Search for the Optical Counterpart of Einstein Probe Discovered Fast X-ray Transients from Lulin Observatory

Abstract

The launch of the Einstein Probe (EP) mission has revolutionized the detection and follow-up observations of fast X-ray transients (FXTs) by providing prompt and timely access to their precise localizations. In the first year of its operation, the EP-mission reports the discovery of 72 high signal-to-noise FXTs. Subjected to the visibility in the sky and weather conditions, we search for the optical counterparts of 42 EP-discovered FXTs from the Lulin Observatory. We successfully detect the optical counterparts of 12 FXTs, and five of those are first discovered by us from the Lulin Observatory. We find that the optical counterparts are generally faint ($r>20$\,mag) and decline rapidly ($>0.5$\,mag per day). We also find that 12 out of 42 FXTs show direct evidence of their association with Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) through significant temporal and spatial overlapping. Furthermore, the luminosities and redshifts of FXTs with confirmed optical counterparts in our observations are fully consistent with the faintest end of the GRB population. However, the non-detection of any associated optical counterpart with a significant fraction of FXTs suggests that EP FXTs are likely a subset of so-called `dark FXTs', similar to `dark GRBs'. Additionally, the luminosities of {\bf two FXTs with confirmed redshifts} are also consistent with jetted tidal disruption events (TDEs). However, we find that the optical luminosities of FXTs differ significantly from typical supernova shock breakout or kilonova emissions. Thus, we conclude that a significant fraction of EP-discovered FXTs are associated with events having relativistic jets; either a GRB or a jetted TDE.

Accepted for publication in ApJS; now matches the accepted version. Includes a section discussing the 'dark' nature of FXTs

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Cited by in corpus (1)

• An Archival Optical Counterpart Search for Extragalactic Fast X-Ray Transients Discovered by Einstein Probe