| 1. |
- Feroci, M., et al.
(author)
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The large observatory for x-ray timing
- 2014
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In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. - : SPIE. - 9780819496126
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Large Observatory For x-ray Timing (LOFT) was studied within ESA M3 Cosmic Vision framework and participated in the final downselection for a launch slot in 2022-2024. Thanks to the unprecedented combination of effective area and spectral resolution of its main instrument, LOFT will study the behaviour of matter under extreme conditions, such as the strong gravitational field in the innermost regions of accretion flows close to black holes and neutron stars, and the supranuclear densities in the interior of neutron stars. The science payload is based on a Large Area Detector (LAD, 10 m2 effective area, 2-30 keV, 240 eV spectral resolution, 1° collimated field of view) and a Wide Field Monitor (WFM, 2-50 keV, 4 steradian field of view, 1 arcmin source location accuracy, 300 eV spectral resolution). The WFM is equipped with an on-board system for bright events (e.g. GRB) localization. The trigger time and position of these events are broadcast to the ground within 30 s from discovery. In this paper we present the status of the mission at the end of its Phase A study.
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| 2. |
- Bakala, P., et al.
(author)
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Power density spectra of modes of orbital motion in strongly curved space-time: obtaining the observable signal
- 2014
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In: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 439:2, s. 1933-1939
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- High-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (HF QPOs) appear in the X-ray variability of several accreting low-mass binaries. In a series of works, it was suggested that these QPOs may have connection to inhomogeneities orbiting close to an inner edge of the accretion disc. In this paper, we explore the appearance of an observable signal generated by small radiating circular hotspots moving along quasi-elliptic trajectories close to the innermost stable circular orbit in the Schwarzschild space-time. Our consideration takes into account the capabilities of observatories that have been operating in the past two decades represented by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) and the proposed future instruments represented by the Large Observatory for X-ray Timing (LOFT). For these purposes, we choose such model parameters that lead to light curves comparable to those observed in Galactic black hole sources, in particular the microquasar GRS 1915+105. We find that when a weak signal corresponding to the hotspot Keplerian frequency is around the limits of the RXTE detectability, the LOFT observations can clearly reveal its first and second harmonics. Moreover, in some specific situations the radial epicyclic frequency of the spot can be detected as well. Finally, we also compare the signal produced by the spots to the signal produced by axisymmetric epicyclic disc-oscillation modes and discuss the key differences that could be identified via the proposed future technology. We conclude that the ability to recognize the harmonic content of the signal can help to distinguish between the different proposed physical models. RAMOWICZ MA, 1991, ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS, V245, P454 RAMOWICZ MA, 1992, NATURE, V356, P41 RAMOWICZ MA, 2003, PASJ, V55, P466
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| 3. |
- Bakala, P., et al.
(author)
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Twin peak high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations as a spectral imprint of dual oscillation modes of accretion tori
- 2015
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In: Astronomy & Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 1432-0746 .- 0004-6361. ; 581
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. High-frequency (millisecond) quasi-periodic oscillations (HF QPOs) are observed in the X-ray power-density spectra of several microquasars and low-mass X-ray binaries. Two distinct QPO peaks, so-called twin peak QPOs, are often detected simultaneously exhibiting their frequency ratio close or equal to 3:2. A widely discussed class of proposed QPOs models is based on oscillations of accretion toroidal structures orbiting in the close vicinity of black holes or neutron stars. Aims. Following the analytic theory and previous studies of observable spectral signatures, we aim to model the twin peak QPOs as a spectral imprint of specific dual oscillation regime defined by a combination of the lowest radial and vertical oscillation mode of slender tori. We consider the model of an optically thick slender accretion torus with constant specific angular momentum. We examined power spectra and fluorescent K alpha iron line profiles for two different simulation setups with the mode frequency relations corresponding to the epicyclic resonance HF QPOs model and modified relativistic precession QPOs model. Methods. We used relativistic ray-tracing implemented in the parallel simulation code LSDplus. In the background of the Kerr spacetime geometry, we analyzed the influence of the distant observer inclination and the spin of the central compact object. Relativistic optical projection of the oscillating slender torus is illustrated by images in false colours related to the frequency shift. Results. We show that performed simulations yield power spectra with the pair of dominant peaks that correspond to the frequencies of radial and vertical oscillation modes and with the peak frequency ratio equal to the proper value 3: 2 on a wide range of inclinations and spin values. We also discuss exceptional cases of a very low and very high inclination, as well as unstable high spin relativistic precession-like configurations that predict a constant frequency ratio equal to 1: 2. We demonstrate a significant dependency of broadened K alpha iron line profiles on the inclination of the distant observer. Conclusions. This study presents a further step towards the proper model of oscillating accretion tori producing HF QPOs. More realistic future simulations should be based on incorporating the resonant coupling of oscillation modes, the influence of torus opacity, and the pressure effects on the mode frequencies and the torus shape.
