Inner accretion disk disappearance during a radio flare in GRS 1915+105

TL;DR

This study presents simultaneous X-ray and radio observations of GRS 1915+105, revealing a temporary disappearance of the inner accretion disk during a flare, with correlated spectral and timing changes supporting a disk-instability model.

Contribution

First simultaneous multi-wavelength analysis showing inner disk disappearance during a flare in GRS 1915+105 with detailed spectral and timing correlations.

Findings

Inner accretion disk temporarily disappears during the flare.

Spectral analysis shows a variable power law photon index.

QPO frequency correlates with spectral and flux variations.

Abstract

Simultaneous X-ray (BeppoSAX, 0.1-300 keV) and radio (Ryle Telescope, 15 GHz) observations of the superluminal galactic source GRS 1915+105 in high flux state were carried out starting October 1996. Here we present the simultaneous radio/X-ray light curves of the flare event and the spectral and timing analysis of the relevant BeppoSAX data. We obtain evidence for a temporary disappearance and subsequent restoring of the inner portion of the accretion disk during the flare from the spectral analysis of the X-ray data. We find a variable power law photon index positively correlated to the variability of the exponential cut-off energy. In addition, frequency and intensity variations of a $\sim$4-5~Hz quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) are detected during the same time interval. The centroid frequency of the QPO is found to be correlated to the spectral power law photon index, and to the X-ray flux from the disk and the high energy flux from the power law. These observational results are discussed in the framework of the disk-instability model proposed for this source.