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In a fast multi‐wavelength timing study of black hole X‐ray binaries (BHBs), we have discovered correlated optical and X‐ray variability in the low/hard state of two sources: GX 339‐4 and SWIFT J1753.5‐0127. After XTE J1118+480, these are the only BHBs currently known to show rapid (sub‐second) aperiodic optical flickering. Our simultaneous VLT/Ultracam and RXTE data reveal intriguing patterns with characteristic peaks, dips and lags down to very short timescales. Simple linear reprocessing models can be ruled out as the origin of the rapid, aperiodic optical power in both sources. A magnetic energy release model with fast interactions between the disk, jet and corona can explain the complex correlation patterns. We also show that in both the optical and X‐ray light curves, the absolute source variability r.m.s. amplitude linearly increases with flux, and that the flares have a log‐normal distribution. The implication is that variability at both wavelengths is not due to local fluctuations alone, but rather arises as a result of coupling of perturbations over a wide range of radii and timescales. These ‘optical and X‐ray rms‐flux relations’ thus provide new constraints to connect the outer and inner parts of the accretion flow, and the jet.

Rapid timing studies of black hole binaries in Optical and X-rays: correlated and non-linear variability