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Powerful ionized accretion disk winds are often observed during episodic outbursts in Galactic black hole transients. Among those X-ray absorbers, Fe xxvi doublet structure (Lyα1+Lyα2 with ∼20 eV apart) has a unique potential to better probe the underlying physical nature of the wind, i.e., density and kinematics. We demonstrate, based on a physically motivated magnetic disk wind scenario of a stratified structure in density and velocity, that the doublet line profile can be effectively utilized as a diagnostic to measure wind density and associated velocity dispersion (due to thermal turbulence and/or dynamical shear motion in winds). Our simulated doublet spectra with postprocess radiative transfer calculations indicate that the profile can be (1) broad with a single peak for higher-velocity dispersion (≳5000 km s−1), (2) a standard shape with 1:2 canonical flux ratio for moderate dispersion (∼1000–5000 km s−1), or (3) double-peaked with its flux ratio approaching 1:1 for lower-velocity dispersion (≲1000 km s−1) in an optically thin regime, allowing various line shapes. Such a diversity in doublet profiles is indeed unambiguously seen in recent observations with XRISM/Resolve at microcalorimeter resolution. We show that some implications inferred from the model will help constrain the local wind physics where Fe xxvi is predominantly produced in a large-scale, stratified wind.

We study the transient black hole binary MAXI J1631–479 observed simultaneously by NICER and NuSTAR in its soft spectral state. Its puzzling feature is the presence of a strong and broad Fe K line, while the continuum includes a prominent disk blackbody and a very weak power-law tail. The irradiation of the disk by a power-law spectrum fitting the tail is far too weak to explain the strong line. Previous proposals included the idea that the Fe K emission is intrinsic to the disk. Here, we propose that the strong line can be explained by the irradiation of the disk by photons from Comptonization of the disk blackbody by coronal electrons. One crucial effect is that the shape of the irradiating spectrum at ≲10 keV reflects that of the disk blackbody; it is strongly curved and has a higher flux than what would be produced by a fit with a power-law irradiation. The other effect is a relativistic enhancement of the backscattered coronal flux incident on the disk. Both effects together can account for the line, although the latter is modeled only quantitatively. While this result is independent of the physical model used for disk emission, the fitted spin depends heavily on that model. When employing a Kerr disk model for a thin disk with color correction, the fitted spin appears retrograde, rare for a Roche-lobe overflow binary. A model that accounts for both the finite thickness of the disk and radiative transfer yields a spin of a* ≈ 0.8–0.9.

A recent report on the detection of very-high-energy gamma rays from V4641 Sagittarii (V4641 Sgr) up to ≈0.8 PeV has made it the second confirmed “PeVatron” microquasar. Here we report on the observation of V4641 Sgr with X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) in 2024 September. Thanks to the large field of view and low background, the CCD imager Xtend successfully detected for the first time X-ray extended emission around V4641 Sgr with a significance of ≳4.5σ and >10σ based on our imaging and spectral analysis, respectively. The spatial extent is estimated to have a radius of 7′ ± 3′ (13 ± 5 pc at a distance of 6.2 kpc) assuming a Gaussian-like radial distribution, which suggests that the particle acceleration site is within ~10 pc of the microquasar. If the X-ray morphology traces the diffusion of accelerated electrons, this spatial extent can be explained by either an enhanced magnetic field (∼80 μG) or a suppressed diffusion coefficient (∼1027 cm2 s−1 at 100 TeV). The integrated X-ray flux, (4–6) × 10−12 erg s−1 cm−2 (2–10 keV), would require a magnetic field strength higher than the Galactic mean (≳8 μG) if the diffuse X-ray emission originates from synchrotron radiation and the gamma-ray emission is predominantly hadronic. If the X-rays are of thermal origin, the measured extension, temperature, and plasma density can be explained by a jet with a luminosity of ∼2 × 1039 erg s−1, which is comparable to the Eddington luminosity of this system.

