Disc versus wind accretion in X-ray pulsar GX 301-2

GX 301-2 provides a rare opportunity to study both disc and wind accretion in a same target. We report Insight-Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope observations of the spin-up event of GX 301-2 that happened in 2019 and compare with those of wind-fed state. The pulse profiles of the initial rapid spin-up period are dominated by one main peak, while those of the later slow spin-up period are composed of two similar peaks, as those of wind-fed state. These behaviours are confirmed by Fermi/Gamma-ray Burst Monitor data, which also show that during the rapid spin-up period, the main peak increases with luminosity up to 8 x 10(37) ergs(-1), but the faint peak remains almost constant. The absorption column densities during the spin-up period are similar to 1.5 x 10(23)cm(-2), much less than those of wind-fed state at similar luminosity (similar to 9 x 10(23)cm(-2)), supporting the scenario that most of material is condensed into a disc during the spin-up period. We discuss possible differences between disc and wind accretion that may explain the observed different trends of pulse profiles.

Automated summary

The study of GX 301-2 reveals significant differences in pulse profiles, luminosity, and absorption column densities between the rapid spin-up event and wind-fed state. These findings support the hypothesis that most material is condensed into a disc during the spin-up period.