An ionized accretion disk in Cygnus X-1

Abstract

Results of an analysis of archival Exosat and HEAO 1-A2 observations of Cyg X-1 are presented. It is found, in agreement with Ebisawa (1991), that the X-ray spectrum of Cyg X-1 exhibits a 'high-energy excess' above 8 keV, similar to that seen in Ginga spectra of AGN. It is shown, on the basis of a likelihood ratio test, that the data are significantly better fit by a Compton reflection model than by a partial covering model. Even with the energy resolution of the Exosat GSPC, it is found that the derived iron line energy and shape are very dependent on the continuum model used. The best-fit temperature for a Suniaev-Titarchuk Comptonization model is found to be significantly larger than that found in previous analyses based primarily on data in the 30-140 keV band. This suggests that the 5-50 keV continuum is not well fit by the same spectrum form applicable at high energies and that a multiple temperature thermal Compton model is necessary to fit the broadband data.