Evolution of hard X-ray photon index in black-hole X-ray binaries: hints for accretion physics

TL;DR

This study analyzes the evolution of X-ray spectral indices in black-hole X-ray binaries during outbursts, revealing distinct correlation patterns with flux that inform accretion physics.

Contribution

It provides a systematic investigation of spectral index evolution across multiple outbursts, highlighting transition behaviors and differences in critical Eddington ratios.

Findings

Spectral index is anti-correlated with flux during rise.

Positive correlation between index and flux during decay.

GRO J1655-40 shows a lower critical Eddington ratio.

Abstract

The anti- and positive correlations between X-ray photon index and Eddington-scaled X-ray luminosity were found in decay phase of X-ray binary outbursts and a sample of active galactic nuclei in former works. We further systematically investigate the evolution of X-ray spectral index, along the X-ray flux and Eddington ratio in eight outbursts of four black-hole X-ray binaries, where all selected outbursts have observational data from Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer in both rise and decay phases. In the initial rise phase, the X-ray spectral index is anti-correlated with the flux, and the X-ray spectrum quickly softens when the X-ray flux is approaching the peak value. In the decay phase, the X-ray photon index and the flux follow two different positive correlations, and they become anti-correlated again when the X-ray flux is below a critical value, where the anti-correlation part follow the same trend as that found in the initial rise phase. Compared with other X-ray binaries, GRO J1655-40 has an evident lower critical Eddington ratio for the anti- and positive transition, which suggests that its black-hole mass and distance are not well constrained or its intrinsic physic is different.