IGR J17091−3624 is the only black hole X-ray binary candidate—aside from the well-studied black hole system GRS 1915+105—observed to exhibit a wide range of structured variability patterns in its light curves. In 2025, the source underwent a “failed” outburst: it brightened in the hard state but did not transition to the soft state before returning to quiescence within a few weeks. During this period, IGR J17091−3624 was observed by multiple ground- and space-based facilities. Here, we present results from six pointed NuSTAR observations obtained during the outburst. None of the NuSTAR light curves showed the exotic variability classes typical of the soft state in this source; however, we detected, for the first time, strong dips in the count rate during one epoch, with a total duration of ∼4 ks as seen by NuSTAR. Through spectral and timing analysis of all six epochs, we investigate the hard-state spectral evolution and the nature of the dips. A clear evolution of the coronal properties with luminosity is observed over all six epochs, with clear signatures of relativistic disk reflection that remain largely unchanged across the first five epochs. The first five epochs also show a strong and stable quasiperiodic oscillation feature in the power spectra. The dips observed in Epoch 5 are consistent with partial obscuration by ionized material with a column density NH ≈ 2.0 × 1023 cm−2. We discuss possible origins for this material and place constraints on the orbital parameters and distance of the system.

We present the first IXPE spectro-polarimetric observation of the black hole candidate MAXI J1744−294, a transient X-ray source observed during a bright 2025 outburst in the Galactic center region. The source has recently been identified as most likely a repeat outburst of the 2016 transient Swift J174540.2−290037. During the ∼150 ks observation, the source was detected in the soft state, and its spectrum was well described by an absorbed multicolor disk with a minor high-energy tail. We did not detect any significant polarization from the source, and hence we derived a 3σ upper limit on the polarization degree of 1.3% in the 2–8 keV energy band. This result is consistent with previous findings for soft-state black hole binaries observed at low to intermediate inclination angles. By comparing the polarization degree upper limit with theoretical predictions for standard accretion disk emission, we constrain the disk inclination to i ≲ 38°–72°, depending on the black hole spin and the disk atmosphere albedo, consistent with inclination estimates obtained during the 2016 outburst of Swift J174540.2−290037.

Powerful outflows along the accretion disk, known as disk winds, are sometimes launched in black hole X-ray binaries. These winds often manifest themselves in X-ray spectra as blueshifted, highly ionized absorption lines. Previous observations suggest that the mass loss rate from the disk due to disk winds can be comparable to or even more than the mass accretion rate onto the black hole, indicating that disk winds likely play crucial roles in shaping the accretion disk structure and affecting the surrounding environment. However, the mechanisms driving these winds, as well as how their structure changes in response to variations in the mass accretion rate, remain poorly understood. The X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM), launched in September 2023, is equipped with Resolve, a cutting-edge X-ray micro-calorimeter that delivers unprecedented spectral resolution. Resolve is expected to significantly advance our understanding of wind launching mechanisms and their impact on accretion processes and environments. In this article, we review the progress made in the pre-XRISM era, highlight key results obtained from XRISM observations to date, and outline future prospects.

Observation of blue-shifted X-ray absorption lines indicates the presence of wind from the accretion disk in X-ray binaries. Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) driving is one of the possible wind launching mechanisms. Recent theoretical development makes magnetic accretion-ejection self-similar solutions much more generalized, and wind can be launched even at much lower magnetization compared to equipartition value, which was the only possibility beforehand. Here, we model the transmitted spectra through MHD driven photoionized wind - models which have different values of magnetizations. We investigate the possibility of detecting absorption lines by the upcoming instruments XRISM and Athena. Attempts are made to find the robustness of the method of fitting asymmetric line profiles by multiple Gaussians. We use photoionization code XSTAR to simulate the transmitted model spectra. Fake observed spectra are finally produced by convolving model spectra with instruments' responses. Since the line asymmetries are apparent in the convolved spectra as well, this can be used as an observable diagnostic to fit for, in future XRISM and Athena spectra. We demonstrate some amount of rigor in assessing the equivalent widths of the major absorption lines, including the Fe XXVI Ly\\(\\alpha\\) doublets which can be clearly distinguished in the superior quality, future high resolution spectra. Disk magnetization becomes another crucial MHD variable that can significantly alter the absorption line profiles. Low magnetization pure MHD outflow models are dense enough to be observed by the existing or upcoming instruments. Thus these models become simpler alternatives to MHD-thermal models. Fitting with multiple Gaussians is a promising method to handle asymmetric line profiles, as well as the Fe XXVI Ly\\(\\alpha\\) doublets.

