M. Gilfanov et al., Frequency-resolved spectroscopy of Cyg X-1: fast variability of the reflected emission in the soft state, M NOT R AST, 316(4), 2000, pp. 923-928
Using RXTE/PCA data, we study the fast variability of the reflected emissio
n in the soft spectral state of Cyg X-1 by means of Fourier frequency-resol
ved spectroscopy. We find that the rms amplitude of variations of the refle
cted emission has the same frequency dependence as the primary radiation do
wn to time-scales of less than or similar to 30-50 ms. This might indicate
that the reflected flux reproduces, with nearly flat response, variations o
f the primary emission. Such behaviour differs notably from that of the har
d spectral state, in which variations of the reflected flux are significant
ly suppressed in comparison with the primary emission, on time-scales short
er than similar to 0.5-1 s.
If related to the finite light-crossing time of the reflector, these result
s suggest that the characteristic size of the reflector, presumably an opti
cally thick accretion disc, in the hard spectral state is larger by a facto
r of greater than or similar to 5-10 than in the soft spectral state. Model
ling the transfer function of the disc, we estimate the inner radius of the
accretion disc to be R(in)similar to 100R(g) in the hard state and R(in)le
ss than or similar to 10R(g) in the soft state for a 10-M. black hole.