On the nature of the X-ray outbursts in Be/X-ray binaries

Abstract Be/X-ray binaries are a major subclass of high mass X-ray binaries. Two different X-ray outbursts are displayed in the X-ray light curves of such systems. It is generally believed that the X-ray outbursts are connected with the neutron star periastron passage of the circumstellar disk around the Be star. The optical emission of the Be star should be very important to understand the X-ray emission of the compact object. We have monitored several Be/X-ray binaries photometrically and spectroscopically in the optical band. The relationship between the optical emission and X-ray activity is described, which is very useful to explain the X-ray outbursts in Be/X-ray binaries.