arXiv subjects

Dipak Debnath

Publications and source records attributed to Dipak Debnath.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Multimission Observations of GS 1354-64 during the 2025-2026 Outburst: First Results

The Galactic transient black hole GS 1354-64 recently showed a new outburst, which has been continuously monitored by {\it MAXI}, {\it NuSTAR} and {\it Insight-HXMT} missions. The ongoing $2025$--$2026$ outburst shows a slow rise with an unusually short period ($\sim 3$~days) of X-ray flare of peak flux $\sim 1.4$~Crab, followed by another relatively weak flare of intensity $\sim 0.8$ Crab. The source was observed to evolve through ``canonical'' spectral states in a hardness-intensity diagram (HID) during rising phase of the outburst, but the subsequent outburst profile during this study, the source did not follow the reverse trend of the HID. A rapid evolution of quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) frequencies ($\sim 0.07-4$ Hz) is observed during hard and intermediate spectral states without any signature of QPOs in the soft state. The evolution of the observed low frequency QPOs shows a monotonically increasing (rising phase) signature as well as decreasing (decay phase) one, these are further studied with the propagating oscillatory shock model to understand the nature of the evolution of the shock wave responsible for the origin of the observed QPOs. The broadband energy spectra from {\it NuSTAR} ($3-70$ keV) and {\it Insight-HXMT} ($2-60$ keV) are well described by thermal (\textit{diskbb}) and reflection (\textit{relxill}) model components, indicating a strong signature of a relativistic reflection feature. Using ``canonical'' observations of a softer state, we found the source to be maximally rotating with $a_k \sim 0.998$ and inclination angle to be as $i \sim 63^\circ - 70^\circ$, which are consistent with earlier reports.

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arXiv2026

Evolution of Time-Lags of Swift J1727.8-1613 during the Rising Phase of Its Discovery Outburst

We investigate the accretion dynamics of the black hole X-ray binary Swift J1727.8-1613 during its $2023-2024$ discovery outburst that lasted for $\sim10$ months. Insight-HXMT monitored the rising phase of the outburst of Swift J1727.8-1613 roughly continuously from 2023 Aug 25 to 2023 Oct 05. Strong signatures of type-C Quasi-Periodic Oscillations (QPOs) are observed during this phase of the outburst. In our recent paper, nature of the QPOs are studied with the propagating oscillatory shock (POS) model. In this paper, we report on the observation of both positive (or hard) and negative (or soft) time-lags in the $4-10$ keV (LE), $10-30$ keV (ME), and $30 -150$ keV (HE) bands, computed with respect to the $2-4$ keV reference band. We detect a clear transition from hard to soft lags as the outburst evolves. We show the evolution of QPOs and associated time-lags between different X-ray energy bands, correlated with changes in the QPO frequency, spectral state, and the size of the Comptonizing region. Our analysis reveals strong anti-correlations between the time-lags and both QPO frequency and photon index, and a strong positive correlation with the shock location. These evolving lag characteristics and their correlations provide crucial insights into the changing accretion geometry and the interplay of radiative processes, further supporting dynamic models like the POS in explaining the coupled spectro-temporal evolution in black hole X-ray binaries.

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arXiv2025

Investigating the Anti-Correlation between Photon Index and Flux of the Crab using RXTE and NuSTAR

We present a systematic study of the recently reported anti-correlation between X-ray flux and photon index ($\Gamma$) in the Crab Nebula, using archival RXTE/PCA (3 - 50 keV), RXTE/HEXTE (20 - 100 keV), and NuSTAR (3 - 78 keV) observations. Spectra were extracted in soft (3 - 10 keV) and hard bands (10 - 50 keV, 10 - 78 keV, 20 - 100 keV) and fitted with an absorbed power-law model. Across all instruments and energy ranges, we confirm the existence of a persistent negative correlation -- harder spectra at higher flux levels. The correlation is stronger in the hard bands compared to the soft bands. This is consistent with synchrotron emission modulated by magnetic field variations in the pulsar wind nebula.

