A Fast X-ray Disk Wind in the Transient Pulsar IGR J17480-2446 in Terzan 5

Authors

Jon M. Miller, University of Michigan
Dipankar Maitra, University of Michigan
Edward M. Cackett, Institute of Astronomy, University of CambridgeFollow
Sudip Bhattacharyya, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Tod E. Strohmayer, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Accretion disk winds are revealed in Chandra gratings spectra of black holes. The winds are hot and highly ionized (typically composed of He-like and H-like charge states) and show modest blueshifts. Similar line spectra are sometimes seen in "dipping" low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs), which are likely viewed edge-on; however, that absorption is tied to structures in the outer disk, and blueshifts are not typically observed. Here, we report the detection of blueshifted He-like Fe XXV (3100 ± 400 km s^-1) and H-like Fe XXVI (1000 ± 200 km s^-1) absorption lines in a Chandra/HETG spectrum of the transient pulsar and LMXB IGR J17480-2446 in Terzan 5. These features indicate a disk wind with at least superficial similarities to those observed in stellar-mass black holes. The wind does not vary strongly with numerous weak X-ray bursts or flares. A broad Fe K emission line is detected in the spectrum, and fits with different line models suggest that the inner accretion disk in this system may be truncated. If the stellar magnetic field truncates the disk, a field strength of B= (0.7-4.0)×10⁹ G is implied, which is in line with estimates based on X-ray timing techniques. We discuss our findings in the context of accretion flows onto neutron stars and stellar-mass black holes.

Disciplines

Cosmology, Relativity, and Gravity | Stars, Interstellar Medium and the Galaxy

Comments

NOTICE IN COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLISHER POLICY: ©2011, American Astronomical Society. Available at: doi:10.1088/2041-8205/731/1/L7

Recommended Citation

A Fast X-ray Disk Wind in the Transient Pulsar IGR J17480–2446 in Terzan 5

Jon M. Miller et al. 2011 ApJ 731 L7