The evolution of the timing properties of the black-hole transient GX 339–4 during its 2002/2003 outburst

Abstract

We present the results of the timing and color analysis of more than two hundred RXTE/PCA observations of the bright black-hole transient GX 339–4 obtained during its 2002/2003 outburst. The color-intensity evolution of the system, coupled to the properties of its fast time variability, allow the identification of four separate states. Depending on the state, strong noise is detected, together with a variety of quasi-periodic oscillations at frequencies from 0.2 to 8 Hz. We present a characterization of the timing parameters of these states and compare them to what has been observed in other systems. These results, together with those obtained from energy spectra, point towards a common evolution of black-hole transients through their outbursts.