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arXiv2025

Evolution of QPO During Discovery Outburst of MAXI J1834-021: Estimation of Intrinsic Parameters from Spectro-Temporal Study

The Galactic transient black hole candidate (BHC) MAXI~J1834-021 was detected for the first time by MAXI/GSC on February 05, 2023 and it was active for next $\sim 10$~months. A monotonic evolution of low-frequency QPOs from higher to lower frequencies is observed in the middle-phase of the outburst. We study this evolution of the QPO with the propagating oscillatory shock (POS) model, and it suggests the presence of a receding shock. The POS model fit also estimates the mass of the source to be $12.1\pm0.3~M_\odot$. We also study the boradband ($0.5$-$70$~keV) nature of the source using archival data of NICER and NuSTAR on March 10, 2023 with the both phenomenological (combined disk blackbody plus powerlaw) and physical (\textit{nthComp, kerrbb, TCAF}) models. The mass of the BHC estimated by the \texttt{kerbb} and \texttt{TCAF} models is found to be consistent with POS model fits as well as reported in our recent work. Combining all these methods, we predict mass of the source as $12.3^{+1.1}_{-2.0}~M_\odot$. The \texttt{kerbb} model fit also estimates the spin, distance, and inclination of the source to be $0.13^{+0.03}_{-0.02}$, $9.2^{+0.4}_{-0.9}$~kpc, and $80^\circ.0$$^{+2.7}_{-6.0}$, respectively. The combined spectral study suggests harder spectral state of the source with a higher dominance of the sub-Keplerian halo accretion rate over the Keplerian disk rate. The consistency of the observed frequency of the QPO with that of obtained from the \texttt{TCAF} model fitted shock parameters, confirms shock oscillation as the origin of the QPO.

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arXiv2025

Accretion Flow Properties of Swift J1727.8-1613 and Estimation of the BH Mass

The rising phase of the 2023-24 outburst of the recently discovered bright transient black hole candidate Swift J1727.8-1613 was monitored by {\it Insight}-HXMT. We study the evolution of hard ($4$-150$ keV) and soft ($2$-$4$ keV) band photon count rates, the hardness ratio (HR), QPO frequencies, and spectral features using daily observations from the HXMT/LE, ME, and HE instruments between August 25 and October 5, 2023. The QPO frequency is found to be strongly correlated with the soft-band X-ray count rates, and spectral photon indices. In contrast, a strong anti-correlation is observed between HR and QPO frequency, as well as between HR and photon index. Based on the evolution of the temporal and spectral properties, the rising phase of the outburst is subdivided into six parts. The evolution of the QPOs in parts 1-5 is fitted with the propagating oscillatory shock (POS) solution to understand the nature of the evolution from a physical perspective. An inward-propagating shock with weakening strength (except in part 4) is observed during the period of our study. The probable mass of the source is estimated to be $13.5 \pm 1.9~M_\odot$ using the QPO frequency ($\nu$)-photon index ($\Gamma$) scaling method.

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arXiv2025

Accretion Flow Properties of MAXI J1834-021 During Its Double-Outbursts In 2023

The Galactic transient black hole candidate MAXI J1834-021 exhibited `faint' outbursting activity for approximately $10$ months following its discovery on February 5, 2023. We study the evolution of both the temporal (hard and soft band photon count rates, hardness ratios, and QPO frequencies) and spectral properties of the source using NICER data between March 7 and October 4, 2023. The outburst profile and the nature of QPOs suggest that the source underwent a mini-outburst following the primary outburst. A monotonic evolution of low-frequency QPOs from higher to lower frequencies is observed during the primary outbursting phase. Both phenomenological (diskbb plus powerlaw) and physical (Two Component Advective Flow) model fitted spectral studies suggest that during the entire epoch, the source remained in harder spectral states, with a clear dominance of nonthermal emissions from the `hot' Compton cloud. Based on the evolution of the spectral and temporal properties, the 2023 outbursting activity of MAXI J1834-021 can be classified as a combination of double `failed' outbursts, as no softer spectral states were observed. The spectral analysis with the TCAF model also gives an estimate of the source mass as $12.3\pm0.2~M_\odot$.

