Correlated timing and spectral behavior of 4U 1705-44

Abstract

We follow the timing properties of the neutron star low-mass X-ray binary system 4U 1705-44 in different spectral states, as monitored by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer over about a month. We fit the power density spectra using multiple Lorentzians. We show that the characteristic frequencies of these Lorentzians, when properly identified, fit within the correlations previously reported. The time evolution of these frequencies and their relation with the parameters of the energy spectra reported in Barret & Olive (2002) are used to constrain the accretion geometry changes. The spectral data were fitted by the sum of a blackbody and a Comptonized component and were interpreted in the framework of a truncated accretion disk geometry, with a varying truncation radius. If one assumes that the characteristic frequencies of the Lorentzians are some measure of this truncation radius, as in most theoretical models, then the timing data presented here strengthen the above interpretation. The soft to hard and hard to soft transitions are clearly associated with the disk receding from and approaching the neutron star respectively. During the transitions, correlations are found between the Lorentzian frequencies and the flux and temperature of the blackbody, which is thus likely to be coming from the disk. On the other hand, in the hard state, the characteristic Lorentzians frequencies which are at the lowest, remained nearly constant despite significant evolution of the spectra parameters. The disk no longer contributes to the X-ray emission, and the blackbody is now likely to be emitted by the neutron star surface which is providing the seed photons for the Comptonization.