A grid of relativistic, non-lte accretion disk models for spectral fitting of black hole binaries

Shane W. Davis, Ivan Husbeny

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

94 Scopus citations

Abstract

Self-consistent vertical structure models together with non-LTE radiative transfer should produce spectra from accretion disks around black holes, which differ from multitemperature blackbodies at levels that may be observed. High-resolution, high signal-to-noise observations warrant spectral modeling that both accounts for relativistic effects and treats the physics of radiative transfer in detail. In Davis et al. we presented spectral models that accounted for nonLTE effects, Compton scattering, and the opacities due to ions of abundant metals. Using a modification of this method, we have tabulated spectra for black hole masses typical of Galactic binaries. We make them publicly available for spectral fitting as an XSPEC model. These models represent the most complete realization of standard accretion disk theory to date. Thus, they are well suited both for testing the theory's applicability to observed systems and for constraining properties of the black holes, including their spins.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)530-535
Number of pages6
JournalAstrophysical Journal, Supplement Series
Volume164
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2006

Keywords

  • Accretion, accretion disks
  • Black hole physics
  • Radiative transfer
  • X-rays: binaries

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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