The discovery of the delayed iron lines and the hard x-ray binary pulsar, centaurus x-3
Abstract
Strong iron K lines observed from Centaurus X-3 (Cen X-3) are considered to come from a re-processing matter around the neutron star, e.g. the Alfven shell. Thus the X- rays in the energy band containing the iron K lines ("iron-band") is expected to have a certain delay from the higher energy X-rays. We applied cross spectrum functions for four data of Cen X-3 observed with RXTE and discovered the significant time delay of temporal variation of "iron-band" as com- pared with that of the other continuum X-rays by (6.0+/-2.4) ms, (4.0+/-3.8) ms, and (10.1+/-4.9) ms (1- error). These results lead to a determination of (1.8+/-0.7)×108 cm, (1.2+/-1.1)×108 cm, and (3.0+/-1.7)× 108 cm for the distance between the original X-ray source, neutron star, and the reprocessor, which emits the iron lines. We also discovered the time difference showed a general trend such that the higher energy X-rays advanced in comparison with the lower energy X-rays with the excep- tion of the "iron-band". This discovery of the general trend of the hard X-ray advance is considered to be related to the X-ray emission mechanism on the neutron star. We will present the detail analysis using the cross spectra and the interpretation of these results.
- Publication:
-
34th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2002
- Bibcode:
- 2002cosp...34E3212K