Can isolated single black holes produce X-ray novae?

Almost all black holes (BHs) and BH candidates in our Galaxy have been discovered as soft X-ray transients, so-called X-ray novae. X-ray novae are usually considered to arise from binary systems. Here we propose that X-ray novae are also caused by isolated single BHs. We calculate the distribution of the accretion rate from interstellar matter to isolated BHs, and find that BHs in molecular clouds satisfy the condition of the hydrogen-ionizaiton disk instability, which results in X-ray novae. The estimated event rate is consistent with the observed one. Possible candidates include IGR J17454-2919, XTE J1908-094, and SAX J1711.6-3808. Near infrared photometric and spectroscopic follow-ups can exclude companion stars for a BH census in our Galaxy.

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