Unusual features in the persistent emission of the Rapid Burster

Several distinct features in the persistent X-ray emission after long (greater than 30 s) type II bursts from the Rapid Burster were discovered in August 1985. A specific pattern characterized by a 'hump' was observed in the early portion of the persistent emission after type II bursts with integrated fluxes less than about 4.8 x 10 exp -6 erg/sq cm. This hump which typically lasts about 200 s is almost never observed after bursts with fluences greater than this value. The emission during the hump is found to be always harder than the average persistent emission. Quasi-periodic oscillations with frequencies of about 40 mHz observed in 10 cases occur exclusively during a hump. The persistent emission also exhibited sharp 'glitches' and small 'bumps' lasting about 20-100 s. The glitches always occurred at the same phase in the intervals between bursts. In seven cases the glitches were followed by a bump.