arXiv subjects

Xufeng Zhu

Publications and source records attributed to Xufeng Zhu.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Rapid Variability and Broadband Spectral Modeling in the Flaring Activity of BL Lacertae

We report a multi-wavelength study of two flaring episodes of the blazar BL Lacertae during MJD 60500-60800 (9 July 2024 - 5 May 2025). The source reached a daily-averaged $γ$-ray flux of $(1.03 \pm 0.05) \times 10^{-5} \, \mathrm{ph \, cm^{-2} \, s^{-1}}$ ($E > 100$ MeV) on MJD 60588 (5 October 2024). Using orbit-binned data from the Large Area Telescope (LAT) onboard the \textit{Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope}, we identify a minimum flux halving timescale of $τ= 1.33 \pm 0.29$ hr. This constrains the upper limit on the $γ$-ray emitting region size to $R \le 2.0 \times 10^{15}$ cm, as well as its distance from the central supermassive black hole to $R_\mathrm{H} \le 5.9 \times 10^{16}$ cm, assuming a Doppler factor of $δ= 14.8$ derived from the spectral energy distribution (SED) modeling. We find tentative evidence for sub-minute $γ$-ray variability with a minimum doubling time of $0.7 \pm 0.2$ min ($p$-value = 0.03). This may originate from an extremely compact region with a size of $R \le 1.8 \times 10^{13}$ cm, suggesting that the emission arises from magnetohydrodynamic substructures, such as plasmoids within a magnetic reconnection zone. Spectral analysis reveals a significant ``softer-when-brighter'' trend ($r = 0.96, p = 4.5 \times 10^{-4}$) during the minute-scale flare peaks, indicating a complex interplay between particle acceleration and radiative cooling. The SED is reproduced using a one-zone leptonic model, in which synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) and external Compton (EC) scattering effectively account for the high-energy emissions. The reduced magnetic field strengths and hard electron injection spectral indices observed during the flaring states suggest enhanced particle acceleration efficiency, possibly associated with relativistic magnetic reconnection.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

The Intermediate-Mass Black Hole Reverberation Mapping Project: Stable Optical Continuum Lags of an IMBH in the Dwarf Galaxy NGC 4395 Over Years

NGC 4395 is a nearby dwarf spiral galaxy hosting an active galactic nucleus (AGN) powered by an intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH, $M_{\rm BH} \sim 10^{4}$--$10^{5}\,M_\odot$). Recent optical continuum reverberation mapping studies have suggested potential lag variations between different epochs, offering important clues to the physical mechanisms governing variability in the vicinity of the central black hole. We present continuous intranight multi-band photometric monitoring of NGC 4395 based on five nights of observations, including three nights from the Faulkes Telescope North (two of which are archival) and two new nights from Mephisto. This represents the first systematic investigation of optical continuum lag stability in a galaxy hosting a robustly confirmed IMBH. By applying difference-imaging techniques to both the new observations and the reprocessed archival data, we detect statistically significant optical inter-band lags of $\sim 5$--15 minutes, which increase monotonically with increasing wavelength. No obvious $u$-band lag excess is observed, implying a negligible fractional contribution from diffuse continuum (DC) emission to the optical continuum, in agreement with our spectral decomposition results. The inter-band lags remain stable over multi-year baselines. We suggest that this long-term lag stability may be related to the minor DC contribution, a relatively steady disk-corona structure, and the unusually high X-ray-to-optical luminosity ratio characteristic of low-luminosity AGNs, which likely allows X-ray reprocessing to dominate over other potential variability mechanisms. Future facilities like Gemini/SCORPIO, with its simultaneous optical-to-near-infrared coverage, will be ideally suited to play an important role in advancing this field.

