arXiv subjects

Timothy R. Kallman

Publications and source records attributed to Timothy R. Kallman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

The Soft-Excess in Mrk 509: Warm Corona or Relativistic Reflection?

We present the analysis of the first NuSTAR observations ($\sim 220$ ks), simultaneous with the last SUZAKU observations ($\sim 50$ ks), of the active galactic nucleus of the bright Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 509. The time-averaged spectrum in the $1-79$ keV X-ray band is dominated by a power-law continuum ($Γ\sim 1.8-1.9$), a strong soft excess around 1 keV, and signatures of X-ray reflection in the form of Fe K emission ($\sim 6.4$ keV), an Fe K absorption edge ($\sim 7.1$ keV), and a Compton hump due to electron scattering ($\sim 20-30$ keV). We show that these data can be described by two very different prescriptions for the soft excess: a warm ($kT\sim 0.5-1$ keV) and optically thick ($τ\sim10-20$) Comptonizing corona, or a relativistically blurred ionized reflection spectrum from the inner regions of the accretion disk. While these two scenarios cannot be distinguished based on their fit statistics, we argue that the parameters required by the warm corona model are physically incompatible with the conditions of standard coronae. Detailed photoionization calculations show that even in the most favorable conditions, the warm corona should produce strong absorption in the observed spectrum. On the other hand, while the relativistic reflection model provides a satisfactory description of the data, it also requires extreme parameters, such as maximum black hole spin, a very low and compact hot corona, and a very high density for the inner accretion disk. Deeper observations of this source are thus necessary to confirm the presence of relativistic reflection, and to further understand the nature of its soft excess.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

On the discrepancy between the X-ray and UV absorption measurements of OVI in the local ISM

The total amount of OVI present in the interstellar medium (ISM) obtained via absorption measurements in UV and X-ray spectra is currently in disagreement, with the latter being significantly larger (by a factor of 10 or more) than the former. Previous works have proposed that the blend of the OVI Ka line (22.032 A) with the OII Kb-L12 line (22.04 A) could account for the stronger absorption observed in the X-ray spectra. Here we present a detailed study of the oxygen absorption in the local ISM, implementing our new model IGMabs, which includes photoabsorption cross-sections of highly ionized species of abundant elements as well as turbulence broadening. By analyzing high-resolution Chandra spectra of 13 low mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) and 29 extragalactic sources, we have estimated the column densities of OI-OIII and from OVI-OVIII along multiple line-of-sights. We find that in most cases the OII Kb-L12 line accounts for < 30% of the total OVI Ka + OII Kb. We conclude that the amount of OII predicted by our model is still insufficient to explain the discrepancy between X-ray and UV measurements of OVI column densities.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

Predicting Stellar-Mass Black Hole X-ray Spectra from Simulations

We describe results from a new technique for the prediction of complete, self-consistent X-ray spectra from three-dimensional General Relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations of black hole accretion flows. Density and cooling rate data from a HARM3D GRMHD simulation are processed by both an improved version of the Monte Carlo radiation transport code PANDURATA (in the corona) and the Feautrier solver PTRANSX (in the disk), with XSTAR subroutines. The codes are run in a sequential but iterative fashion to achieve globally energy-conserving and self-consistent radiation fields, temperature maps, and photoionization equilibria. The output is the X-ray spectrum as seen by a distant observer. For the example cases we consider here---a non-rotating $10 M_\odot$ black hole with solar abundances, accreting at 0.01, 0.03, 0.1, or 0.3 Eddington---we find spectra resembling actual observations of stellar-mass black holes in the soft or steep power-law state: broad thermal peaks (at 1-3 keV), steep power-laws extending to high energy ($Γ$ = 2.7-4.5), and prominent, asymmetric Fe K$α$ emission lines with equivalent widths in the range 40-400 eV (larger EW at lower accretion rates). By starting with simulation data, we obviate the need for parameterized descriptions of the accretion flow geometry---no a priori specification of the corona's shape or flux, or the disk temperature or density, etc., are needed. Instead, we apply the relevant physical principles to simulation output using appropriate numerical techniques; this procedure allows us to calculate inclination-dependent spectra after choosing only a small number of physically meaningful parameters: black hole mass and spin, accretion rate, and elemental abundances.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

