Evolution of the X-Ray Properties of the Transient Magnetar XTE J1810-197
Abstract
We report on X-ray observations of the 5.54 s transient magnetar XTE J1810-197 using the XMM-Newton and Chandra observatories, analyzing new data from 2008 through 2014, and re-analyzing data from 2003 through 2007 with the benefit of these six years of new data. From the discovery of XTE J1810-197 during its 2003 outburst to the most recent 2014 observations, its 0.3-10 keV X-ray flux has declined by a factor of about 50 from 4.1 × 10-11 to 8.1 × 10-13 erg cm-2 s-1. Its X-ray spectrum has now reached a steady state. Pulsations continue to be detected from a 0.3 keV thermal hot spot that remains on the neutron star (NS) surface. The luminosity of this hot spot exceeds XTE J1810-197’s spin-down luminosity, indicating continuing magnetar activity. We find that XTE J1810-197’s X-ray spectrum is best described by a multiple component blackbody model in which the coldest 0.14 keV component likely originates from the entire NS surface, and the thermal hot-spot is, at different epochs, well described by an either one- or two-component blackbody model. A 1.2 keV absorption line, possibly due to resonant proton scattering, is detected at all epochs. The X-ray flux of the hot spot decreased by ≈ 20% between 2008 and 2009 March, the same period during which XTE J1810-197 became radio quiet.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- February 2016
- DOI:
- 10.3847/0004-637X/818/2/122
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1601.00757
- Bibcode:
- 2016ApJ...818..122A
- Keywords:
-
- pulsars: individual: XTE J1810–197;
- stars: neutron;
- Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
- E-Print:
- 27 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