Correlated x-ray and optical time variability of TT arietis

Simultaneous X-ray and optical photometry of the cataclysmic variable TT Arietis has revealed correlated X-ray and opticl variability over a broad range of time scales. Large amplitude X-ray flickering with a time scale of approx.1000 s persists for the entire observation, is present at all orbital phases, and is correlated with optical flickering. The X-ray flickering is delayed by approx.1 minute with respect to the optical flickering. Transient hard X-ray oscillations with periods approx.32 s, approx.12 s, and approx.9 s and transient optical oscillations with periods approx.32 s and approx.12 s are observed. There is a modulation of the X-ray flux with a period consistent with the orbital period of approximately 200 minutes, but there is no apparent modulation of the X-ray spectrum. The optical flux is modulated with a similar period and may lag the X-ray modulation by approx.0.1 in phase. An X-ray photoelectric absorption event with a duration of about 1000 s is observed. An optical flux decrease of shorter duration (approx.500 s) occurs at the same time. The X-ray spectrum is well fitted by a thermal bremsstrahlung plus Gaunt factor model with kT> or approx. =10 keV, N/sub H/ = 1-2 x 1021 cm-2, and a received flux of approx.2 x 10-11 ergs cm-2 s-1 between 0.2 and 4 keV. The results of our observations suggest that the hard X-ray emission from TT Ari may be produced in a corona above and below the inner accretion disk