X-ray spectrum of a SFXT, with important implications on theoretical models.Comment: accepted for publication in MNRAS letter, 5 pages, 3 figure

INTEGRAL discovery of unusually long broad-band X-ray activity from the Supergiant Fast X-ray Transient IGR J18483-0311

We report on a broad-band X-ray study (0.5-250 keV) of the Supergiant Fast X-ray Transient IGR J18483-0311 using archival INTEGRAL data and a new targeted XMM-Newton observation. Our INTEGRAL investigation discovered for the first time an unusually long X-ray activity (3-60 keV) which continuously lasted for at least 11 days, i.e. a significant fraction (about 60%) of the entire orbital period, and spanned orbital phases corresponding to both periastron and apastron passages. This prolongated X-ray activity is at odds with the much shorter durations marking outbursts from classical SFXTs especially above 20 keV, as such it represents a departure from their nominal behavior and it adds a further extreme characteristic to the already extreme SFXT IGR J18483-0311. Our IBIS/ISGRI high energy investigation (100-250 keV) of archival outbursts activity from the source showed that the recently reported hint of a possible hard X-ray tail is not real and it is likely due to noisy background. The new XMM-Newton targeted observation did not detect any sign of strong X-ray outburst activity from the source despite being performed close to its periastron passage, on the contrary IGR J18483-0311 was caught during the common intermediate X-ray state with a low luminosity value of 3x10^33 erg s^-1 (0.5-10 keV). We discuss all the reported results in the framework of both spherically symmetric clumpy wind scenario and quasi-spherical settling accretion model.Comment: Accepted for publication on MNRAS. 10 pages, 7 figures, 1 tabl

XMM-Newton and NuSTAR simultaneous X-ray observations of IGR J11215-5952

We report the results of an XMM-Newton and NuSTAR coordinated observation of the Supergiant Fast X-ray Transient (SFXT) IGRJ11215-5952, performed on February 14, 2016, during the expected peak of its brief outburst, which repeats every about 165 days. Timing and spectral analysis were performed simultaneously in the energy band 0.4-78 keV. A spin period of 187.0 +/- 0.4 s was measured, consistent with previous observations performed in 2007. The X-ray intensity shows a large variability (more than one order of magnitude) on timescales longer than the spin period, with several luminous X-ray flares which repeat every 2-2.5 ks, some of which simultaneously observed by both satellites. The broad-band (0.4-78 keV) time-averaged spectrum was well deconvolved with a double-component model (a blackbody plus a power-law with a high energy cutoff) together with a weak iron line in emission at 6.4 keV (equivalent width, EW, of 40+/-10 eV). Alternatively, a partial covering model also resulted in an adequate description of the data. The source time-averaged X-ray luminosity was 1E36 erg/s (0.1-100 keV; assuming 7 kpc). We discuss the results of these observations in the framework of the different models proposed to explain SFXTs, supporting a quasi-spherical settling accretion regime, although alternative possibilities (e.g. centrifugal barrier) cannot be ruled out.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication on The Astrophysical Journa

XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL analysis of the Supergiant Fast X-ray Transient IGR J17354-3255

We present the results of combined INTEGRAL and XMM-Newton observations of the supergiant fast X-ray transient (SFXT) IGR J17354$-$3255. Three XMM-Newton observations of lengths 33.4 ks, 32.5 ks and 21.9 ks were undertaken, the first an initial pointing to identify the correct source in the field of view and the latter two performed around periastron. Simultaneous INTEGRAL observations across $\sim66\%$ of the orbital cycle were analysed but the source was neither detected by IBIS/ISGRI nor by JEM-X. The XMM-Newton light curves display a range of moderately bright X-ray activity but there are no particularly strong flares or outbursts in any of the three observations. We show that the spectral shape measured by XMM-Newton can be fitted by a consistent model throughout the observation, suggesting that the observed flux variations are driven by obscuration from a wind of varying density rather than changes in accretion mode. The simultaneous INTEGRAL data rule out simple extrapolation of the simple powerlaw model beyond the XMM-Newton energy range.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, This article has been accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Published by Oxford University Pres

INTEGRAL and Swift observations of the supergiant fast X-ray transient AXJ1845.0-0433=IGRJ18450-0435

Context: AXJ1845.0-0433 was discovered by ASCA in 1993 during fast outburst activity characterized by several flares on short timescales. Up to now, the source was not detected again by any X-ray mission. Its optical counterpart is suggested to be an O9.5I supergiant star, which is the only remarkable object found inside the ASCA error box. Aims: To detect and characterize new fast outbursts of AXJ1845.0-0433 and confirm its supergiant HMXB nature, using INTEGRAL and archival Swift XRT observations. Methods: We performed an analysis of INTEGRAL IBIS and JEM-X data with OSA 5.1 as well as an analysis of archive Swift XRT data. Results: We report on fast flaring activity from the source on timescales of a few tens of minutes, the first to be reported since its discovery in 1993. Two outbursts have been detected by INTEGRAL (Apr 2005 and Apr 2006) with similar peak fluxes and peak luminosities of 80 mCrab and 9.3X10^35 erg s^-1 (20--40 keV), respectively. Two other outbursts were detected by Swift XRT on Nov 2005 and Mar 2006. The refined Swift XRT position of AXJ1845.0-0433 confirms its association with the supergiant star previously proposed as optical counterpart. Conclusions: Our INTEGRAL and Swift results fully confirm the supergiant HMXB nature of AXJ1845.0-0433 which can therefore be classified as a supergiant fast X-ray transient. Moreover they provide for the first time evidence of its recurrent fast transient behaviour.Comment: 5 pages,5 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in A&