A spectroscopic study of LMC X-4

The orbital radial velocity semi-amplitude of the binary star system LMC X-4 primary was determined to be 37.9 + or - 2.4 km/s from measurements of the hydrogen absorption lines. The semi-amplitude of the He I and He II absorption lines are consistent with this, namely 44.9 + or - 5.0 and 37.3 + or - 5.3 km/s. The phase and shape of the radial velocity curves of the three ions are consistent with a circular orbit and an ephemeris based upon X-ray measurements of the neutron star, with the exception that the He II absorption line radial velocity curve has detectable shape distortion. Measurements of the He II LAMBOA 4686 emission line velocity are consistent with a phase shifted sine wave of semi-amplitude 535 km/s, a square wave of semi-amplitude 407 km/s, or high order harmonic fits. The spectral type was found to be 08.5 IV-V during X-ray eclipse. Variations to types as early as 07 occur, but not as a function or orbital phase. Absorption line peculiarities were noted on 6 of 58 spectra.