Observing Supergiant Fast X-ray Transients in quiescence

Supergiant Fast Xray Transients (SFXTs) are a new class of highly variable hardXray sources in our galaxy. We propose to perform the first detailed study ofthe quiescent state of two SFTXs by carrying out XMM observations of IGRJ164794514 and XTE J1739302 sources. We will search for pulsations, lowlevelflaring activity and column density variations, and measure the Xray spectrum.We will address some key predictions of a recently proposed scenario in whichaccretion onto the neutron stars of SFXTs is gated by an extremely strong(magnetarlike) magnetic field. SFXTs might thus offer the first opportunity todetect magnetars hosted in binary star systems. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]