Bowen blend echo-tomography of low mass X-ray binaries

We present simultaneous high time resolution (1-10 Hz) X-ray and optical observations of the persistent LMXBs Sco X-1 and V801 Ara(=4U1636-536). In the case of Sco X-1 we find that the Bowen/HeII emission lags the X-ray light-curves with a light travel time of ∼11-16s which is consistent with reprocessing in the donor star. We also present the detection of three correlated X-ray/optical bursts in V801 ara. Although this latter project is still in progress our preliminary results obtained by subtracting the Continuum light-curve from the Bowen/HeII data provide evidence of orbital phase dependent echoes from the companion star. © 2008 American Institute of Physics