Semi-Analytical Model for Wind-Fed Black Hole High-Mass X-ray Binaries -- State Transition Triggered by Magnetic Fields from the Companion Star --

TL;DR

This paper presents a semi-analytical model explaining state transitions in wind-fed black hole high-mass X-ray binaries, emphasizing the role of magnetic fields and ionization fronts in triggering these transitions.

Contribution

It introduces a novel model linking magnetic field fluctuations and ionization front dynamics to state transitions, explaining differences between Cyg X-1 and LMC X-1.

Findings

The model accounts for why Cyg X-1 transitions states while LMC X-1 does not.

State durations are predicted to be long due to weak luminosity dependence on wind velocity.

Magnetic field fluctuations can trigger state transitions through their effect on the outer accretion flow.

Abstract

We propose a mechanism of state transition in wind-fed black hole binaries (high-mass X-ray binaries) such as Cyg X-1 and LMC X-1. Modeling a line-driven stellar wind from the companion by two-dimensional hydrodynamical calculations, we investigate the processes of wind capture by and accretion onto the black hole. We assume that the wind acceleration is terminated at the He II ionization front because ions responsible for line-driven acceleration are ionized within the front, i.e. He III region. It is found that the mass accretion rate inferred from the luminosity is remarkably smaller than the capture rate. Considering the difference, we construct a model for the state transition based on the accretion flow being controlled by magneto-rotational instability. The outer flow is torus like, and plays an important role to trigger the transition. The model can explain why state transition does occur in Cyg X-1, while not in LMC X-1. Cyg X-1 exhibits a relatively low luminosity, and then the He II ionization front is located and can move between the companion and black hole, depending on its ionizing photon flux. On the other hand, LMC X-1 exhibits too high luminosity for the front to move considerably; the front is too close to the companion atmosphere. The model also predicts that each state of high-soft or low-hard would last fairly long because the luminosity depends weakly on the wind velocity. In the context of the model, the state transition is triggered by a fluctuation of the magnetic field when its amplitude becomes comparable to the field strength in the torus-like outer flow.