Spectroscopic study of the optical counterpart to the fast X-ray transient IGR J17544-2619 based on observations at the 1.5-m RTT-150 telescope

Abstract

We present the results of our long-term photometric and spectroscopic observations at the Russian–Turkish RTT-150 telescope for the optical counterpart to one of the best-known sources, representatives of the class of fast X-ray transients, IGR J17544-2619. Based on our optical data, we have determined for the first time the orbital and physical parameters of the binary system by the methods of Doppler spectroscopy.We have calculated theoretical spectra of the optical counterpart by applying non- LTE corrections for selected lines and obtained the parameters of the stellar atmosphere (T_eff = 33 000 K, log g = 3.85, R = 9.5 R_⊙, and M = 23 M_⊙). The latter suggest that the optical star is not a supergiant as has been thought previously.