The Case for Massive, Evolving Winds in Black Hole X-ray Binaries

Abstract

In the last decade, high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy has revolutionized our understanding of the role of accretion disk winds in black hole X-ray binaries. Here I present a brief review of the state of wind studies in black hole X-ray binaries, focusing on recent arguments that disk winds are not only extremely massive, but also highly variable. I show how new and archival observations at high timing and spectral resolution continue to highlight the intricate links between the inner accretion flow, relativistic jets, and accretion disk winds. Finally, I discuss methods to infer the driving mechanisms of observed disk winds and their implications for connections between mass accretion and ejection processes.

Proceedings of the 39th COSPAR Assembly, Mysore, India; Advances in Space Research, accepted. 8 pages, 3 figures. Uses elsarticle.cls. Comments welcome