3D mapping of the neutral X-ray absorption in the local interstellar medium: The Gaia and XMM-Newton synergy

We present a three-dimensional map of the hydrogen density distribution in the Galactic interstellar medium. The hydrogen equivalent column densities were obtained from the Exploring the X-ray Transient and variable Sky project ({\sc EXTraS}) which provides equivalent $N_{\rm H}$ values from X-ray spectral fits of observations within the {\it XMM-Newton} Data Release. {\sc EXTraS} include multiple fits for each source, allowing an accurate determination of the equivalent column densities, which depends on the continuum modeling of the spectra. A cross-correlation between the {\sc EXTraS} catalogue and the first {\it Gaia} Data Release was performed in order to obtain accurate parallax and distance measurements. We use a Bayesian method explained in \citet{rez17} in order to predict the most probable distribution of the density at any arbitrary point, even for lines of sight along which there are no initial observation. The resulting map shows small-scale density structures which can not been modeled by using analytic density profiles. In this paper we present a proof of concept of the kind of science possible with the synergy of these catalogs. However, given the systematic uncertainties connected to the source identification and to the dependence of $N_{\rm H}$ on the spectral model, the present maps should be considered qualitatively at this point.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

On the detectability of CO molecules in the Interstellar Medium via X-ray spectroscopy

We present a study of the detectability of CO molecules in the Galactic interstellar medium using high-resolution X-ray spectra obtained with the XMM-Newton Reflection Grating Spectrometer. We analyzed 10 bright low mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) to study the CO contribution in their line-of-sights. A total of 25 observations were fitted with the ISMabs X-ray absorption model which includes photoabsorption cross-sections for O I, O II, O III and CO. We performed a Monte-Carlo (MC) simulation analysis of the goodness of fit in order to estimate the significance of the CO detection. We determine that the statistical analysis prevents a significant detection of CO molecular X-ray absorption features, except for the lines-of-sight toward XTE~J1718-330 and 4U~1636-53. In the case of XTE~J1817-330, this is the first report of the presence of CO along its line-of-sight. Our results reinforce the conclusion that molecules have a minor contribution to the absorption features in the O K-edge spectral region. We estimate a CO column density lower limit to perform a significant detection with XMM-Newton of N(CO) > 6x10^{16} cm-2 for typical exposure times

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

Fe K$α$ Profiles from Simulations of Accreting Black Holes

We present first results from a new technique for the prediction of Fe K$α$ profiles directly from general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations. Data from a GRMHD simulation are processed by a Monte Carlo global radiation transport code, which determines the X-ray flux irradiating the disk surface and the coronal electron temperature self-consistently. With that irradiating flux and the disk's density structure drawn from the simulation, we determine the reprocessed Fe K$α$ emission from photoionization equilibrium and solution of the radiation transfer equation. We produce maps of the surface brightness of Fe K$α$ emission over the disk surface, which---for our example of a $10 M_\odot$, Schwarzschild black hole accreting at $1\%$ the Eddington value---rises steeply one gravitational radius outside the radius of the innermost stable circular orbit and then falls $\propto r^{-2}$ at larger radii. We explain these features of the Fe K$α$ radial surface brightness profile as consequences of the disk's ionization structure and an extended coronal geometry, respectively. We also present the corresponding Fe K$α$ line profiles as would be seen by distant observers at several inclinations. Both the shapes of the line profiles and the equivalent widths of our predicted K$α$ lines are qualitatively similar to those typically observed from accreting black holes. Most importantly, this work represents a direct link between theory and observation: in a fully self-consistent way, we produce observable results---iron fluorescence line profiles---from the theory of black hole accretion with almost no phenomenological assumptions.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

High-Density Effects in X-ray Reflection Models from Accretion Disks

Current models of the spectrum of X-rays reflected from accretion disks around black holes and other compact objects are commonly calculated assuming that the density of the disk atmosphere is constant within several Thomson depths from the irradiated surface. An important simplifying assumption of these models is that the ionization structure of the gas is completely specified by a single, fixed value of the ionization parameter $ξ$, which is the ratio of the incident flux to the gas density. The density is typically fixed at $n_e=10^{15}$ cm$^{-3}$. Motivated by observations, we consider higher densities in the calculation of the reflected spectrum. We show by computing model spectra for $n_e \gtrsim 10^{17}$ cm$^{-3}$ that high-density effects significantly modify reflection spectra. The main effect is to boost the thermal continuum at energies $\lesssim 2$ keV. We discuss the implications of these results for interpreting observations of both AGN and black hole binaries. We also discuss the limitations of our models imposed by the quality of the atomic data currently available.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