The presence of large ionised gaseous nebulae found around some ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) provides the means to assess the mechanical and radiative feedback of the central source, and hence constrain the efficiency and impact on the surroundings of the super-Eddington regime powering most of these sources. NGC 1313 X--1 is an archetypal ULX which has been reported to be surrounded by abnormally high [O I]\\(\\lambda\\)6300/H\\(\\alpha >\\) 0.1 ratios and for which high-resolution spectroscopy in X-rays has hinted the presence of powerful outflows. We report observations taken with the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer of NGC 1313 X--1 in order to confirm the presence of a nebula inflated by the winds, investigate its main sources of ionisation and estimate the mechanical output of the source. We detect a bubble of 452 \\(\\times\\) 266\\,pc in size, roughly centred around the ULX, which shows clear evidence for shock ionisation in the outer edges. We estimate shock velocities to be in the \\(\\approx160-180\\)\\,km/s range based on the line ratios. This suggests that an average and continuous outflow power of \\(\\sim(2-4.5) \\times 10^{40}\\) erg/s over a timescale of \\((4.5-7.8) \\times10^5\\)\\,yr is required to inflate the bubble. In the interior of the bubble and closer to the ULX we detect an extended (\\(\\sim\\)140\\,pc) X-ray ionised region. Additionally, we detect two supernova remnants coincidentally close to the bubble of which we also report age and explosion energy estimates. The elongated morphology and the kinematics of the bubble strongly suggest that the bubble is being inflated by winds and/or jets emanating from the central source, supporting the presence of winds found through X-ray spectroscopy. The estimated mechanical power is comparable or higher than the X-ray luminosity of the source, providing additional evidence in support of NGC 1313 X--1 harbouring a super-Eddington accretor.

We study the transient black hole binary MAXI J1631--479 in its soft spectral state observed simultaneously by the NICER and NuSTAR instruments. Its puzzling feature is the presence of a strong and broad Fe K line, while the continuum consists of a strong disk blackbody and a very weak power-law tail. The irradiation of the disk by a power-law spectrum fitting the tail is much too weak to account for the strong line. Two solutions were proposed in the past. One invoked an intrinsic Fe K disk emission, and the other invoked disk irradiation by the returning blackbody emission. We instead find that the strong line is naturally explained by the irradiation of the disk by the spectrum from Comptonization of the disk blackbody by coronal relativistic electrons. The shape of the irradiating spectrum at \\(\\lesssim\\)10 keV reflects that of the disk blackbody; it is strongly curved and has a higher flux than that of a fit with a power-law irradiation. That flux accounts for the line. While this result is independent of the physical model used for the disk intrinsic emission, the value of the fitted spin strongly depends on it. When using a Kerr disk model for a thin disk with a color correction, the fitted spin corresponds to a retrograde disk, unlikely for a Roche-lobe overflow binary. Then, a model accounting for both the disk finite thickness and radiative transfer yields a spin of \\(a_*\\approx0.8\\)--0.9, which underlines the strong model-dependence of X-ray spin measurements.

We study the transient black hole binary MAXI J1631--479 in its soft spectral state observed simultaneously by the NICER and NuSTAR instruments. Its puzzling feature is the presence of a strong and broad Fe K line, while the continuum consists of a strong disk blackbody and a very weak power-law tail. The irradiation of the disk by a power-law spectrum fitting the tail is much too weak to account for the strong line. Two solutions were proposed in the past. One invoked an intrinsic Fe K disk emission, and the other invoked disk irradiation by the returning blackbody emission. We instead find that the strong line is naturally explained by the irradiation of the disk by the spectrum from Comptonization of the disk blackbody by coronal relativistic electrons. The shape of the irradiating spectrum at \\(\\lesssim\\)10 keV reflects that of the disk blackbody; it is strongly curved and has a higher flux than that of a fit with a power-law irradiation. That flux accounts for the line. While this result is independent of the physical model used for the disk intrinsic emission, the value of the fitted spin strongly depends on it. When using a Kerr disk model for a thin disk with a color correction, the fitted spin corresponds to a retrograde disk, unlikely for a Roche-lobe overflow binary. Then, a model accounting for both the disk finite thickness and radiative transfer yields a spin of \\(a_*\\approx0.8\\)--0.9, which underlines the strong model-dependence of X-ray spin measurements.