Timing Spectroscopy of Quasi-Periodic Oscillations in the Low-Mass X-ray Neutron Star Binaries

Abstract

Precise simultaneous measurements of the frequencies of the two kiloHertz quasi-periodic oscillations (referred in the literature as upper and lower kHz QPOs) cast doubts on the validity of the simple beat-frequency interpretation and some of the modifications introduced to explain the results of the varying frequency difference. A new model explains the variation of the frequency difference suggesting that the upper kHz QPO,namely nu_h is an upper hybrid frequency of the Keplerian oscillator under the influence of the Coriolis force and the lower kHz QPO is the Keplerian frequency nu_K. Such an oscillator has two branches characterized by high frequency nu_h (around 1 kHz) and by low frequency nu_L (around 50 Hz). The frequency nu_L depends strongly on the angle, delta between the normal to the neutron star disk and Omega - the angular velocity of the magnetosphere surrounding the neutron star. In the lower part of the QPO spectrum (around 10 Hz), this model identifies the frequency of radial viscous oscillations nu_v (previously called "extra noise component") and the break frequency nu_b, which is associated with the diffusive process in the transition region (the innermost part of the disk). According to this model, all frequencies (namely nu_h, nu_L, nu_b and nu_v) have specific dependences on nu_K. This paper focuses on the verification of the predicted relations. For the source 4U 1728-34, the best theoretical fit is obtained for delta=8.3+/-1.0^o, which is slightly larger than delta=5.5+/- 0.5^o previously found for Sco X-1. In addition, we show that the theoretically derived power law relation, nu_b proportional to nu_v^{1.61} is consistent with the recent observations of other atoll and Z-sources.