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arXiv2025

Detection of X-ray Polarization in the Hard State of IGR J17091-3624: Spectro-Polarimetric Study with IXPE and NuSTAR Data

The class-transition Galactic X-ray binary IGR~J17091--3624 was simultaneously monitored by the \textit{IXPE} and \textit{NuSTAR} satellites. We present a detailed spectro-polarimetric study of the source using data from both satellites covering the period from March~7--10, 2025. A polarimetric analysis in the $2$--$8$~keV band using a model-independent method reveals a significant detection of polarization degree (PD) of $(11.3\pm2.35)\%$ at a polarization angle (PA) of $82^\circ.7\pm5^\circ.96$ (significant at $>4\sigma$). The model-dependent polarization analysis using the \texttt{polconst} and \texttt{polpow} models yields consistent values of PD and PA. In both methods, an energy-dependent increasing trend of PD is observed. In the $6$--$8$~keV band, a maximum PD of $(29.9\pm8.46)\%$ (significant at $>3\sigma$) is detected at a PA of $88^\circ.0\pm8^\circ.15$ ($>3\sigma$). The joint spectral analysis using \textit{IXPE} and \textit{NuSTAR} data in the $2$--$70$~keV band was performed with four different sets of phenomenological and physical models. Our results indicate a strong dominance of non-thermal photons originating from a `hot' Compton cloud, suggesting that the source was in a hard spectral state. Spectral fitting with the physical {\fontfamily{qcr}\selectfont kerrbb} and {\fontfamily{qcr}\selectfont TCAF} models provides an estimate of the black hole mass $M_{\rm BH} = 14.8^{+4.7}_{-3.4}~M_\odot$ and dimensionless spin parameter $a^* \sim 0.54$. The requirement of a higher hydrogen column density in the spectral fit of the second \textit{NuSTAR} observation is attributed to the obscuration of non-thermal photons during the dip phase, likely caused by the presence of wind accreted from the companion star.

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arXiv2024

Detection of QPO Soft Lag during Outburst of Swift J1727.8-1613: Estimation of Instrinsic Parameters from Spectral Study

The recently discovered bright transient black hole candidate Swift J1727.8-1613 is studied in a broad energy range ($0.5-79$ keV) using combined NICER and NuSTAR data on 29 August 2023. A promonient type-C Quasi-Periodic Oscillation (QPO) at $0.89 \pm 0.01$ Hz with its harmonic was observed in NICER data of $0.5-10$ keV. Interestingly, the harmonic becomes weaker in the lower energy bands ($0.5-1$ & $1-3$ keV). We also report the first detection of a soft time-lag of $0.014 \pm 0.001$ s at the QPO frequency between harder ($3-10$ kev) and softer ($0.5-3$ keV) band photons observed with the NICER/XTI instrument. This indicates that the inclination of the accretion disk in the binary system might be high. From the detailed spectral analysis with the relxill reflection model, we found the disk inclination angle of source to be $\sim 85^\circ$. We discuss how the accretion flow configuration inferred from spectral analysis can help us to understand the origin of QPOs and soft lag in this source.

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arXiv2024

Accretion Flow Properties of EXO 1846-031 During its Multi-Peaked Outburst After Long Quiescence

We study the recent outburst of the black hole candidate EXO 1846-031 which went into an outburst in 2019 after almost 34 years in quiescence. We use archival data from Swift/XRT, MAXI/GSC, NICER/XTI and NuSTAR/FPM satellites/instruments to study the evolution of the spectral and temporal properties of the source during the outburst. Low energy (2-10 keV) X-ray flux of the outburst shows multiple peaks making it a multipeak outburst. Evolving type-C quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) are observed in the NICER data in the hard, hard intermediate and soft intermediate states. We use the physical Two Component Advective Flow (TCAF) model to analyze the combined spectra of multiple satellite instruments. According to the TCAF model, the accreting matter is divided into Keplerian and sub-Keplerian parts, and the variation in the observed spectra in different spectral states arises out of the variable contributions of these two types of accreting matter in the total accretion rate. Studying the evolution of the accretion rates and other properties of the accretion flow obtained from the spectral analysis, we show how the multiple peaks in the outburst flux arises out of variable supply of accreting matter from the pile-up radius. We determine the probable mass of the black hole to be $10.4^{+0.1}_{-0.2}~M_\odot$ from the spectral analysis with the TCAF model. We also estimate viscous time scale of the source in this outburst to be $\sim 8$ days from the peak difference of the Keplerian and sub-Keplerian mass accretion rates.

