The Physics of Disk Winds, Jets,and X-ray Variability in GRS 1915+105

TL;DR

This study uses joint RXTE and Chandra observations to link rapid X-ray spectral changes in GRS 1915+105 with accretion disk wind dynamics and material evaporation, revealing a complex, cyclical ejection process.

Contribution

First phase-resolved spectroscopy of the rho state shows direct connection between X-ray spectral variability and accretion disk wind changes in GRS 1915+105.

Findings

Detection of absorption line variability linked to spectral changes

Observation of material evaporating from the inner accretion disk

Evidence that the disk wind influences jet activity and state transitions

Abstract

We present new insights about accretion and ejection physics based on joint RXTE/Chandra HETGS studies of rapid X-ray variability in GRS 1915+105. For the first time, with fast phase-resolved spectroscopy of the rho state, we are able to show that changes in the broadband X-ray spectrum (RXTE) on timescales of seconds are associated with measurable changes in absorption lines (Chandra HETGS) from the accretion disk wind. Additionally, we make a direct detection of material evaporating from the radiation-pressure-dominated inner disk. Our X-ray data thus reveal the black hole as it ejects a portion of the inner accretion flow and then drives a wind from the outer disk, all in a bizarre cycle that lasts fewer than 60 seconds but can repeat for weeks. We find that the accretion disk wind may be sufficiently massive to play an active role in GRS 1915+105, not only in quenching the jet on long timescales, but also in possibly producing or facilitating transitions between classes of X-ray variability.