BeppoSAX survey of Be/X-ray binary candidates

Abstract

We present a BeppoSAX survey of five Be/X-ray binary candidates. We report on the identification of two of them, HD 110432 and HD 141926, as low luminosity Be/X-ray binaries. For HD 110432 we report on the detection of a pulsation period of ~14 ks. Because the luminosity of these sources is low and their spectra do not require non-thermal emission models, these systems are good Be+White Dwarf candidates. If the pulsation period for HD 110432 is confirmed, this system would be the most firm Be+WD candidate found up to date. The other three objects HD 65663, HD 249179 and BD+53 2262 did not show detectable X-ray emission. We argue that, while the properties of BD+53 2262 are still consistent with a quiescent Be+Neutron Star scenario, the lack of detection for the other two objects implies that they are most probably not X-ray binaries.