Oxygen, neon, and iron X-ray absorption in the local interstellar medium

We present a detailed study of X-ray absorption in the local interstellar medium by analyzing the X-ray spectra of 24 galactic sources obtained with the {\it Chandra} High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer and the {\it XMM-Newton} Reflection Grating Spectrometer. By modeling the continuum with a simple broken power-law and by implementing the new {\tt ISMabs} X-ray absorption model, we have estimated the total H, O, Ne, and Fe column densities towards the observed sources. We have determined the absorbing material distribution as a function of source distance and galactic latitude--longitude. Direct estimates of the fractions of neutrally, singly, and doubly ionized species of O, Ne, and Fe reveal the dominance of the cold component, thus indicating an overall low degree of ionization. Our results are expected to be sensitive to the model used to describe the continuum in all sources.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2015

Hydrodynamic and radiative transfer modeling of X-ray emission from colliding WR winds: WR 140 & the Galactic center

Colliding Wolf-Rayet (WR) winds produce thermal X-ray emission widely observed by X-ray telescopes. In wide WR+O binaries, such as WR 140, the X-ray flux is tied to the orbital phase, and is a direct probe of the winds' properties. In the Galactic center, $\sim$30 WRs orbit the super massive black hole (SMBH) within $\sim$10", leading to a smorgasbord of wind-wind collisions. To model the X-ray emission of WR 140 and the Galactic center, we perform 3D hydrodynamic simulations to trace the complex gaseous flows, and then carry out 3D radiative transfer calculations to compute the variable X-ray spectra. The model WR 140 RXTE light curve matches the data well for all phases except the X-ray minimum associated with periastron, while the model spectra agree with the RXTE hardness ratio and the shape of the Suzaku observations throughout the orbit. The Galactic center model of the Chandra flux and spectral shape match well in the region r$<$3", but the model flux falls off too rapidly beyond this radius.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2015

Atomic Data and Spectral Models for FeII

We present extensive calculations of radiative transition rates and electron impact collision strengths for Fe II. The data sets involve 52 levels from the $3d\,^7$, $3d\,^64s$, and $3d\,^54s^2$ configurations. Computations of $A$-values are carried out with a combination of state-of-the-art multiconfiguration approaches, namely the relativistic Hartree--Fock, Thomas--Fermi--Dirac potential, and Dirac--Fock methods; while the $R$-matrix plus intermediate coupling frame transformation, Breit--Pauli $R$-matrix and Dirac $R$-matrix packages are used to obtain collision strengths. We examine the advantages and shortcomings of each of these methods, and estimate rate uncertainties from the resulting data dispersion. We proceed to construct excitation balance spectral models, and compare the predictions from each data set with observed spectra from various astronomical objects. We are thus able to establish benchmarks in the spectral modeling of [Fe II] emission in the IR and optical regions as well as in the UV Fe II absorption spectra. Finally, we provide diagnostic line ratios and line emissivities for emission spectroscopy as well as column densities for absorption spectroscopy. All atomic data and models are available online and through the AtomPy atomic data curation environment.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2007

Constraints on the Velocity and Spatial Distribution of Helium-like Ions in the Wind of SMC X-1 from Observations with XMM-Newton/RGS

We present here X-ray spectra of the HMXB SMC X-1 obtained in an observation with the XMM observatory beginning before eclipse and ending near the end of eclipse. With the Reflection Grating Spectrometers (RGS) on board XMM, we observe emission lines from hydrogen-like and helium-like ions of nitrogen, oxygen, neon, magnesium, and silicon. Though the resolution of the RGS is sufficient to resolve the helium-like n=2->1 emission into three line components, only one of these components, the intercombination line, is detected in our data. The lack of flux in the forbidden lines of the helium-like triplets is explained by pumping by ultraviolet photons from the B0 star and, from this, we set an upper limit on the distance of the emitting ions from the star. The lack of observable flux in the resonance lines of the helium-like triplets indicate a lack of enhancement due to resonance line scattering and, from this, we derive a new observational constraint on the distribution of the wind in SMC X-1 in velocity and coordinate space. We find that the solid angle subtended by the volume containing the helium-like ions at the neutron star multiplied by the velocity dispersion of the helium-like ions must be less than 4pi steradians km/s. This constraint will be satisfied if the helium-like ions are located primarily in clumps distributed throughout the wind or in a thin layer along the surface of the B0 star.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

