Dense, multi-phase accretion disk atmosphere in the low-luminosity state of black hole transientV4641 Sgr

Abstract

We present soft X-ray spectroscopy of the black-hole X-ray binary V4641~Sgr with the \textit{XMM-Newton} Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS). The RGS spectrum shows narrow emission features from N\,\textsc{vi--vii} and O\,\textsc{vii--viii} superimposed on a partially covered disk blackbody continuum. A blind Gaussian search confirms the presence of significant lines at the expected rest wavelengths. He-like triplet ratios (high $G$, low $R$) and full photoionization modelling both indicate a dense, photoionized plasma. Small redshifted velocities of $\sim 540$--$720\mathrm{km}{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$ are suggested, which are consistent with quasi-static or slowly flowing gas away from the observer after accounting for systematics. Photoionization modelling requires two \textsc{xstar} components with an intermediate ionization parameter ($\log \hat{I}¾\simeq 3.1$) and a low ionization parameter ($\log \hat{I}¾\simeq 0.36$), respectively. The simultaneous EPIC-pn spectrum suggests highly ionized Fe emission structures, hinting at an additional, more highly ionized component. These results imply the existence of a radially extended, multiphase, and dense disk atmosphere in the source. We compare the source with other X-ray binaries showing similar emission lines. V4641~Sgr shares a similarly high inclination with other sources; however, the presence of low ionization emission lines distinguishes it from the rest.

Accepted for publication in MNRAS