Title: An Integral Study of Galactic Black Hole States
Proposal ID: 0120105
Subject category: Compact Object
Principal investigator: Lewin
Institute: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
The most fundamental parameters in black hole (candidate) X-ray binary systems, e.g. the mass accretion
rate, the geometry of the accretion flow, the production of radio-bright jets, are tied intimately to the
distinct spectral and timing states observed in these sources. Yet, despite study in many energy bands, the
mechanism(s) driving transitions between these states remains unclear. High-resolution spectroscopy of the
hard-X-ray/soft-gamma-ray band is hitherto unexplored territory, but there are strong indications that the
answer to black hole state transitions may be contained in this domain. We have designed a program that
will bring Integral to bear on the problem of black hole states, supported by a global, simultaneous,
multi-wavelength effort which spans the radio, IR, optical, and soft X-ray bands, and by a team of
experienced observers and theorists.