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Yu-Jing Xu

Publications and source records attributed to Yu-Jing Xu.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Searching for Black Hole Candidates in Quiescence by Using Multi-band Observations in Globular Cluster M22 (NGC6656)

We present a multi-wavelength investigation of radio sources in the globular cluster M22 (NGC6656) using VLA, HST, and Chandra observations. Among the eight identified counterparts, we highlight VLA22 as the most promising stellar-mass black hole (BH) candidate. Its radio and X-ray luminosities follow the established $L_{R}-L_{X}$ correlation for quiescent black hole low-mass X-ray binaries (BH-LMXBs), while its moderately steep radio spectrum and X-ray spectral hardening further support this classification. Analysis of two potential optical counterparts-a bright main-sequence star and a faint subgiant/red giant-suggests a binary system with a relatively long orbital period. The discovery of VLA22 consistent with recent retention models that stellar-mass BH can be retained within globular clusters over Hubble timescales. Additionally, VLA19 exhibits a characteristically inverted radio spectrum ($\alpha = 0.79 \pm 0.39, S_\nu \propto \nu^\alpha$) indicative of a compact jet, while VLA40 also aligns with the BH $L_{R}-L_{X}$ track, though both require further observations to definitively confirm their nature.

astro-ph.HE

X-ray Quasi-Periodic Oscillations in Active Galactic Nuclei and Their Implications for the Changing Look Phenomenon

X-ray timing of active galactic nuclei (AGN) provides a unique probe of gas accretion onto supermassive black holes (SMBHs). Quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs), which trace gas dynamics in the strongly curved spacetime around SMBHs, are rare in AGN. These signals often are analogs of high-frequency QPOs occasionally seen in some black-hole X-ray binaries, and their scarcity in AGN can partly be attributed to the low frequencies expected for typical SMBH masses. Intriguingly, robust X-ray QPO detections in SMBH systems have so far been reported only in narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) and tidal disruption events (TDEs). Here we report the discovery of a QPO candidate during the 2018 outburst of the changing-look AGN (CL-AGN) NGC 1566. Numerical simulations indicate that the disk epicyclic oscillations responsible for high-frequency QPOs are damped by magnetohydrodynamic turbulence unless the accretion flow is misaligned and/or eccentric. In TDEs, the stellar debris stream is naturally misaligned with the SMBH spin, while NLS1s may host misaligned disks due to their youth. Motivated by the QPO candidate in NGC 1566, we propose that CL-AGN accretion is also misaligned -- potentially fueled by captured, free-falling broad-line region clouds. This model naturally explains why CL-AGN transition timescales are much shorter than the standard disk viscous timescale. This picture can be tested by searching for QPOs or quasi-periodic eruptions in other CL-AGN.

astro-ph.HE

A statistical study of type II outbursts of XRPs: Brighter accreting pulsars rotate faster

X-ray pulsars (XRPs) consist of a magnetized neutron star (NS) and an optical donor star. The NS accretes matter from the donor star producing pulsed X-ray emission. In most cases the donor stars are Be stars, and accretion is episodic, that is, the NSs are generally X-ray dim, but occasionally experience outbursts. Here, we carry out a statistical study with the X-ray monitoring data, and obtain strong correlations between the spin periods of the NSs and the outburst parameters for the first time. We show that XRPs containing faster rotating NSs tend to display more violent eruptions. In addition, pulsating ultraluminous X-ray sources in nearby galaxies follow the similar relationship. We demonstrate that most of these systems are close to the spin equilibrium, and that brighter pulsars have acquired more angular momentum by accreting matter from their companion stars, resulting in faster rotating NSs.

astro-ph.HE

A new X-ray census of rotation powered pulsars

To date, over 4000 pulsars have been detected. In this study, we identify 231 X-ray counterparts of Australia Telescope National Facility (ATNF) pulsars by performing a spatial cross match across the Chandra, XMM-Newton observational catalogs. This dataset represents the largest sample of X-ray counterparts ever compiled, including 98 normal pulsars (NPs) and 133 millisecond pulsars (MSPs). Based on this significantly expanded sample, we re-establish the correlation between X-ray luminosity and spin-down power, given by $L_{\rm X} \propto \dot{E}^{0.85\pm0.05}$ across the whole X-ray band. The strong correlation is also observed in hard X-ray band, while in soft X-ray band there is no significant correlation. Furthermore, $L_{\rm X}$ shows a strong correlation with spin period and characteristic age for NPs. For the first time, we observe a strongly positive correlation between $L_{\rm X}$ and the light cylinder magnetic field ($B_{\rm lc}$) for MSPs, with both NPs and MSPs following the relationship $L_{\rm X} \propto B_{\rm lc}^{1.14}$, consistent with the outer-gap model of pulsars that explains the mechanism of X-ray emission. Additionally, we investigate potential X-ray counterparts for Galactic Plane Pulsar Snapshot pulsars, finding a lower likelihood of detection compared to ATNF pulsars.

astro-ph.HE