Statistical X-ray analysis of gamma-ray-emitting radio galaxies

Abstract

Abstract We systematically analyzed Swift/XRT X-ray data of gamma-ray-emitting radio galaxies (RGs) to study the origin of X-ray radiation. We studied the short-duration variability of spectra by using Swift/XRT data for 20 RGs. We found that gamma-ray-emitting RGs with a higher gamma-ray-to-X-ray flux ratio show a strong harder-when-brighter behavior. In addition, gamma-ray-emitting RGs with soft gamma-ray spectral index tend to have a hard X-ray spectral index and vice versa. Based on these properties, we imply a trend that gamma-ray-emitting RGs could be roughly classified into three types of X-ray emission: jet-dominated type, disk/corona-dominated type, and intermediate type. This classification is quite consistent with the optical and radio classification of RGs. In addition, we also discuss this result in terms of the Eddington luminosity ratio. These interpretations should be confirmed using larger samples of RGs in the future.