2013ApJ...778..165V -
Astrophys. J., 778, 165 (2013/December-1)
A unified lense-thirring precession model for optical and X-ray quasi-periodic oscillations in black hole binaries.
VELEDINA A., POUTANEN J. and INGRAM A.
Abstract (from CDS):
Recent observations of accreting black holes reveal the presence of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPO) in the optical power density spectra. The corresponding oscillation periods match those found in X-rays, implying a common origin. Among the numerous suggested X-ray QPO mechanisms, some may also work in the optical. However, their relevance to the broadband–optical through X-ray–spectral properties have not been investigated. For the first time, we discuss the QPO mechanism in the context of the self-consistent spectral model. We propose that the QPOs are produced by Lense-Thirring precession of the hot accretion flow, whose outer parts radiate in optical wavelengths. At the same time, its innermost parts are emitting X-rays, which explains the observed connection of QPO periods. We predict that the X-ray and optical QPOs should be either in phase or shifted by half a period, depending on the observer position. We investigate the QPO harmonic content and find that the variability amplitudes at the fundamental frequency are larger in the optical, while the X-rays are expected to have strong harmonics. We then discuss the QPO spectral dependence and compare the expectations to the existing data.
Abstract Copyright:
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Journal keyword(s):
accretion, accretion disks - black hole physics - radiation mechanisms: non-thermal - X-rays: binaries
Simbad objects:
3
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