Mapping the X-ray variability of GRS 1915 + 105 with machine learning

Black hole X-ray binary systems (BHBs) contain a close companion star accreting onto a stellar-mass black hole. A typical BHB undergoes transient outbursts during which it exhibits a sequence of long-lived spectral states, each of which is relatively stable. GRS 1915 + 105 is a unique BHB that exhibits an unequaled number and variety of distinct variability patterns in X-rays. Many of these patterns contain unusual behaviour not seen in other sources. These variability patterns have been sorted into different classes based on count rate and colour characteristics by previous work. In order to remove human decision-making from the pattern-recognition process, we employ an unsupervised machine learning algorithm called an auto-encoder to learn what classifications are naturally distinct by allowing the algorithm to cluster observations. We focus on observations taken by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer's Proportional Counter Array. We find that the auto-encoder closely groups observations together that are classified as similar by previous work, but that there is reasonable grounds for defining each class as made up of components from three groups of distinct behaviour.