Discovery of microsecond time lags in kilohertz QPOs

  • B. A. Vaughan
  • , M. Van Der Klis
  • , M. Medez
  • , J. Van Paradijs
  • , R. A.D. Wljnands
  • , W. H.G. Lewin
  • , F. K. Lamb
  • , D. Psaltis
  • , E. Kuulkers
  • , T. Oosterbroek

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

Using the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer, we have measured ~27 /us time delays in 830 Hz quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) between 4-6 and 11-17 keV in 4U 1608-52, with high-energy photons lagging low-energy photons, and found upper limits to the time delays of 45 jus between 2-6.5 and 6.5-67 keV in ~730 Hz QPOs in 4U 0614+091 and 30 /is between 8.7-12.4 and 12.4-67 keV in ∼870 Hz QPOs in 4U 1636-53. We also find that the cross-coherence function between QPOs at different energies is greater than 0.85 with 95% confidence in 4U 1608-52 and 4U 1636-53. If Compton upscattering of low-energy X-rays in a region with an optical depth of a few is responsible for the delays, then the Compton upscattering region is between a few kilometers and a few tens of kilometers in size.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)L115-L118
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume483
Issue number2 PART II
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Accretion, accretion disks
  • X-rays: Stars

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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