Probing the origin of quasi-periodic oscillations in accreting black holes

Wednesday 21 Oct 2026, 14:00 → 14:30 Asia/Shanghai

Tsung-Dao Lee Institute/S4F-SW - Open Area (Tsung-Dao Lee Institute)

Qingcang Shui（税擎苍）

Title:  Probing the origin of quasi-periodic oscillations in accreting black holes
Time: 14:00-14:30 (UTC+8), 21October 2026, Wednesday
Host: Mengtao Tang
Join Tencent Meeting：https://meeting.tencent.com/dm/LnlMKgrF7VIf
Meeting ID: 151893686 (no password)

Abstract:
Low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (LFQPOs) in black hole X-ray binaries have remained a long-standing puzzle. A leading explanation attributes these oscillations to general relativistic Lense–Thirring precession of the tilted, hot inner accretion flow, but direct observational evidence has been elusive. In this talk, I will introduce a novel X-ray data-analysis method designed to identify the characteristic signatures of accretion flow precession. Applying this method to X-ray observations, we detect significant signatures predicted by the precession model, providing strong observational support for this scenario. I will also discuss prospects for further testing this model with the future enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission (eXTP).

Biography:
Qingcang Shui (税擎苍) is a new TDLI postdoc. He received his Ph.D. from the Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in 2026. His research focuses on black hole accretion physics, particularly X-ray variability, using advanced data-analysis techniques and numerical simulations.