scholarly journals High-mass X-ray binaries in nearby metal-poor galaxies: on the contribution to nebular He ii emission

2020 ◽  
Vol 494 (1) ◽  
pp. 941-957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Senchyna ◽  
Daniel P Stark ◽  
Jordan Mirocha ◽  
Amy E Reines ◽  
Stéphane Charlot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Formation Rate ◽  
Stellar Atmospheres ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
High Ionization ◽  
Binary Evolution ◽  
Joint Contribution ◽  
X Ray Binaries

ABSTRACT Despite significant progress both observationally and theoretically, the origin of high-ionization nebular He ii emission in galaxies dominated by stellar photoionization remains unclear. Accretion-powered radiation from high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) is still one of the leading proposed explanations for the missing He+-ionizing photons, but this scenario has yet to be conclusively tested. In this paper, we present nebular line predictions from a grid of photoionization models with input spectral energy distributions containing the joint contribution of both stellar atmospheres and a multicolour disc model for HMXBs. This grid demonstrates that HMXBs are inefficient producers of the photons necessary to power He ii, and can only boost this line substantially in galaxies with HMXB populations large enough to power X-ray luminosities of 1042 erg s−1 per unit star formation rate (SFR). To test this, we assemble a sample of 11 low-redshift star-forming galaxies with high-quality constraints on both X-ray emission from Chandra and He ii emission from deep optical spectra, including new observations with the MMT. These data reveal that the HMXB populations of these nearby systems are insufficient to account for the observed He ii strengths, with typical X-ray luminosities or upper limits thereon of only 1040–1041 erg s−1 per SFR. This indicates that HMXBs are not the dominant source of He+ ionization in these metal-poor star-forming galaxies. We suggest that the solution may instead reside in revisions to stellar wind predictions, softer X-ray sources, or very hot products of binary evolution at low metallicity.

scholarly journals The High Mass X-ray binaries in star-forming galaxies

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (S346) ◽  
pp. 332-336
Author(s):  
M. Celeste Artale ◽  
Nicola Giacobbo ◽  
Michela Mapelli ◽  
Paolo Esposito
Keyword(s):  
Luminosity Function ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Population Synthesis ◽  
Host Galaxies ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Formation In Galaxies ◽  
Binary Evolution ◽  
X Ray Binaries ◽  
The Universe

AbstractThe high mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) provide an exciting framework to investigate the evolution of massive stars and the processes behind binary evolution. HMXBs have shown to be good tracers of recent star formation in galaxies and might be important feedback sources at early stages of the Universe. Furthermore, HMXBs are likely the progenitors of gravitational wave sources (BH–BH or BH–NS binaries that may merge producing gravitational waves). In this work, we investigate the nature and properties of HMXB population in star-forming galaxies. We combine the results from the population synthesis model MOBSE (Giacobbo & Mapelli 2018a) together with galaxy catalogs from EAGLE simulation (Schaye et al. 2015). Therefore, this method describes the HMXBs within their host galaxies in a self-consistent way. We compute the X-ray luminosity function (XLF) of HMXBs in star-forming galaxies, showing that this methodology matches the main features of the observed XLF.

scholarly journals X-ray binaries as the origin of nebular He II emission in low-metallicity star-forming galaxies

2019 ◽  
Vol 622 ◽  
pp. L10 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Schaerer ◽  
T. Fragos ◽  
Y. I. Izotov
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Star Formation Rate ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
High Mass ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
X Ray Binaries

The origin of nebular He II emission, which is frequently observed in low-metallicity (O/H) star-forming galaxies, remains largely an unsolved question. Using the observed anticorrelation of the integrated X-ray luminosity per unit of star formation rate (LX/SFR) of an X-ray binary population with metallicity and other empirical data from the well-studied galaxy I Zw 18, we show that the observed He II λ4686 intensity and its trend with metallicity is naturally reproduced if the bulk of He+ ionizing photons are emitted by the X-ray sources. We also show that a combination of X-ray binary population models with normal single and/or binary stellar models reproduces the observed I(4686)/I(Hβ) intensities and its dependency on metallicity and age. We conclude that both empirical data and theoretical models suggest that high-mass X-ray binaries are the main source of nebular He II emission in low-metallicity star-forming galaxies.

scholarly journals X-rays from Green Pea analogues

2017 ◽  
Vol 470 (1) ◽  
pp. 606-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Brorby ◽  
P. Kaaret
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
High Mass ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Green Pea ◽  
X Ray Binaries

Abstract X-ray observations of two metal-deficient luminous compact galaxies (LCG; SHOC 486 and SDSS J084220.94+115000.2) with properties similar to the so-called Green Pea galaxies were obtained using the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Green Pea galaxies are relatively small, compact (a few kpc across) galaxies that get their green colour from strong [O iii] λ5007 Å emission, an indicator of intense, recent star formation. These two galaxies were predicted to have the highest observed count rates, using the X-ray luminosity–star formation rate (LX–SFR) relation for X-ray binaries, from a statistically complete sample drawn from optical criteria. We determine the X-ray luminosity relative to SFR and metallicity for these two galaxies. Neither exhibits any evidence of active galactic nuclei, and we suspect that the X-ray emission originates from unresolved populations of high-mass X-ray binaries. We discuss the LX–SFR–metallicity plane for star-forming galaxies and show that the two LCGs are consistent with the prediction of this relation. This is the first detection of Green Pea analogues in X-rays.

