Generation of X-ray radiation in the inner regions of accretion disks around black holes, neutron stars, and white dwarfs

L.G. Titarchuk^†, E.V. Mikheeva^‡, V.N. Lukash^§
Astro Space Centre, Lebedev Physical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Profsoyuznaya 84/32, Moscow, 117997, Russian Federation

The most important temporal and spectral characteristics of X-ray radiation arising near black holes, neutron stars, and white dwarfs in the presence of matter accreting from the disk that surrounds the compact object are reviewed. It is shown how these characteristics are related to the physical parameters of these systems. A key characteristic of X-ray radiation is photon index Γ, defined as the slope of the emission spectrum in the energy range of 0.5—500 keV. If the compact object of a binary is a black hole, the X-ray radiation features saturation of the photon index (with increasing accretion rate), its value is ranging from 2 to 3. A correlation between Γ and the quasi-periodic oscillation frequency, ν_QPO, is revealed in these systems, which can be employed to independently determine the black hole mass using scaling method. The developed model of radiation transfer is now the basis of a scaling method which provides an independent estimate of mass also in the case of a supermassive black hole. The generated X-ray spectrum can be presented in a wide energy range as a combination of thermal, Comptonized, and Gaussian components that describe the emission lines. A model of radiative transfer in the vicinity of black holes and neutron stars can also explain the properties of the X-ray emission when the compact object is a white dwarf. The example of four dwarf novae, U Gem, SS Cyg, VW Hyi, and SS Aur, is used to show that the continuum of the X-ray spectrum of nonmagnetic cataclysmic variables can be described as a result of the Comptonization of soft photons on hot electrons of the accretion cloud that surrounds the white dwarf.

Keywords: accretion, accretion disk, nonthermal radiation mechanism
PACS: 97.80.Jp
DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2022.11.039272
URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2023/9/b/
Web of Science

001112661900002
Scopus

2-s2.0-85182871146
ADS NASA

2023PhyU...66..885T
Citation: Titarchuk L G, Mikheeva E V, Lukash V N "Generation of X-ray radiation in the inner regions of accretion disks around black holes, neutron stars, and white dwarfs" Phys. Usp. 66 885–913 (2023)

BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks

Received: 26th, April 2022, revised: 6th, October 2022, accepted: 10th, November 2022

Оригинал: Титарчук Л Г, Михеева Е В, Лукаш В Н «Формирование рентгеновского излучения во внутренних областях аккреционных дисков вокруг чёрных дыр, нейтронных звёзд и белых карликов» УФН 193 940–970 (2023); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2022.11.039272

References (90) Similar articles (20) ↓

P.B. Ivanov, E.V. Mikheeva et al “Interferometric observations of supermassive black holes in the millimeter wave band” 62 423–449 (2019)
Yu.A. Shchekinov, V.N. Lukash et al “Interstellar and intergalactic gas in the far IR and submillimeter spectral ranges” 60 961–993 (2017)
V.N. Lukash, E.V. Mikheeva, A.M. Malinovsky “Formation of the large-scale structure of the Universe” 54 983–1005 (2011)
A.G. Doroshkevich, V.N. Lukash, E.V. Mikheeva “A solution to the problems of cusps and rotation curves in dark matter halos in the cosmological standard model” 55 3–17 (2012)
N.I. Shakura, K.A. Postnov et al “Quasi-spherical subsonic accretion in X-ray pulsars” 56 321–346 (2013)
B.M. Vladimirskii, A.M. Gal’per et al “Cygnus X-3: a powerful galactic source of hard radiation” 28 153–169 (1985)
V.P. Krainov, M.B. Smirnov “The evolution of large clusters under the action of ultrashort superintense laser pulses” 43 901–920 (2000)
A.M. Cherepashchuk “Masses of black holes in binary stellar systems” 39 759–780 (1996)
E.O. Babichev, V.I. Dokuchaev, Yu.N. Eroshenko “Black holes in the presence of dark energy” 56 1155–1175 (2013)
A.I. Nikishov, V.I. Ritus “Gravitational radiation of systems and the role of their force field” 53 1093–1122 (2010)
D.N. Razdoburdin, V.V. Zhuravlev “Transient dynamics of perturbations in astrophysical disks” 58 1031–1058 (2015)
A.M. Fridman, D.V. Bisikalo “The nature of accretion disks of close binary stars: overreflection instability and developed turbulence” 51 551–576 (2008)
B.M. Smirnov, G.V. Shlyapnikov “Infrared radiation transfer in molecular gases” 23 179–198 (1980)
V.L. Ginzburg “PULSARS (Theoretical Concepts)” 14 83–103 (1971)
N.A. Veretenov, N.N. Rosanov, S.V. Fedorov “Laser solitons: topological and quantum phenomena” 65 131–162 (2022)
A.Y. Potekhin “Atmospheres and radiating surfaces of neutron stars” 57 735–770 (2014)
S.V. Bulanov, T.Zh. Esirkepov et al “Relativistic mirrors in plasmas — novel results and perspectives” 56 429–464 (2013)
M.V. Kuzelev, A.A. Rukhadze “Spontaneous and stimulated emission induced by an electron, electron bunch, and electron beam in a plasma” 51 989–1018 (2008)
K.Yu. Platonov, G.D. Fleishman “Transition radiation in media with random inhomogeneities” 45 235–291 (2002)
D.G. Yakovlev, K.P. Levenfish, Yu.A. Shibanov “Cooling of neutron stars and superfluidity in their cores” 42 737 (1999)

The list is formed automatically.