On the cyclotron absorption line and evidence of the spectral transition in SMC X-2 during 2022 giant outburst

We report comprehensive spectral and temporal properties of the Be/X-ray binary pulsar SMC X-2 using X-ray observations during the 2015 and 2022 outbursts. The pulse profile of the pulsar is unique and strongly luminosity dependent. It evolves from a broad-humped into a double-peaked profile above luminosity 3 x 10(38) erg s(-1). The pulse fraction of the pulsar is found to be a linear function of luminosity as well as energy. We also studied the spectral evolution of the source during the latest 2022 outburst with NICER. The observed photon index shows a negative and positive correlation below and above the critical luminosity, respectively, suggesting evidence of spectral transition from the sub-critical to supercritical regime. The broad-band spectroscopy of four sets of NuSTAR and XRT/NICER data from both outbursts can be described using a cut-off power-law model with a blackbody component. In addition to the 6.4 keV iron fluorescence line, an absorption-like feature is clearly detected in the spectra. The cyclotron line energy observed during the 2015 outburst is below 29.5 keV, however latest estimates in the 2022 outburst suggest a value of 31.5 keV. Moreover, an increase of 3.4 keV is detected in the cyclotron line energy at equal levels of luminosity observed in 2022 with respect to 2015. The observed cyclotron line energy variation is explored in terms of accretion induced screening mechanism or geometrical variation in line forming region.

Automated summary

We present the spectral and temporal properties of the Be/X-ray binary pulsar SMC X-2 based on X-ray observations during the 2015 and 2022 outbursts. The pulse profile of the pulsar is luminosity dependent, transitioning from a broad-humped to a double-peaked profile above a certain luminosity. The pulse fraction and energy of the pulsar show a linear correlation. In addition, we observe spectral evolution during the latest outburst, suggesting a transition from sub-critical to supercritical regime.