X-ray Spectroscopy of Bursts from SGR 1806-20 with RXTE

Abstract

We report on new RXTE X-ray spectral analysis of bursts from SGR 1806-20, the most prolific SGR source known. Previous studies of bursts from this source revealed a remarkable lack of spectral variability both in single bursts as well as from burst to burst. We present here some of the first evidence for significant spectral evolution within SGR bursts. We find that optically thin thermal bremsstrahlung (OTTB) spectra including photoelectric absorption provide the best fits to most bursts, however, other models (power law, Band GRB) can also produce statistically acceptable fits. We confirm the existence of a rolloff in the photon number spectrum below 5 keV.

5 pages, 5 figures, LaTeX AIP Proceedings article, to appear in the proceedings of the 4th BATSE Gamma-Ray burst workshop in Hunstville, AL

Cited by in corpus (8)

• The Giant Flare of 1998 August 27 from SGR 1900+14: II. Radiative Mechanism and Physical Constraints on the Source
• An Unusual Burst from Soft Gamma Repeater SGR 1900+14: Comparisons with Giant Flares and Implications for the Magnetar Model
• A Comprehensive Study of Short Bursts from SGR 1806-20 and SGR 1900+14 Detected by HETE-2
• Broad band X-ray spectra of short bursts from SGR 1900+14
• Discovery of a 6.4 keV Emission Line in a Burst from SGR 1900+14
• Spectral Evolution of weak bursts from SGR 1806-20 observed with INTEGRAL
• Hard Burst Emission from the Soft Gamma Repeater SGR 1900+14
• Radiation spectra and polarization in magnetar bursts