Relation between Kilohertz QPOs and Inferred Mass Accretion Rate in 4 LMXBs

Abstract

I summarize the available RXTE data of the 4 low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) and Atoll sources Aql X-1, 4U 1728-34, 4U 1608-52, and 4U 1636-53. I concentrate on the relation between the frequencies of the quasi-periodic oscillations at kilohertz frequencies (kHz QPOs) and the X-ray flux and colors of these sources. In these 4 sources the kHz QPOs are only observed in a narrow range of spectral states (as defined from the X-ray color-color diagrams). I show that despite its complex dependence upon the X-ray flux, the frequency of the kHz QPOs is monotonically related to the position of the source in the color-color diagram. These findings strengthen the idea that in LMXBs the X-ray flux is not a good indicator of the mass accretion rate, $\dot M$, and that the observed changes in the frequency of the kHz QPOs in LMXBs are driven by changes in $\dot M$.