Tomography of the SFXT IGRJ16418-4532: probing a transitional regime
Abstract
We propose a 260 ks observation (2 consecutive rev) of IGRJ16418-4532, the SFXT pulsar with the shortest known orbital period (3.73 days) to cover almost one entire orbit.The origin of its large variability is controversial:it has been suggested to be explained by accretion of clumps from the supergiant or as a unique case of transitional accretion regime between Roche Lobe Overflow and direct wind accretion. Our proposed long observation will be able to investigate the accretion process, unveiling the spatial distribution of the donor wind along the neutron star orbit (eventual presence of a tidal gas stream from the supergiant towards the neutron star, predicted in the transitional accretion regime) and its properties (density and ionization structure).
- Publication:
-
XMM-Newton Proposal
- Pub Date:
- October 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011xmm..prop..115S
- Keywords:
-
- White Dwarf Binaries;
- Neutron Star Binaries;
- Cataclysmic Variables;
- ULXs;
- Black Holes;
- IGR J16418-4532;
- IGR J16418-4532