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Title: Monte Carlo Simulator to Study High Mass X-Ray Binary System

Conference ·
OSTI ID:878856

We have developed a Monte Carlo simulator for astrophysical objects, which incorporate the transportation of X-ray photons in photoionized plasma. We applied the code to X-ray spectra of high mass X-ray binaries, Vela X-1 and GX 301-2, obtained with Chandra HETGS. By utilizing the simulator, we have successfully reproduced many emission lines observed from Vela X-1. The ionization structure and the matter distribution in the Vela X-1 system are deduced. For GX 301-2, we have derived the physical parameters of material surrounding the neutron star from fully resolved shape of the Compton shoulder in the iron K{alpha} line.

Research Organization:
SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-76SF00515
OSTI ID:
878856
Report Number(s):
SLAC-PUB-11350; TRN: US0602627
Resource Relation:
Conference: Prepared for 22nd Texas Symposium on Relativistic Astrophysics at Stanford University, Stanford, California, 13-17 Dec 2004
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English