Spectral variability in Cygnus X-3

Abstract

We model the broad-band X-ray spectrum of Cyg X-3 in all states displayed by this source as observed by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer. From our models, we derive for the first time unabsorbed spectral shapes and luminosities for the full range of spectral states. We interpret the unabsorbed spectra in terms of Comptonization by a hybrid electron distribution and strong Compton reflection. We study the spectral evolution and compare with other black hole as well as neutron star sources. We show that a neutron star accretor is not consistent with the spectral evolution as a function of Ledd and especially not with the transition to a hard state. Our results point to the compact object in Cyg X-3 being a massive, ~30 Msun black hole.

14 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

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• Energy-dependent orbital modulation of X-rays and constraints on emission of the jet in Cyg X-3
• Absorption of high-energy gamma rays in Cygnus X-3
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• AGILE detection of Cygnus X-3 γ-ray active states during the period mid-2009/mid-2010
• Single-dish and VLBI observations of Cygnus X-3 during the 2016 giant flare episode
• The radio/X-ray correlation in Cyg X-3 and the nature of its hard spectral state
• The INTEGRAL view on Black Hole X-ray Binaries
• New Evidence for a Black Hole in the Compact Binary Cygnus X-3
• 2006 May-July Major Radio Flare episodes in Cygnus X-3: spectro-timing analysis of the X-ray data
• Photoionization Emission Models for the Cyg X-3 X-ray Spectrum
• Ultrasoft state of microquasar Cygnus X-3: X-ray polarimetry reveals the geometry of astronomical puzzle
• The aperiodic broad-band X-ray variability of Cygnus X-3
• On the origin of black hole spin in high-mass black hole binaries: Cygnus X-1
• Wind suppression by X-rays in Cygnus X-3
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• INTEGRAL discovery of a high-energy tail in the microquasar Cygnus X-3
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• Gamma-rays from anisotropic IC e^{\pm} pair cascades in microquasars: Application to Cyg X-3
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• Investigating the mini and giant radio flare episodes of Cygnus X-3
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• Rapid spectral transition of the black hole binary V404 Cyg
• VLBI Observation of Microquasar Cyg X-3 during an X-ray State Transition from Soft to Hard in the 2007 May-June Flare
• State-Dependent Orbital Modulation of X-rays in CYG X-3
• Broadband Emission Spectra from the Cygnus X-3 Jet in the Soft Spectral State
• Spectral Analysis of Cyg X-3 using simultaneous AstroSat and Insight-HXMT Observations
• Secrets behind the RXTE/ASM light curve of Cyg X-3
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• The constraining power of X-ray polarimetry: detailed structure of the intrabinary bow shock in Cygnus X-3