A possible origin of the overlapping light curve of eRO-QPE1

TL;DR

This paper suggests that the complex overlapping light curve features of eRO-QPE1 could be explained by gravitational lensing, providing a new perspective on the origin of Quasi-Periodic Eruptions in galaxy nuclei.

Contribution

It proposes a novel explanation for the overlapping eruptions in eRO-QPE1 as gravitational lensing effects, challenging existing models of QPEs.

Findings

Overlapping eruptions in eRO-QPE1 can be reproduced by gravitational lensing.

The lensing hypothesis explains complex light curve features without new physical mechanisms.

Implications for the trigger mechanism of QPEs in galaxy nuclei.

Abstract

Quasi-Periodic Eruptions (QPEs) are recurrent X-ray eruptions discovered so far in the nuclei of low-mass galaxies. However, despite considerable observational progress, the origin of QPEs remains unclear. A variety of models have been proposed to explain their nature, but a definitive understanding has yet to be reached. Recently, chaotic mixtures of multiple overlapping eruptions with varying amplitudes have been observed in eRO-QPE1 obs1-features not reported in any other known QPE sources. This complex behavior presents a challenge to the existing QPE models. In this paper, we propose that the overlapping features may be the result of gravitational lensing. We analyze the light curve of eRO-QPE1 and compare its features to predictions from gravitational lensing scenarios. We discuss the implications for the trigger mechanism of QPEs in general. We show that the unique overlapping features observed in eRO-QPE1 may be naturally reproduced by gravitational lensing effects, without invoking a different physical origin from other known QPE sources.