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arXiv2023

MAXI J0637-430: A Possible Candidate for Bulk Motion Comptonization?

The transient Galactic black hole candidate MAXI J0637-430 went through an outburst in 2019--20 for the very first time. This outburst was active for almost 6 months from November 2019 to May 2020. We study the spectral properties of this source during that outburst using archival data from NICER, Swift, and NuSTAR satellites/instruments. We have analyzed the source during 6 epochs on which simultaneous NICER--NuSTAR and Swift/XRT--NuSTAR data were available. Using both phenomenological and physical model fitting approaches, we analyzed the spectral data in the broad $0.7-70$ keV energy band. We first used a combination of disk blackbody with power-law, disk blackbody with broken power-law, and disk blackbody with power-law and bmc models. For a better understanding of the accretion picture, e.g., understanding how the accretion rates change with the changing size of the perceived Compton cloud, we used the two-component advective flow (TCAF) model with broken power-law, TCAF with power-law and bmc models. For last 3 epochs, the diskbb+power-law and TCAF models were able to spectrally fit the data for acceptable $χ^2/DOF$. However, for the first 3 epochs, we needed an additional component to fit spectra for acceptable $χ^2/DOF$. From our analysis, we reported about the possible presence of another component during these first 3 epochs when the source was in the high soft state. This additional component in this state is best described by the bulk motion Comptonization phenomenon. From the TCAF model fitting, we estimated the average mass of the source as $8.1^{+1.3}_{-2.7}~M_\odot$.

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arXiv2022

Properties of MAXI J1348-630 during Its Second Outburst in 2019

The newly discovered galactic black hole candidate (BHC) MAXI~J1348-630 showed two major outbursts in 2019, just after its discovery. Here, we provide a detailed spectral and temporal analysis of the less-studied second outburst using archive data from multiple satellites, namely Swift, MAXI, NICER, NuSTAR and AstroSat. The outburst continued for around two and a half months. Unlike the first outburst from this source, this second outburst was a `failed' one. The source did not transition to soft or intermediate spectral states. During the entire outburst, the source was in the hard state with high dominance of non-thermal photons. The presence of strong shocks are inferred from spectral fitting using a TCAF model. In NuSTAR spectra, weak reflection is observed from spectral fitting. Low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations are also detected in AstroSat data.

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arXiv2022

Accretion Flow Properties of MAXI J1910-057/Swift J1910.2-0546 During Its 2012-13 Outburst

Galactic black hole candidate MAXI J1910-057/Swift J1910.2-0546 was simultaneously discovered by MAXI/GSC and Swift/BAT satellites during its first outburst in 2012. We study the detailed spectral and temporal properties of the source in a broad energy range using archival data from Swift/XRT, MAXI/GSC and Swift/BAT satellites/instruments. Low frequency quasi periodic oscillations are observed during the outburst. The combined 1-50 keV spectra are analyzed using the transonic flow solution based Two Component Advective Flow (TCAF) model. Based on the variations of soft and hard X-ray fluxes, their hardness ratios and the variations of the spectral model fitted parameters, we find that the source has evolved through six spectral states. We interpret this spectral state evolution to be a result of two connected outbursts where the leftover matter from a primary outburst is released from the pile-up radius due to a sudden rise of viscosity causing a reflare/secondary outburst. We show a possible configuration of the evolution of accretion flow during the outburst. From the spectral analysis with TCAF model, we estimate the mass of the black hole to be $9.97^{+3.51}_{-3.24}$ $M_\odot$ , and the source distance is estimated to be $3.4-9.6$~kpc from transition luminosity considerations.

