The 67 Hz feature in the black hole candidate GRS 1915+105 as a possible "diskoseismic" mode

  • Michael A. Nowak
  • , Robert V. Wagoner
  • , Mitchell C. Begelman
  • , Dana E. Lehr

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

97 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer has made feasible for the first time the search for high-frequency (≳100 Hz) periodic features in black hole candidate (BHC) systems. Such a feature, with a 67 Hz frequency, recently has been discovered in the BHC GRS 1915+105 (Morgan, Remillard, & Greiner). This feature is weak (rms variability ∼0.3%-1.6%), stable in frequency (to within ∼2 Hz) despite appreciable luminosity fluctuations, and narrow (quality factor Q ∼ 20). Several of these properties are what one expects for a "diskoseismic" g-mode in an accretion disk about a 10.6 M· (nonrotating) to 36.3 M0 (maximally rotating) black hole (if we are observing the fundamental-mode frequency). We explore this possibility by considering the expected luminosity modulation, as well as possible excitation and growth mechanisms-including turbulent excitation, damping, and "negative" radiation damping. We conclude that a diskoseismic interpretation of the observations is viable.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)L91-L94
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume477
Issue number2 PART II
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997

Keywords

  • Black hole physics
  • X-rays: stars

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