LAXPC/AstroSat Study of ~1 and ~2 mHz Quasi-periodic Oscillations in the Be/X-Ray Binary 4U 0115+63 during Its 2015 Outburst

Abstract

The Be/X-ray binary 4U 0115+63 was observed by the Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC) instrument on AstroSat on 2015 October 24 during the peak of a giant Type II outburst. Prominent intensity oscillations at ~1 and ~2 MHz frequency were detected during the outburst. Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (Nu Star) observations made during the same outburst also show millihertz quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs). Details of the oscillations and their characteristics deduced from LAXPC/AstroSat and Nu Star observations are reported in this paper. Analysis of the archival Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer/Proportional Counter Array data during 2001–2011 also show the presence of millihertz QPOs during some of the outbursts, and details of these QPOs are also reported. Possible models to explain the origin of the millihertz oscillations are examined. Similar QPOs, albeit at higher frequencies, have been reported from other neutron star and black hole sources, and both may have a common origin. Current models to explain the instability in the inner accretion disk causing the intense oscillations are discussed.