The X-ray spectrum of Cyg X-2

The spectra of disc accreting neutron stars generally show complex curvature, and individual components from the disc, boundary layer and neutron star surface cannot be uniquely identified. Here we show that much of the confusion over the spectral form derives from inadequate approximations for Comptonization and for the iron line. There is an intrinsic low-energy cut-off in Comptonized spectra at the seed photon energy. It is very important to model this correctly in neutron star systems as these have expected seed photon temperatures (from either the neutron star surface, inner disc or self-absorbed cyclotron) of ≈1 keV, clearly within the observed X-ray energy band. There is also reflected continuum emission which must accompany the observed iron line, which distorts the higher energy spectrum. We illustrate these points by a reanalysis of the Ginga spectra of Cyg X-2 at all points along its Z track, and show that the spectrum can be well fitted by models in which the low-energy spectrum is dominated by the disc, while the higher energy spectrum is dominated by Comptonized emission from the boundary layer, together with its reflected spectrum from a relativistically smeared, ionized disc.