A new interpretation of the remarkable X-ray spectrum of the symbiotic star CH Cyg

We have reanalysed the ASCA X-ray spectrum of the bright symbiotic star CH Cyg, which exhibits apparently distinct hard and soft X-ray components. Our analysis demonstrates that the soft X-ray emission can be interpreted as scattering of the hard X-ray component in a photo-ionised medium surrounding the white dwarf. This is in contrast to previous analyses in which the soft X-ray emission was fitted separately and assumed to arise independently of the hard X-ray component. We note the striking similarity between the X-ray spectra of CH Cyg and Seyfert 2 galaxies, which are also believed to exhibit scattering in a photo-ionised medium.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

FUV Spectroscopy of the Dwarf Novae SS Cygni and WX Hydri in Quiescence

We present time-resolved FUV spectra of the dwarf novae SS Cyg and WX Hyi in quiescence from observations using the Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope on the Astro-1 and Astro-2 Space Shuttle missions and the Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope. Both dwarf novae are characterized by blue continua that extend to the Lyman limit punctuated by broad emission lines including transitions of O VI, N V, Si IV, and C IV. The continuum of WX Hyi can be fit with a white dwarf model with physically reasonable model parameters, but neither system actually shows unambiguous signatures of white dwarf emission. The shape and flux of the spectrum of SS Cyg cannot be self-consistently reconciled with a white dwarf providing all of the FUV continuum flux. Combination white dwarf/disk or white dwarf/optically thin plasma models improve the fit but still do not give physically reasonable model parameters for a quiescent dwarf nova. Assuming that the UV emission lines arise from the disk, the line shapes indicate that surface fluxes fall roughly as R^{-2} in both systems. Fits to the double-peaked line profiles in SS Cyg indicate that the FUV line forming region is concentrated closer to the white dwarf than that of the optical lines and provide no evidence of a hole in the inner disk. Although the flux from SS Cyg was relatively constant during all of our observations, WX Hyi showed significant variability during the GHRS observations. In WX Hyi, the line and continuum fluxes are (with the exception of He II) highly correlated, indicating a link between the formation mechanisms of the line and continuum regions.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

Origin of the Soft Excess in X-ray Pulsars

The spectra of many X-ray pulsars show, in addition to a power law, a low-energy component that has often been modeled as a blackbody with kT ~ 0.1 keV. However the physical origin of this soft excess has remained a mystery. We examine a sample of well-studied, bright X-ray pulsars, which have been observed using ROSAT, ASCA, Ginga, RXTE, BeppoSAX, Chandra, and XMM-Newton. In particular we consider the Magellanic Cloud pulsars SMC X-1, LMC X-4, XTE J0111.2-7317, and RX J0059.2-7138 and the Galactic sources Her X-1, 4U 1626-67, Cen X-3, and Vela X-1. We show that the soft excess is a very common if not ubiquitous feature intrinsic to X-ray pulsars. We evaluate several possible mechanisms for the soft emission, using theoretical arguments as well as observational clues such as spectral shapes, eclipses, pulsations of the soft component, and superorbital modulation of the source flux. We find that reprocessing of hard X-rays from the neutron star by the inner region of the accretion disk is the only process that can explain the soft excess in all the pulsars with Lx > 10^38 ergs/s. Other mechanisms, such as emission from diffuse gas in the system, are important in less luminous objects.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

Hydrodynamic Models of Line-Driven Accretion Disk Winds III: Local Ionization Equilibrium

