Accretion Spin-up and a Strong Magnetic Field in the Slow-spinning Be X-Ray Binary MAXI J0655-013

Pike, SN; Sugizaki, M; Eijnden, JVD; Coughenour, B; Jaodand, AD; Mihara, T; Motta, SE; Negoro, H; Shaw, AW; Shidatsu, M; Tomsick, JA

Journal article

Accretion Spin-up and a Strong Magnetic Field in the Slow-spinning Be X-Ray Binary MAXI J0655-013

Abstract:: We present Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI) and Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) observations of the Be X-ray binary, MAXI J0655−013, in outburst. NuSTAR observed the source once early in the outburst, when spectral analysis yields a bolometric (0.1–100 keV), unabsorbed source luminosity of L bol = 5.6 × 1036 erg s−1, and a second time 54 days later, by which time the luminosity had dropped to L bol = 6.5 × 1034 erg s−1 after first undergoing a dramatic increase. Timing analysis of the NuSTAR data reveals a neutron star spin period of 1129.09 ± 0.04 s during the first observation, which decreased to 1085 ± 1 s by the time of the second observation, indicating spin-up due to accretion throughout the outburst. Furthermore, during the first NuSTAR observation, we observed quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) with centroid frequency ν 0 = 89 ± 1 mHz, which exhibited a second harmonic feature. By combining the MAXI and NuSTAR data with pulse period measurements reported by Fermi/GBM, we are able to show that apparent flaring behavior in the MAXI light curve is an artifact introduced by uneven sampling of the pulse profile, which has a large pulsed fraction. Finally, we estimate the magnetic field strength at the neutron star surface via three independent methods, invoking a tentative cyclotron resonance scattering feature at 44 keV, QPO production at the inner edge of the accretion disk, and spin-up via interaction of the neutron star magnetic field with accreting material. Each of these result in a significantly different value. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each method and infer that MAXI J0655−013 is likely to have a high surface magnetic field strength, B s > 1013 G.

Publication status:: Published

Peer review status:: Peer reviewed

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APA Style

Pike, S. N., Sugizaki, M., Eijnden, J. V. D., Coughenour, B., Jaodand, A. D., Mihara, T., Motta, S. E., Negoro, H., Shaw, A. W., Shidatsu, M., & Tomsick, J. A. (2023). Accretion Spin-up and a Strong Magnetic Field in the Slow-spinning Be X-Ray Binary MAXI J0655-013. The Astrophysical Journal, 954(1), 48.

MLA Style

Pike, SN, et al. “Accretion Spin-up and a Strong Magnetic Field in the Slow-Spinning Be X-Ray Binary MAXI J0655-013.” The Astrophysical Journal, vol. 954, no. 1, 2023, p. 48.

Chicago Style

Pike, SN, M Sugizaki, JVD Eijnden, et al. 2023. “Accretion Spin-up and a Strong Magnetic Field in the Slow-Spinning Be X-Ray Binary MAXI J0655-013.” The Astrophysical Journal 954 (1): 48.
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