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arXiv2022

Properties of 2017-18 'failed' Outburst of GX 339-4

The Galactic transient black hole candidate GX 339-4 is a very interesting object to study as it showed both complete and failed types of outbursts. We studied both spectral and temporal properties of the 2017-18 outburst of the source using archival data of NICER and AstroSat instruments. This 2017-18 outburst is found to be failed in nature, as during the entire period of the outburst, the source was only in the hard spectral state. Source spectra were highly dominated with the non-thermal fluxes. When we tried to fit spectra with phenomenological models, most of the spectra were fitted with only the powerlaw model, and only six spectra required disk black body plus powerlaw models. While fitting spectra with the physical two-component advective flow (TCAF) model, we observed that the flow was highly dominated by the sub-Keplerian halo rate. The presence of stronger shock at a larger radius from the black hole was also observed during the rising and declining phases of the outburst. A prominent signature of $0.31$~Hz QPO is observed with its four harmonics. Mass of the black hole was also estimated from our spectral analysis with the TCAF model as $10.76^{+0.77}_{-1.07}~M_\odot$.

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arXiv2022

Similarities and Differences in Accretion Flow Properties between GRS 1915+105 and IGR J17091-3624: a Case Study

We perform a comparative spectro-temporal analysis on the variability classes of GRS 1915+105 and IGR J17091-3624 to draw inferences regarding the underlying accretion flow mechanism. The $ν$, as well as C2 class Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer observation, have been considered for analysis. We investigate the intensity variation of the source in different energy domains that correspond to different components of the accretion flow and infer the relative dominance of these flow components during the dip/flare events. We correlate the dependence of the dynamic photon index ($Θ$) with intensities in different energy bands and comment on the transition of the source to hard/soft phases during soft dips/flares. We also report the presence of sharp QPOs at \sim7.1 Hz corresponding to both softer and harder domain in the case of $ν$ variability class of GRS 1915+105 and discuss the possible accretion flow configuration it suggests. Sharp QPO around \sim20 mHz is observed in $ν$ and C2 classes of IGR J17091-3624 in low and mid energy band (2.0-6.0 keV and 6.0-15.0 keV), but remains undetected in high energy (15.0-60.0 keV). The 2.5-25.0 keV background-subtracted spectra have also been fitted with TCAF along with a Compton reflection component. A plausible accretion flow mechanism in order to explain the observed variability has been proposed.

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arXiv2022

Transonic accretion and winds around Pseudo-Kerr black holes and comparison with general relativistic solutions

Spectral and timing properties of accretion flows on a black hole depend on their density and temperature distributions, which in turn come from the underlying dynamics. Thus, an accurate description of the flow which includes hydrodynamics and radiative transfer is a must to interpret the observational results. In the case of non-rotating black holes, Pseudo-Newtonian description of surrounding space-time enables one to make a significant progress in predicting spectral and timing properties. This formalism is lacking for spinning black holes. In this paper, we show that there exists an exact form of 'natural' potential derivable from the general relativistic (GR) radial momentum equation. Use of this potential in an otherwise Newtonian set of equations allows to describe transonic flows very accurately as is evidenced by comparing with solutions obtained from the full GR framework. We study the properties of the critical points and the centrifugal pressure supported shocks in the parameter space spanned by the specific energy and the angular momentum, and compare with the results of GR hydrodynamics. We show that this potential can safely be used for the entire range of Kerr parameter $-1<a<1$ for modeling of observational results around spinning black holes. We assume the flow to be inviscid. Thus, it is non-dissipative with constant energy and angular momentum. These assumptions are valid very close to the black hole as the infall timescale is much shorter as compared to the viscous timescale.