We present time-dependent numerical hydrodynamic models of line-driven accretion disk winds in cataclysmic variable systems and calculate wind mass-loss rates and terminal velocities. The models are 2.5-dimensional, include an energy balance condition with radiative heating and cooling processes, and includes local ionization equilibrium introducing time dependence and spatial dependence on the line radiation force parameters. The radiation field is assumed to originate in an optically thick accretion disk. Wind ion populations are calculated under the asumption that local ionization equilibrium is determined by photoionization and radiative recombination, similar to a photoionized nebula. We find a steady wind flowing from the accretion disk. Radiative heating tends to maintain the temperature in the higher density wind regions near the disk surface, rather than cooling adiabatically. For a disk luminosity Ldisk = Lsun, white dwarf mass Mwd = 0.6 Msun, and white dwarf radii Rwd = 0.01 Rsun, we obtain a wind mass-loss rate of dMwind/dt =4E-12 Msun/yr, and a terminal velocity of ~ 3000 km/s. These results confirm the general velocity and density tructures found in our earlier constant ionization equilibrium adiabatic CV wind models. Further we establish here 2.5D numerical models that can be extended to QSO/AGN winds where the local ionization equilibrium will play a crucial role in the overall dynamics.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Hydrodynamic Models of Line-Driven Accretion Disk Winds II: Adiabatic Winds from Nonisothermal Disks

We present here numerical hydrodynamic simulations of line-driven accretion disk winds in cataclysmic variable systems. We calculate wind mass-loss rate, terminal velocities, and line profiles for CIV (1550 A) for various viewing angles. The models are 2.5-dimensional, include an energy balance condition, and calculate the radiation field as a function of position near an optically thick accretion disk. The model results show that centrifugal forces produce collisions of streamlines in the disk wind which in turn generate an enhanced density region, underlining the necessity of two dimensional calculations where these forces may be represented. For disk luminosity Ldisk = Lsun, white dwarf mass Mwd = 0.6 Msun, and white dwarf radii Rwd = 0.01 Rsun, we obtain a wind mass-loss rate of dMwind/dt = 8.0E-12 Msun/yr, and a terminal velocity of ~3000 km/s. The line profiles we obtain are consistent with observations in their general form, in particular in the maximum absorption at roughly half the terminal velocity for the blue-shifted component, in the magnitudes of the wind velocities implied by the absorption components, in the FWHM of the emission components, and in the strong dependence in inclination angle.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Accretion disk models and their X-ray reflection signatures. I. Local spectra

X-ray illumination of accretion disks is an invaluable diagnostic of the structure of these disks because of the associated iron K$α$ emission. Here we point out that the resulting reflected spectra depend very sensitively on the geometry of the X-ray source, and that this fact can be efficiently used to test these models observationally. In particular, we discuss three different accretion disk geometries: the ``lamppost model'', accretion disks with magnetic flares, and the model with a full corona overlying a cold thin disk. We show that in the case of the lamppost model, unless the X-ray luminosity of the central source is larger than that of the cold disk by a factor of 10 or more, a significant fraction of iron in the ionized skin of the disk is in the hydrogen and helium-like ions. Because these ions have large fluorescence yields, the resulting reflected spectra look strongly ionized, with Equivalent Width (EW) of the line {\em increasing} with X-ray luminosity $L_x$ up to the maximum of $\sim 500$ eV. This situation contrasts to the magnetic flare model, where the large X-ray flux near flares completely ionizes the skin of the disk and thus the resulting spectra appear to be that from a neutral material. The line EW in this model {\em anti-correlates} with X-ray luminosity, and becomes arbitrarily small when $L_x$ is a good fraction of the Eddington luminosity. Finally, in the full corona case, due to the additional pressure and weight of the corona, the gas pressure (and its density) below the corona is always large enough to make the gas very cool and effectively neutral. No highly ionized skin forms in such a model. If the corona is Thomson thin, then EW of the line does not depend on the accretion disk or corona luminosities for the full corona model.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1999

An X-Ray Spectroscopic Study of the SMC X-1/Sk 160 System

We have investigated the composition and distribution of the wind of Sk 160, the supergiant companion of the X-ray star SMC X-1, by comparing an X-ray spectrum of the source, obtained with the ASCA observatory, during an eclipse with the computed spectra of reprocessed radiation from circumstellar matter with various density distributions. We show that the metal abundance in the wind of Sk 160 is no greater than a few tenths of solar, as has been determined for other objects in the Magellanic Clouds. We also show that the observed X-ray spectrum is not consistent with the density distributions of circumstellar matter of the spherically symmetric form derived for line-driven winds, nor with the density distribution derived from a hydrodynamic simulation of the X-ray perturbed and line-driven wind by Blondin & Woo (1995).

astro-ph↗