observational overview of state transitions in x-ray binaries
observational overview of state transitions in x-ray binaries
observational overview of state transitions in x-ray binaries
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
STEEP POWER-LAW STATE<br />
radio ejections<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ally there’s the steep power-law <strong>state</strong>. In light curve this <strong>state</strong> is characterized by very<br />
strong flar<strong>in</strong>g on a time scale <strong>of</strong> days. This <strong>state</strong> is only observed at the very highest<br />
lum<strong>in</strong>osities. The spectrum <strong>of</strong> this <strong>state</strong> is dom<strong>in</strong>ated by a steep power -law component on<br />
top <strong>of</strong> a very hot accretion disk component. Aga<strong>in</strong>, the non-thermal component is poorly<br />
understood, but is is probably the results <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>verse Compton scatter<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
We see many different types <strong>of</strong> power spectra and they seem to comb<strong>in</strong>e elements <strong>of</strong> power<br />
spectra seen <strong>in</strong> the other <strong>state</strong>s, with different types <strong>of</strong> noise and QPOs. In the radio with<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten see optically th<strong>in</strong> ejection events.<br />
In a way it is quite similar to the <strong>in</strong>termediate <strong>state</strong>, with a hotter disk and the power-law<br />
chang<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> normalization rather than <strong>in</strong>dex. It has been suggested that this <strong>state</strong><br />
corresponds to the presence <strong>of</strong> a thickened or slim disk.
Change language