Constraining the Jet Energetics of the Transient X-ray Binaries MAXI J1348-630 and MAXI J1820+070 through Calorimetry

TL;DR

This study uses ALMA observations to analyze jet-ISM interactions in two transient black hole X-ray binaries, constraining jet power and formation timescales through molecular emission analysis.

Contribution

It provides the first assessment of jet-ISM interaction formation timescales and demonstrates astrochemistry's utility in constraining jet energetics.

Findings

Detection of jet-driven cavity around MAXI J1348-630

No significant emission detected near MAXI J1820+070

Jet power estimates align with independent studies

Abstract

We present Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations aimed at identifying potential jet-ISM interaction sites in the vicinity of the transient black hole X-ray binaries MAXI J1348-630 and MAXI J1820+070, both of which have recently undergone an outburst, and displayed powerful large scale jets. Using this dataset, we construct molecular line emission maps. By analyzing the morphological, spectral, and kinematic properties of the detected emission, we identify a molecular structure that provides compelling evidence for a jet-driven cavity in the local environment of MAXI J1348-630 but find no significant emission in the local environment of MAXI J1820+070. We use the properties of the detected molecular emission surrounding MAXI J1348-630 to constrain the jet power, finding our results to be consistent with other independent studies of this source, and further validating the utility of astrochemistry for constraining jet energetics. Additionally, our findings provide the first assessment on the formation timescales for jet-ISM interaction regions in the transient black hole X-ray binary population.