Lag of Low-Energy Photons in an X-ray Burst Oscillation: Doppler Delays
نویسنده
چکیده
Numerous X-ray bursts show strong oscillations in their flux at several hundred Hz as revealed by RXTE. Analyzing one such oscillation from the X-ray binary Aql X-1, I find that low energy photons (3.5–5.7 keV) lag high energy photons (> 5.7 keV) by approximately 1 radian. The oscillations are thought to be produced by hot spots on the spinning neutron star. The lags can then be explained by a Doppler shifting of emission from the hot spots; higher energy photons being emitted earlier in the spin phase as the spot approaches the observer. A quantitative test of this simple model shows a remarkable agreement with the data. Similar low energy lags have been measured in kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations and in the accreting millisecond pulsar SAX J1808.4-3658. A Doppler delay mechanism may be at work there as well. Subject headings: accretion, accretion disks — black holes – stars: neutron — X–rays: stars
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