Spectral components in black hole X-ray binaries

TL;DR

This paper reviews the spectral continuum components in black hole X-ray binaries, discussing observational constraints on the X-ray corona across different spectral states and their implications for theoretical models.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive summary of current observational insights into spectral components and their impact on understanding the X-ray corona in black hole binaries.

Findings

Spectral components vary across different states.

Observations constrain corona properties.

Implications for theoretical models.

Abstract

This paper summarises our current understanding of the spectral continuum components observed in black hole X-ray binaries. The consequences for theoretical models are discussed with an emphasis on the constraints set by observations on the nature of the X-ray corona in different spectral states.