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The black-hole binary system LMC X-3 has been observed by virtually everyX-ray mission since the inception of X-ray astronomy. Among the persistentsources, LMC X-3 is uniquely both habitually soft and highly variable. Using afully relativistic accretion-disk model, we analyze hundreds of spectracollected during eight X-ray missions that span 26 years. For a selected sampleof 391 RXTE spectra we find that to within ~2 percent the inner radius of theaccretion disk is constant over time and unaffected by source variability. Evenconsidering an ensemble of eight X-ray missions, we find consistent values ofthe radius to within ~4-6 percent. Our results provide strong evidence for theexistence of a fixed inner-disk radius. The only reasonable inference is thatthis radius is closely associated with the general relativistic innermoststable circular orbit (ISCO). Our findings establish a firm foundation for themeasurement of black hole spin.

The Constant Inner-Disk Radius of LMC X-3: A Basis for Measuring Black Hole Spin