Thermal/non-thermal model of Cyg X-1 in the soft state

Abstract

We analyze X-ray/gamma-ray observations of Cyg X-1 in the soft state. We find the hybrid thermal/non-thermal model fits the data very well. The significant contribution from the non-thermal electrons is required to account for the observed power law extending without a break to at least 800 keV. The presence of electron-positron pairs in the hot source is unlikely. We propose the geometry in which a cold accretion disk, surrounded by a hot corona, extends down to the last stable orbit. At the observed accretion rate the corona ensures the stability of the cold disk.

4 pages, 3 figures, Proceedings of the Conference "The Active X-ray Sky", Rome, 21-24 October 1997