arXiv subjects

Arbind Pradhan

Publications and source records attributed to Arbind Pradhan.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Importance and Science Outcomes from the first XSPECT/XPoSat Workshop

This paper summarizes the science outcomes of the first Workshop on Data Analysis using observations from the XSPECT payload onboard the XPoSat, which brought together early-career researchers and experts to explore the instrument's scientific capabilities through lectures and hands-on analyses. Participants performed end-to-end data analysis, including calibration, spectral modeling, and timing studies, on seven sources comprising Neutron Star Low-Mass X-ray Binaries, pulsars, and Black Hole X-ray Binaries, demonstrating the instrument's scientific potential. The observations, obtained during the first year of XSPECT operations, together with in-house developed software, were provided to the participants, making them the first users outside the instrument team to analyze XSPECT data. For NS-LMXBs, Aql X-1 exhibited a classical Type-I X-ray burst, enabling constraints on the stellar radius through spectral fitting. Sco X-1, observed across its complete Z-track, revealed systematic spectral evolution driven by accretion-rate fluctuations and disk-corona coupling, while Cir X-1 displayed orbital phase-dependent transitions between hard and soft states, reflecting changes in accretion geometry. Among accretion-powered pulsars, GX 301-2 showed a double-peaked, energy-dependent pulse profile and strong iron fluorescence lines due to stellar wind reprocessing, whereas Vela X-1 exhibited orbital phase-dependent absorption and steady coronal temperatures. Among BH-XRBs, Cyg X-1 transitioned from a hard to soft-intermediate state with increasing disk contribution and spectral softening, while Cyg X-3 remained in the intermediate state with multiple emission lines originating from a clumpy stellar wind. The workshop outcomes highlight the scientific promise of XSPECT and the importance of collaborative training in maximizing the science from XSPECT and future Indian space astronomy missions.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

The Polarized X-ray Universe: Insights and Discoveries

Polarization is one of the fundamental natures of electromagnetic radiation. The detection of polarization or polarized photons from distant X-ray radiating systems (such as X-ray binaries (XBs), active galactic nuclei (AGN), pulsars, and stars) complements the timing, spectral, and imagining analysis to better understand the physical mechanisms taking place in these sources. Polarization has enhanced the understanding of the internal geometry of these systems and their vicinity. Polarized X-rays can be generated either directly through non-thermal physical processes in the presence of a magnetic field(B) or through the scattering of unpolarized thermal radiation within plasma structures such as an accretion disk. X-ray polarization can measure the two important independent parameters, the polarization degree (PD) and polarization angle (PA) of the X-ray photons. These parameters are crucial as they reveal the characteristics of particles in such a strong magnetic and gravitational field. In this chapter, we have discussed (i) the basic idea of polarization, (ii) some distant sources radiating polarized X-ray photons, (iii) missions dedicated to observing polarized X-ray photons, and (iv) recent breakthroughs and upcoming missions.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Probing the energy-dependent temporal nature of MAXI J1803-298 with AstroSat and NICER

We performed the spectral and temporal analysis of MAXI J1803-298 using AstroSat/LAXPC and NICER observations taken in May 2021 during the initial phase of the outburst. We found that the source traverses through the hard, intermediate, and soft spectral states during the outburst. The spectrum in all states can be described using soft emissions from the thermal disk and hard emissions from the coronal regions. The variation in the inner disk temperature and normalization of the disk indicates the motion of the truncated disk across these different spectral states. We confirmed the presence of broad features, Type-C, and Type-B QPOs in the power spectra of different spectral states. We investigated the fractional rms and lags of all the variability features and discovered that the lag swung between positive and negative during the outburst evolution. While modeling the features with a simple model that considers variations in accretion parameters such as the accretion rate, heating rate, and inner disk radius, along with delays between them, we found a dynamic reversal in the origin of variability between the corona and the disk. Furthermore, our results are consistent with previous works and a radio study conducted on this source during its outburst.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Energy-dependent temporal study of GX 13+1 with AstroSat observation

In this work, we performed an energy-dependent study of low-frequency oscillations observed in GX 13+1 using \textit{AstroSat} (Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter and Soft X-ray Telescope). The hardness-intensity diagram (HID) of the observation resembles a `$\nu$'-shaped track, while the color-color diagram exhibits a `$<$'-shaped track, similar to the horizontal and normal branches of the Z source. We conducted flux-resolved temporal studies focusing on low-frequency variability and divided the HID into five regions: A, B, C, D, and E. Low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) were detected in Regions A, B, and C. The QPO in Region A has a frequency of $5.06^{+0.54}_{-0.48}$ Hz with a quality factor (Q-factor) of 2.80. In Region B, the QPO was detected at $4.52^{+0.14}_{-0.13}$ Hz with a Q-factor of 5.79, while in Region C, it was observed at $4.70^{+0.62}_{-0.42}$ Hz with a Q-factor of 4.35. The QPO frequencies, Q-factors, and low root-mean-square (rms) values (1.32\%, 1.34\%, and 0.7\%) suggest that these oscillations are Normal Branch Oscillations, similar to those reported in GX 340+0. We modeled the rms and lag of the QPOs using a propagative model, considering variations in blackbody temperature, coronal heating rate, and optical depth. Our findings indicate that the observed QPOs are likely driven by interactions between the corona and variations in the blackbody temperature.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

Spectro-temporal study of atoll source GX 9+9 observed with AstroSat

In this work, we performed a spectro-temporal investigation of the low-mass X-ray binary GX 9+9 using the Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC) and Soft X- ray Telescope (SXT) observation on board AstroSat. The source was detected in the soft state during the observation, which results in a disk dominating energy spectrum within the energy range of 0.7-25.0 keV. We carried out the analysis at different flux levels. In the temporal analysis, LAXPC data in all flux levels showed the presence of noise components, describing broad Lorentzian components. We modeled the energy-dependent temporal properties of the source in order to identify the radiative origin of the observed variability. This source is not a well-studied source; hence we attempt to estimate various source characteristics like inner-disk radius, flux, and inner-disk temperature.

astro-ph.HE↗