A Multi-wavelength Characterization of the 2023 Outburst of MAXI J1807+132: Manifestations of Disk Instability and Jet Emission

TL;DR

This study provides a comprehensive multi-wavelength analysis of the 2023 outburst of MAXI J1807+132, revealing disk instability, jet emission, and unique polarization behavior in a neutron star transient.

Contribution

It presents the first detailed multi-wavelength observational campaign of this source's outburst, highlighting jet activity and polarization phenomena not previously observed in similar systems.

Findings

Delay between X-ray and optical rise supports disk instability model.

Detection of jet synchrotron emission during decay phase.

First observation of near-orthogonal optical polarization rotation in an X-ray binary.

Abstract

Several phenomenological aspects of low-luminosity neutron star transients, such as atolls, remain poorly understood. One such source, MAXI J1807+132, entered its latest outburst in July 2023. To thoroughly characterize this outburst, we conducted an extensive observational campaign spanning radio to X-ray wavelengths. Here, we present the results of this campaign, which covered the period from before the outburst to the return to quiescence. We detected a delay between the X-ray and optical rise times, which is consistent with the predictions of the disk instability model with a truncated disk. The color evolution and optical/X-ray correlations, along with infrared and radio detections, support the presence of jet synchrotron emission during the gradual decay phase following the peak. We also report for the first time in an X-ray binary a near-orthogonal rotation of the optical polarization just before a small flare, after which the jet is thought to be quenched. The main outburst is followed by several high-amplitude, rapid reflares in the optical, ultraviolet, and X-ray bands, the origin of which remains difficult to constrain.