scholarly journals Connecting the metallicity dependence and redshift evolution of high-mass X-ray binaries

2020 ◽  
Vol 495 (1) ◽  
pp. 771-783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca M Fornasini ◽  
Francesca Civano ◽  
Hyewon Suh
Keyword(s):  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Star Formation Rate ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Population Synthesis ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Best Fitting ◽  
Robust Measurements ◽  
X Ray Binaries

ABSTRACT The integrated X-ray luminosity (LX) of high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) in a galaxy is correlated with its star formation rate (SFR), and the normalization of this correlation increases with redshift. Population synthesis models suggest that the redshift evolution of LX/SFR is driven by the metallicity (Z) dependence of HMXBs, and the first direct evidence of this connection was recently presented using galaxies at z ∼ 2. To confirm this result with more robust measurements and better constrain the LX–SFR–Z relation, we have studied the Z dependence of LX/SFR at lower redshifts. Using samples of star-forming galaxies at z = 0.1–0.9 with optical spectra from the hCOSMOS and zCOSMOS surveys, we stacked Chandra data from the COSMOS Legacy survey to measure the average LX/SFR as a function of Z in three redshift ranges: z = 0.1–0.25, 0.25–0.4, and 0.5–0.9. We find no significant variation of the LX–SFR–Z relation with redshift. Our results provide further evidence that the Z dependence of HMXBs is responsible for the redshift evolution of LX/SFR. Combining all available z > 0 measurements together, we derive a best-fitting LX–SFR–Z relation and assess how different population synthesis models describe the data. These results provide the strongest constraints to date on the LX–SFR–Z relation in the range of 8.0 < 12 + log(O/H) < 9.0.

scholarly journals X-ray properties of He ii λ 1640 emitting galaxies in VANDELS

2020 ◽  
Vol 496 (3) ◽  
pp. 3796-3807
Author(s):  
A Saxena ◽  
L Pentericci ◽  
D Schaerer ◽  
R Schneider ◽  
R Amorin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Formation Rate ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Set Constraints ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
Matched Samples ◽  
X Ray Binaries

ABSTRACT We explore X-ray emission from a sample of 18 He ii λ1640 emitting star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 2.3–3.6 from the VANDELS survey in the Chandra Deep Field South, to set constraints on the role of X-ray sources in powering the He ii emission. We find that 4 He ii emitters have tentative detections with S/N ∼ 2 and have X-ray luminosities, LX = 1.5−4.9 × 1041 erg s−1. The stacked luminosity of all 18 He ii emitters is 2.6 × 1041 erg s−1, and that of a subset of 13 narrow He ii emitters (FHWM(He ii) < 1000 km s−1) is 3.1 × 1041 erg s−1. We also measure stacked LX for non-He ii emitters through bootstrapping of matched samples, and find LX = 2.5 × 1041 erg s−1, which is not significantly different from LX measured for He ii emitters. The LX per star formation rate for He ii emitters (log (LX/SFR) ∼ 40.0) and non-emitters (log (LX/SFR) ∼ 39.9) are also comparable and in line with the redshift evolution and metallicity dependence predicted by models. Due to the non-significant difference between the X-ray emission from galaxies with and without He ii, we conclude that X-ray binaries or weak or obscured active galactic nuclei are unlikely to be the dominant producers of He ii ionizing photons in VANDELS star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 3. Given the comparable physical properties of both He ii emitters and non-emitters reported previously, alternative He ii ionizing mechanisms such as localized low-metallicity stellar populations, Pop-III stars, etc. may need to be explored.

scholarly journals High mass X-ray binaries as progenitors of gravitational wave sources

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (S346) ◽  
pp. 417-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakub Klencki ◽  
Gijs Nelemans
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Massive Star ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Close Binary ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Orbital Periods ◽  
X Ray Binaries ◽  
Hubble Time

AbstractX-ray binaries with black hole (BH) accretors and massive star donors at short orbital periods of a few days can evolve into close binary BH (BBH) systems that merge within the Hubble time. From an observational point of view, upon the Roche-lobe overflow such systems will most likely appear as ultra-luminous X-ray sources (ULXs). To study this connection, we compute the mass transfer phase in systems with BH accretors and massive star donors (M > 15 Mʘ) at various orbital separations and metallicities. In the case of core-hydrogen and core-helium burning donors (cases A and C of mass transfer) we find the typical duration of super-Eddington mass transfer of up to 106 and 105 yr, with rates of 10−6 and 10−5Mʘ yr-1, respectively. Given that roughly 0.5 ULXs are found per unit of star formation rate, we estimate the rate of BBH mergers from stable mass transfer evolution to be at most 10 Gpc−3 yr−1.

