Related papers: Optical spectroscopy of (candidate) ultra-compact …
A short review of ultra-compact binaries, focused on ultra-compact X-ray binaries, is followed by a discussion of recent results of our VLT campaign to obtain optical spectra of (candidate) ultra-compact X-ray binaries. We find evidence for…
We present optical spectra in the range 4600 -- 8600 A for three low-mass X-ray binaries which have been suggested to belong to the class of ultra-compact X-ray binaries based on their X-ray spectra. Our spectra show no evidence for…
We present optical spectroscopy of several (candidate) ultra-compact X-ray binaries (UCXBs) obtained with the ESO VLT and Gemini-North telescopes. In only one of five observed UCXB candidates did we find evidence for H in its spectrum (4U…
Ultracompact X-ray binaries (UCXBs) appear able to sustain accretion onto the compact accretor at rates lower than in wider X-ray binaries. This may be understood by the smaller accretion disks in UCXBs: a lower X-ray luminosity suffices to…
We report on first results of computing synthetic spectra from H/He-poor accretion disks in ultracompact LMXBs. We aim at the determination of the chemical composition of the very low-mass donor star, which is the core of a former C/O white…
We have analyzed the X-ray spectra of all known Ultra Compact X-ray Binaries (UCXBs), with the purpose of constraining the chemical composition of their accretion disk and donor star. Our investigation was focused on the presence (or…
We present spectroscopic X-ray data of two candidate ultra-compact X-ray binaries: 4U~0614+091 and 4U~1543$-$624. We confirm the presence of a broad O VIII Ly$\alpha$ reflection line (at $\approx18\ \AA$) using {\it XMM-Newton} and {\it…
X-ray binaries provide exceptional laboratories for understanding the physics of matter under the most extreme conditions. Until recently, there were few, if any, observational constraints on the circumbinary environments of X-ray binaries…
X-ray binaries, as bright local sources with short variability timescales for a wide range of accretion processes, represent ideal targets for high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy. In this chapter, we present a high-resolution X-ray spectral…
From hot, tenuous gas dominated by Compton processes, to warm, photoionized emission-line regions, to cold, optically thick fluorescing matter, accreting gas flows in X-ray binaries span a huge portion of the parameter space accessible to…
We present initial results from observations of the low-mass X-ray binary EXO 0748-67 with the Reflection Grating Spectrometer on board the XMM-Newton Observatory. The spectra exhibit discrete structure due to absorption and emission from…
A brief overview is given of the observations of accretion disks in X-ray binaries, discussing their geometry, their effect on the rotation period of the accreting object, their optical and X-ray spectra, time variability, and radio…
A review is given on aspects of indirect imaging techniques in X-ray binaries which are used as diagnostics tools for probing the X-ray dominated accretion disc physics. These techniques utilize observed properties such as the emission line…
We report the discovery of several new OB/X-ray accreting binary candidates. These massive systems were found by cross-correlating in position SIMBAD OB star catalogues with the part of the ROSAT all-sky survey located at low galactic…
Non-solar composition of the donor star in ultra-compact X-ray binaries may have a pronounced effect on the fluorescent lines appearing in their spectra due to reprocessing of primary radiation by the accretion disk and the white dwarf…
The variable source OGLE-UCXB-01 is the first OGLE-discovered ultracompact X-ray binary (UCXB). The 12-year long-term OGLE optical photometry of this source shows a period of P= 12.8 min and a fast period decreasing rate Pdot= -9.2E-11 s…
Ultraluminous X-ray binaries have challenged our assumptions of extreme accretion rates in X-ray binaries, and impact other subfields of astronomy, such as cosmology, gravitational wave sources and supernov{\ae}. Our understanding of ULXs…
Compact object binaries with accreting white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes are crucial for understanding accretion physics. In this study, we identify accreting compact object binary candidates in the SRG/eROSITA eRASS1 by combining…
This chapter for the new CUP book "Compact Stellar Sources" reviews the state of work on multi-wavelength observations of high mass and low mass X-ray binaries. Both neutron star and black hole systems are considered for this work.
Physical picture of the emission mechanisms operating in the X-ray binaries was put under question by the simultaneous optical/X-ray observations with high time resolution. The light curves of the two energy bands appeared to be connected…