Statistical analysis for the Q-factor of twin kHz QPOs

Using the recently published data of twin kHz quasi-period oscillations (QPOs) in neutron stars of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs), we study the different profiles between bright Z sources and less luminous Atoll sources. The quality factors of upper kHz QPOs show a narrow distribution both for Z sources and Atoll sources, which concentrate at 7.98 and 9.75, respectively. The quality factors of lower kHz QPOs show a narrow distribution for Z sources and a broader distribution for Atoll sources, which concentrate at 5.25 and 86.22, respectively. In order to investigate the relation between the quality factor and the peak frequency of kHz QPOs, we fit the data with power-law, linear, and exponential functions, respectively. There is an obvious trend that the quality factors increase with the peak frequencies both for upper and lower QPOs. The implications of our results are discussed (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)