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On the nature of ultra-luminous X-ray sources from optical/IR measurements

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2006

Mark Cropper ,
Chris Copperwheat ,
Roberto Soria  and
Kinwah Wu
Mark Cropper
Affiliation:
Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6NT, UK
Chris Copperwheat
Affiliation:
Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6NT, UK
Roberto Soria
Affiliation:
Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6NT, UK Centre for Astrophysics, Harvard Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, 60 Garden St, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Kinwah Wu
Affiliation:
Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6NT, UK
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Abstract

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We present a model for the prediction of the optical/infra-red emission from ULXs. In the model, ULXs are binary systems with accretion taking place through Roche lobe overflow. We show that irradiation effects and presence of an accretion disk significantly modify the optical/infrared flux compared to single stars, and also that the system orientation is important. We include additional constraints from the mass transfer rate to constrain the parameters of the donor star, and to a lesser extent the mass of the BH. We apply the model to fit photometric data for several ULX counterparts. We find that most donor stars are of spectral type B and are older and less massive than reported elsewhere, but that no late-type donors are admissible. The degeneracy of the acceptable parameter space will be significantly reduced with observations over a wider spectral range, and if time-resolved data become available.

Keywords

Black hole physics – X-rays: galaxies – X-rays: stars – accretionaccretion discs
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 2 , Symposium S238: Black Holes from Stars to Galaxies – Across the Range of Masses , August 2006 , pp. 251 - 254
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2007

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