Spectro-timing origin of large amplitude X-ray variability in GRS 1915+105 using AstroSat/LAXPC and SXT

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Spectro-timing origin of large amplitude X-ray variability in GRS 1915+105 using AstroSat/LAXPC and SXT

Authors

Shree Suman IIT Hyderabad, Shuvajit Khatua RRI Bangalore, Vishal Jadoliya IIT Hyderabad, Prathamesh Narayan Gupta DTU New Delhi, Mayukh Pahari IIT Hyderabad

Abstract

The origin of the large-amplitude, quasi-periodic X-ray flux variations in several classes of the Galactic microquasar GRS~1915+105 remains unresolved. We address this issue through flux-resolved, broadband (0.8-20 keV) spectral modelling and simultaneous covariance spectral analysis during two $κ$ and two $ω$ class observations using \textit{AstroSat}/SXT and LAXPC. The lightcurves show strong, quasi-periodic oscillations involving rapid transitions between bright bursts and deep dips on timescales of a few tens of seconds. Flux-resolved spectroscopy indicates that high-flux intervals in both classes are dominated by a hot, optically thick accretion disc with steep Comptonized emission, whereas low-flux intervals correspond to a cooler or partially recessed disc and a harder coronal continuum. These transitions involve a systematic 1-2 keV drop in disc temperature and a pronounced hardening of the Comptonized component, with flux reductions of up to a factor of five. Using covariance spectra across 0.015-5 Hz, we show that the rapid coherent variability arises almost entirely from the disc, which exhibits strong energy-dependent variations, while the Comptonized component contributes minimally. The combined results suggest that radiation-pressure-driven structural changes in the disc, with a slower coronal response, produce the observed oscillations, consistent with cyclic disc evacuation and refilling in the $κ$ and $ω$ classes.

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