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| 4. |
- Karas, V., et al.
(author)
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Distinguishing between spot and torus models of high-frequency quasiperiodic oscillations
- 2014
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In: Acta Polytechnica. - : Czech Technical University. - 1210-2709. ; 54:3, s. 191-196
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In the context of high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillation (HF QPOs) we further explore the appearance of an observable signal generated by hot spots moving along quasi-elliptic trajectories close to the innermost stable circular orbit in the Schwarzschild spacetime. The aim of our investigation is to reveal whether observable characteristics of the Fourier power-spectral density can help us to distinguish between the two competing models, namely, the idea of bright spots orbiting on the surface of an accretion torus versus the scenario of intrinsic oscillations of the torus itself. We take the capabilities of the present observatories (represented by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer, RXTE) into account, and we also consider the proposed future instruments (represented here by the Large Observatory for X-ray Timing, LOFT). © Czech Technical University in Prague, 2014.
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| 5. |
- Mazur, G. P., et al.
(author)
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Towards modeling quasi-periodic oscillations of microquasars with oscillating slender tori
- 2013
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In: Astronomy & Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 554
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. One of the often discussed models for high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations of X-ray binaries is the oscillating torus model, which considers oscillation modes of slender accretion tori. Aims. Here, we aim at developing this model by considering the observable signature of an optically thick slender accretion torus subject to simple periodic deformations. Methods. We compute light curves and power spectra of a slender accretion torus subject to simple periodic deformations: vertical or radial translation, rotation, expansion, and shear. Results. We show that different types of deformations lead to very different Fourier power spectra and therefore could be observationally distinguished. Conclusions. This work is a first step in a longer term study of the observable characteristics of the oscillating torus model. It gives promising perspectives on the possibility of constraining this model by studying the observed power spectra of quasi-periodic oscillations.
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| 6. |
- Vincent, F. H., et al.
(author)
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Spectral signature of oscillating slender tori surrounding Kerr black holes
- 2014
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In: Astronomy & Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 563
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. Some microquasars exhibit millisecond quasi-periodic oscillations (QPO) that are most probably related to phenomena occuring in the immediate vicinity of central black holes. Oscillations of accretion tori have been proposed to model these QPOs. Aims. Here, we aim at determining the observable spectral signature of slender accretion tori surrounding Kerr black holes. We analyse the impact of the inclination and spin parameters on the power spectra. Methods. Ray-traced power spectra of slender tori oscillation modes are computed in the Kerr metric. Results. We show that the power spectral densities of oscillating tori are very sensitive to the inclination and spin parameters. This strong dependency of the temporal spectra on inclination and spin may lead to observable constraints of these parameters. Conclusions. This work goes a step further in the analysis of the oscillating torus QPO model. It is part of a long-term study that will ultimately lead to comparison with observed data.
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| 7. |
- Török, G., et al.
(author)
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Distribution of Kilohertz QPO Frequencies and Their Ratios in the Atoll Source 4U 1636-53
- 2008
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In: Acta Astronomica. - 0001-5237. ; 58:1, s. 15-21
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A recently published study on long term evolution of the frequencies of the kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) in the atoll source 4U 1636-53 concluded that there is no preferred frequency ratio in a distribution of twin QPOs that was inferred from the distribution of a single frequency alone. However, we find that the distribution of the ratio of actually observed pairs of kHz QPO frequencies is peaked close to the 3/2 value, and possibly also close to the 5/4 ratio. To resolve the apparent contradiction between the two studies, we examine in detail the frequency distributions of the lower kHz QPO and the upper kHz QPO detected in our data set. We demonstrate that for each of the two kHz QPOs (the lower or the upper), the frequency distribution in all detections of a QPO differs from the distribution of frequency of the same QPO in the subset of observations where both the kHz QPOs are detected. We conclude that detections of individual QPOs alone should not be used for calculation of the distribution of the frequency ratios.
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| 8. |
- Török, G., et al.
(author)
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On the Origin of Clustering of Frequency Ratios in the Atoll Source 4U 1636-53
- 2008
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In: Acta Astronomica. - 0001-5237. ; 58, s. 113-119
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A long discussion has been devoted to the issue of clustering of the kHz quasi periodic oscillation (QPO) frequency ratios in neutron star sources. While the distribution of ratios inferred from an occurrence of a single QPO seems to be consistent with a random walk, the distribution based on simultaneous detections of both peaks indicates a preference of ratios of small integers. Based on the public RXTE data we further investigate this issue for the source 4U 1636-53. Quality factors and rms amplitudes of both the QPOs nearly equal at the points where the frequencies are commensurable, and where the twin QPO detections cluster. We discuss a connection of the clustering with the varying properties of the two QPO modes. Assuming approximate relations for the observed correlations of the QPO properties, we attempt to reproduce the frequency and ratio distributions using a simple model of a random-walk evolution along the observed frequency-frequency correlation. We obtain results which are in qualitative agreement with the observed distributions.
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