Modeling the X-ray Contribution of X-ray Binary Jets

Abstract

Astrophysical jets exist in both XRBs and AGN, and seem to share common features, particularly in the radio. While AGN jets are known to emit X-rays, the situation for XRB jets is not so clear. Radio jets have been resolved in several XRBs in the low/hard state, establishing that some form of outflow is routinely present in this state. Interestingly, the flat-to-inverted radio synchrotron emission associated with these outflows strongly correlates with the X-ray emission in several sources, suggesting that the jet plasma plays a role at higher frequencies. In this same state, there is increasing evidence for a turnover in the IR/optical where the flat-to-inverted spectrum seems to connect to an optically thin component extending into the X-rays. We discuss how jet synchrotron emission is likely to contribute to the X-rays, in addition to inverse Compton up-scattering, providing a natural explanation for these correlations and the turnover in the IR/optical band. We present model parameters for fits to several sources, and address some common misconceptions about the jet model.

4 pages, 1 Table, conference proceedings for "The Physics of Relativistic Jets in the Chandra and XMM Era, Bologna, 2002", Eds. G. Brunetti, D. E. Harris, R. M. Sambruna & G. Setti