Period doubling and non-linear resonance in the black hole candidate IGR J17091-3624 ?

TL;DR

This paper explores high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations in the black hole candidate IGR J17091-3624, suggesting they result from non-linear resonance and period doubling phenomena similar to stellar pulsations, and estimates the black hole's mass.

Contribution

It proposes a novel interpretation of HFQPOs as nonlinear resonance phenomena, linking observed frequency ratios to period doubling in black hole accretion disks.

Findings

HFQPOs in IGR J17091-3624 are in a 5:2 ratio.

The frequency ratio suggests nonlinear resonance similar to stellar pulsations.

Estimated black hole mass is about 6 solar masses.

Abstract

The two high frequency quasi periodic oscillations (HFQPOs) recently reported in the black hole candidate IGR J17091-3624 by Altamirano and Belloni (2012) are in a 5:2 frequency ratio (164 Hz to 66 Hz). This ratio is strongly suggestive of period doubling and nonlinear resonance analogous to phenomena known in RV Tauri-type pulsating stars (and recently discovered also in oscillations of RR Lyrae-type and of BL Herculis-type variables). An interpretation of the frequency ratio in terms of nonlinear interactions and a comparison with the HFQPOs reported in GRS 1915+105 may imply a mass of about 6 solar masses for the black hole in IGR J17091- 3624.