Canonical Timing and Spectral Behavior of LMC X-3 in the Low/Hard State
نویسندگان
چکیده
We present results from three observations with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) of LMC X-3, obtained while the source was in an extended ’low/hard’ state. The data reveal a hard X-ray spectrum which is well fit by a pure power law with photon index Γ=1.69±0.02, with a source luminosity at 50 kpc of 5–16×1036 erg s−1 (2–10 keV). Strong broad-band (0.01-100 Hz) time variability is also observed, with fractional rms amplitude 40±4%, plus a quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) peak at 0.46±0.02 Hz with rms amplitude ∼14%. This is the first reported observation in which the full canonical low/hard state behavior (pure hard power law spectrum combined with strong broad-band noise and QPO) for LMC X–3 is seen. We reanalyze several archival RXTE observations of LMC X-3 and derive consistent spectral and timing parameters, and determine the overall luminosity variation between high/soft and low/hard states. The timing and spectral properties of LMC X-3 during the recurrent low/hard states are quantitatively similar to that typically seen in the Galactic black hole candidates. Subject headings: accretion, accretion disks — stars: individual (LMC X–3) — stars: black holes — stars: binaries: close — X-rays:
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