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Spectral variability in Cygnus X-3 |
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| Authors: | L Hjalmarsdotter A A Zdziarski A Szostek D C Hannikainen |
| Institution: | Observatory, PO Box 14, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland;Stockholm Observatory, Department of Astronomy, AlbaNova University Centre, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;Centrum Astronomiczne im. M. Kopernika, Bartycka 18, 00-716 Warszawa, Poland;Astronomical Observatory, Jagiellonian University, Orla 171, 30-244 Kraków, Poland;Metsähovi Radio Observatory, Helsinki University of Technology TKK, Metsähovintie 114, FI-02540 Kylmälä, Finland |
| Abstract: | We model the broad-band X-ray spectrum of Cyg X-3 in all states displayed by this source as observed by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer . From our models, we derive for the first time unabsorbed spectral shapes and luminosities for the full range of spectral states. We interpret the unabsorbed spectra in terms of Comptonization by a hybrid electron distribution and strong Compton reflection. We study the spectral evolution and compare with other black hole as well as neutron star sources. We show that a neutron star accretor is not consistent with the spectral evolution as a function of L |
| Keywords: | radiation mechanisms: non-thermal stars: individual: Cyg X-3 gamma-rays: observations X-rays: binaries X-rays: general X-rays: stars |