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arXiv2021

Accretion Flow Properties of GRS 1915+105 During Its $θ$ Class Using AstroSat Data

The Galactic microquasar GRS 1915+105 shows rich variability which is categorized into different classes. In this paper, we report temporal and spectral analysis of GRS 1915+105 to study the properties of the accretion flow when the light curve is showing $θ$ class variability. For this purpose, we use the LAXPC data from the Target of Opportunity observations of India's first multi-wavelength astronomy satellite AstroSat. The $θ$ class is marked by the recurrent appearance of U-shaped regions in the light curve, where the photon count rate first decreases rapidly and then increases slowly. For our analysis, we use U-shaped regions of first two orbits (02345 and 02346) on 2016 March 04. In both of the cases, the dynamic Power Density Spectra (PDS) showed significant power at around $4-5$ Hz, suggesting the presence of a low-frequency Quasi-Periodic Oscillation (QPO) around that frequency interval. The QPO frequency is found to increase with time when the enhancement of the energy flux also takes place. From the evolution of the spectra, we determine the evolution of the accretion flow parameters in both of these observations. Fitting the spectra with the transonic flow solution based Two-Component Advective Flow (TCAF) model in $4-25$ keV energy band shows that the Keplerian disk accretion rate rises with the rise in the radiation intensity, while the location of the centrifugal pressure driven shock front decreases. In both these data, a gradual increment of power-law photon index with intensity is observed suggesting the progressive softening of the source.

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arXiv2021

Anomalous nature of outbursts of the black hole candidate 4U 1630-472

The Galactic black hole candidate (BHC) 4U~1630-472 has gone through several outbursts (13 to be particular) in the last two and a half decades starting from the RXTE era till date. Like the outbursts of other transient BHCs, the outbursts of this source show variations in duration, peak numbers, highest peak flux, etc. However, unlike any other soft X-ray transients, this source showed outbursts of two types, such as normal and super. The normal outbursts of duration $\sim 100-200$~days are observed quasi periodically at an average recurrence/quiescence period of $\sim 500$~days. The super outbursts of duration $\sim 1.5-2.5$~years contain one or more normal outbursts other than one mega outburst. We make an effort to separate flux contribution of the normal and the mega outbursts from the super outbursts, and tried to understand the nature of evolution of both types (normal and mega) of outbursts, based on the quiescent period prior to the outbursts. Archival data of RXTE/ASM from January 1996 to June 2011, and MAXI/GSC from August 2009 to July 2020 are used for our study. A possible linear relation between the quiescent and outburstsing periods for both types of outbursts are observed. This makes the BHC a special source, and it may contain two companion binaries. Two companions might be responsible for two types of outbursts.

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arXiv2021

Accretion Properties of MAXI J1813-095 during its Failed Outburst in 2018

We present the results obtained from detailed timing and spectral studies of a black hole candidate MAXI~J1813-095 using {\it Swift}, {\it NICER}, and {\it NuSTAR} observations during its 2018 outburst. The timing behaviour of the source is mainly studied by using {\it NICER} light curves in a $0.5-10$ keV range. We did not find any signature of quasi-periodic oscillations in the power density spectra of the source. We carry out spectral analysis with a combined disk blackbody \& power-law model, and a physical two-component advective flow (TCAF) model. From the combined {\tt disk blackbody} \& {\tt power-law} model, we extracted thermal and non-thermal fluxes, photon index, and inner disk temperature. We also find evidence for weak reflection in the spectra. We have tested the physical TCAF model on a broadband spectrum from {\it NuSTAR} and {\it Swift}/XRT. The parameters like mass accretion rates, the size of the Compton clouds and the shock strength are extracted. Our result shows that the source remained in the hard state during the entire outburst which indicates a `failed' outburst. We estimate the mass of the black hole as $7.4 \pm 1.5$ $M_{\odot}$ from the spectral study with the TCAF model. We use {\tt LAOR} model for the Fe K$α$ line emission. From this, the spin parameter of the black hole is estimated as $a^* > 0.76$. The inclination angle of the system is estimated to be in the range of $28^{\circ} - 45^{\circ}$ from the reflection model. We estimate the source distance to be $\sim 6$ kpc.

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