scholarly journals Effects of metallicity on high-mass X-ray binary formation

2019 ◽  
Vol 491 (3) ◽  
pp. 3606-3612 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Ponnada ◽  
M Brorby ◽  
P Kaaret
Keyword(s):  
Luminosity Function ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
High Mass ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Binary Formation ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Solar Metallicity ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
X Ray Binaries

ABSTRACT The heating of the intergalactic medium in the early, metal-poor Universe may have been partly due to radiation from high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs). Previous investigations on the effect of metallicity have used galaxies of different types. To isolate the effects of metallicity on the production of HMXBs, we study a sample consisting only of 46 blue compact dwarf galaxies covering metallicity in the range 12+log(O/H) of 7.15–8.66. To test the hypothesis of metallicity dependence in the X-ray luminosity function (XLF), we fix the XLF form to that found for near-solar metallicity galaxies and use a Bayesian method to constrain the XLF normalization as a function of star formation rate for three different metallicity ranges in our sample. We find an increase by a factor of 4.45 ± 2.04 in the XLF normalization between the metallicity ranges 7.1–7.7 and 8.2–8.66 at a statistical significance of 99.79 per cent. Our results suggest that HMXB production is enhanced at low metallicity, and consequently that HMXBs may have contributed significantly to the reheating of the early Universe.

scholarly journals An X-Ray View of Interacting Binaries Outside The Galaxy

2004 ◽  
Vol 194 ◽  
pp. 3-6
Author(s):  
Andrea H. Prestwich
Keyword(s):  
Supernova Remnants ◽  
Luminosity Function ◽  
Local Group ◽  
Spiral Galaxies ◽  
High Mass ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
X Ray Binaries

AbstractChandra and XMM-Newton are revolutionizing our understanding of compact binaries in external galaxies, allowing us to study sources in detail in Local Group Galaxies and study populations in more distant systems. In M31 the X-ray luminosity function depends on the local stellar population in the sense that areas with active star formation have more high luminosity sources, and a higher overall source density (Kong. Di Stefano. Garcia, & Greiner 2003). This result is also true in galaxies outside the Local Group; starburst galaxies have flatter X-ray luminosity functions than do spiral galaxies which are in turn flatter than elliptical galaxies. These observational results suggest that the high end of the luminosity function in star forming regions is dominated by short-lived high mass X-ray binaries.In Chandra Cycle 2 we started a Large Project to survey a sample of 11 nearby (< 10Mpc) face-on spiral galaxies. We find that sources can be approximately classified on the basis of their X-ray color into low mass X-ray binaries, high mass X-ray binaries and supersoft sources. There is an especially interesting class of source that has X-ray colors softer (“redder”) than a typical low mass X-ray binary source, but not so extreme as supersoft sources. Most of these are probably X-ray bright supernova remnants, but some may be a new type of black hole accretor. Finally, when we construct a luminosity function of sources selecting only sources with low mass X-ray binary colors (removing soft sources) we find that there is a dip or break probably associated with the Eddington luminosity for a neutron star.

scholarly journals The superslow pulsation X-ray pulsars in high mass X-ray binaries

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S291) ◽  
pp. 203-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Wang
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Binary Systems ◽  
High Mass ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Origin And Evolution ◽  
Surface Magnetic Field ◽  
Spin Period ◽  
Binary Evolution ◽  
X Ray Binaries

AbstractThere exists a special class of X-ray pulsars that exhibit very slow pulsation of Pspin > 1000 s in the high mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs). We have studied the temporal and spectral properties of these superslow pulsation neutron star binaries in hard X-ray bands with INTEGRAL observations. Long-term monitoring observations find spin period evolution of two sources: spin-down trend for 4U 2206+54 (Pspin ~ 5560 s with Ṗspin ~ 4.9 × 10−7 s s−1) and long-term spin-up trend for 2S 0114+65 (Pspin ~ 9600 s with Ṗspin ~ −1 × 10−6 s s−1) in the last 20 years. A Be X-ray transient, SXP 1062 (Pspin ~ 1062 s), also showed a fast spin-down rate of Ṗspin ~ 3 × 10−6 s s−1 during an outburst. These superslow pulsation neutron stars cannot be produced in the standard X-ray binary evolution model unless the neutron star has a much stronger surface magnetic field (B > 1014 G). The physical origin of the superslow spin period is still unclear. The possible origin and evolution channels of the superslow pulsation X-ray pulsars are discussed. Superslow pulsation X-ray pulsars could be younger X-ray binary systems, still in the fast evolution phase preceding the final equilibrium state. Alternatively, they could be a new class of neutron star system – accreting magnetars.

scholarly journals X-ray emission from star-forming galaxies - I. High-mass X-ray binaries

2011 ◽  
Vol 419 (3) ◽  
pp. 2095-2115 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Mineo ◽  
M. Gilfanov ◽  
R. Sunyaev
Keyword(s):  
High Mass ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
X Ray Binaries
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