THE Be/X-RAY BINARY SWIFT J1626.6-5156 AS A VARIABLE CYCLOTRON LINE SOURCE

Decesar ME, Boyd PT, Pottschmidt K, Wilms J, Suchy S, Miller MC (2013)

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2013

Journal

Astrophysical Journal American Astronomical Society

Publisher: IOP PUBLISHING LTD

Book Volume: 762

Article Number: ARTN 61

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1088/0004-637X/762/1/61

Abstract

Swift J1626.6-5156 is a Be/X-ray binary that was in outburst from 2005 December until 2008 November. We have examined Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer/Proportional Counter Array (PCA) and High Energy X-ray Timing Explorer spectra of three long observations of this source taken early in its outburst, when the PCA 2-20 keV count rate was > 70 counts s(-1) PCU-1, as well as several combined observations from different stages of the outburst. The spectra are best fit with an absorbed cutoff power law with a similar to 6.4 keV iron emission line and a Gaussian optical depth absorption line at similar to 10 keV. We present strong evidence that this absorption-like feature is a cyclotron resonance scattering feature, making Swift J1626.6-5156 a new candidate cyclotron line source. The redshifted energy of similar to 10 keV implies a magnetic field strength of similar to 8.6(1 + z) x 10(11) G in the region of the accretion column close to the magnetic poles where the cyclotron line is produced. Analysis of phase-averaged spectra spanning the duration of the outburst suggests a possible positive correlation between the fundamental cyclotron energy and source luminosity. Phase-resolved spectroscopy from a long observation reveals a variable cyclotron line energy, with phase dependence similar to a variety of other pulsars, as well as the first harmonic of the fundamental cyclotron line.

Authors with CRIS profile

Jörn Wilms Professur für Astronomie und Astrophysik

Involved external institutions

University of Maryland US United States (USA) (US) University of California, San Diego US United States (USA) (US) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Decesar, M.E., Boyd, P.T., Pottschmidt, K., Wilms, J., Suchy, S., & Miller, M.C. (2013). THE Be/X-RAY BINARY SWIFT J1626.6-5156 AS A VARIABLE CYCLOTRON LINE SOURCE. Astrophysical Journal, 762(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/762/1/61

MLA:

Decesar, Megan E., et al. "THE Be/X-RAY BINARY SWIFT J1626.6-5156 AS A VARIABLE CYCLOTRON LINE SOURCE." Astrophysical Journal 762.1 (2013).

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