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arXiv2025

SN 2024aecx: A double-peaked rapidly evolving Type IIb supernova at 11 Mpc

We present the results of low-resolution spectroscopic and densely sampled multi-band photometric follow-up of supernova (SN) 2024aecx. The SN was discovered in the spiral galaxy NGC 3521 (distance $\sim$11 Mpc) within a day after the explosion. The early spectra of SN 2024aecx show a weak signature of hydrogen lines, which disappeared in $\sim$30 days after the explosion. Light curves in all bands show a distinct feature of two peaks, and the first peak is likely due to the shock cooling emission. The early phase light curve evolution of SN 2024aecx has similarity with the typical Type IIb events, but the decay rate in different bands (e.g., $\rm Δm_{15}$ = 1.60 $\pm$ 0.05 mag, $g$-band) is significantly faster in the post-peak phase. It attained the secondary maximum in $\sim$19 days ($g$-band) with a peak absolute magnitude of M$_{g}$ = -17.94 $\pm$ 0.10 mag. SN 2024aecx colors trend redder in early epochs ($<$8 days), followed by a duration in which it grows bluer, then later gets redder again $>$20 days after explosion. The analytical model fitting to the light curves reveals an envelope mass and progenitor radii in the range of $\sim$0.03 - 0.24 $M_\odot$ and $\sim$169 - 200 $R_\odot$, respectively. Modeling of the pseudo-bolometric light curve suggests that synthesized $^{56}$Ni in the explosion was $\sim$0.15 M$_{\odot}$ with ejecta mass and kinetic energy of $\sim$0.7 M$_{\odot}$ and $\sim$0.16 $\times$ 10$^{51}$ erg, respectively. The observational properties and modeling indicate that the SN~2024aecx progenitor belongs to the extended progenitor category.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Multiwavelength Analysis of GRB 250101A: From Gamma-ray Prompt Emission to Optical Afterglow

The interaction between the relativistic jet and the circumburst medium produces a multiwavelength afterglow of a gamma-ray burst (GRBs). In this work, we present multiwavelength properties of GRB~250101A based on the observations of Swift, Fermi and Mephisto. The spectral analysis of Swift/BAT and Fermi/GBM reveals a soft prompt spectrum with a low-energy photon index of $-1.18$ and a peak energy of 33 keV, and the isotropic energy is $1.4\times10^{52}~{\rm erg}$. The prompt emission of GRB 250101A aligns with Type II GRBs in the Amati relation. Meanwhile, our analysis indicates that GRB 250101A is an X-ray-rich or X-ray-dominated GRB, with intrinsic properties suggesting that it is relatively softer than most classical GRBs. Optical observation with Mephisto, beginning 197 s post-trigger, shows a single power-law decay in $uvgriz$ bands, with $F_{ν,\mathrm{obs}} \propto t^{-0.76} ν^{-1.21}$. The observed spectral index significantly exceeds theoretical predictions under standard afterglow models, suggesting a color excess of $\sim0.216$ mag. However, combining X-ray and optical afterglow, we find that GRB 250101A is more likely a ``normal burst'' rather than an ``optical-dark burst'', and the dust extinction effect plays an important role in the optical blue bands. Furthermore, there is a structural change at $T_0+2924$ s in the optical light curve, indicating a density drop of $\sim50$ \% in the interstellar medium at a distance of $\sim0.13~{\rm pc}$. Our analysis shows that this GRB clearly shows some unique characteristics in its observed X-ray rich prompt emission as well as the circumburst environment, implying a special progenitor.

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arXiv2024

Early-phase simultaneous multiband observations of the Type II supernova SN 2024ggi with Mephisto

We present early-phase good-cadence (hour-to-day) simultaneous multiband ($ugi$ and $vrz$ bands) imaging of the nearby supernova SN~2024ggi, which exploded in the nearby galaxy, NGC 3621. A quick follow-up was conducted within less than a day after the explosion and continued $\sim$23 days. The $uvg$ band light curves display a rapid rise ($\sim$1.4 mag day$^{-1}$) to maximum in $\sim$4 days and absolute magnitude $M_{g}\sim$--17.75 mag. The post-peak decay rate in redder bands is $\sim$0.01 mag day$^{-1}$. Different colors (e.g., $u-g$ and $v-r$) of SN~2024ggi are slightly redder than SN 2023ixf. A significant rise ($\sim$12.5 kK) in black-body temperature (optical) was noticed within $\sim$2 days after the explosion, which successively decreased, indicating shock break out inside a dense circumstellar medium (CSM) surrounding the progenitor. Using semianalytical modeling, the ejecta mass and progenitor radius were estimated as 1.2 $M_\odot$ and $\sim$550 $R_\odot$. The archival deep images ($g,r,i and z$ bands) from the Dark Energy Camera Legacy Survey were examined, and a possible progenitor was detected in each band ($\sim$22--22.5 mag) and had a mass range of 14--17 $M_\odot$.

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