scholarly journals Orbital and superorbital periods in ULX pulsars, disc-fed HMXBs, Be/X-ray binaries, and double-periodic variables

2020 ◽  
Vol 495 (1) ◽  
pp. L139-L143
Author(s):  
L J Townsend ◽  
P A Charles
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Orbital Period ◽  
Binary Systems ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Early Type ◽  
Present Evidence ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Spin Period ◽  
Simple Linear Relationship ◽  
X Ray Binaries

ABSTRACT We present evidence for a simple linear relationship between the orbital period and superorbital period in ultra-luminous X-ray (ULX) pulsars, akin to what is seen in the population of disc-fed neutron star supergiant X-ray binary and Be/X-ray binary systems. We argue that the most likely cause of this relationship is the modulation of precessing hotspots or density waves in an accretion or circumstellar disc by the binary motion of the system, implying a physical link between ULX pulsars and high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB) pulsars. This hypothesis is supported by recent studies of Galactic and Magellanic Cloud HMXBs accreting at super-Eddington rates, and the position of ULX pulsars on the spin period–orbital period diagram of HMXBs. An interesting secondary relationship discovered in this work is the apparent connection between disc-fed HMXBs, ULXs, and a seemingly unrelated group of early-type binaries showing so-called double-periodic variability. We suggest that these systems are good candidates to be the direct progenitors of Be/X-ray binaries.

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 The Relation between Spin and Orbital Periods in HMXBs

2003 ◽  
Vol 214 ◽  
pp. 215-217
Author(s):  
Q. Z. Liu ◽  
X. D. Li ◽  
D. M. Wei
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Orbital Period ◽  
Critical Line ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Orbital Eccentricity ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Spin Period ◽  
Orbital Periods ◽  
X Ray Binaries

The relation between the spin period (Ps) and the orbital period (Po) in high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) is investigated. In order for Be/X-ray binaries to locate above the critical line of observable X-ray emission due to accretion, it is necessary for an intermediate orbital eccentricity to be introduced. We suggest that some peculiar systems in the Po − Ps diagram are caused by their peculiar magnetic fields.

scholarly journals Modelling decretion discs in Be/X-ray binaries

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
R O Brown ◽  
M J Coe ◽  
W C G Ho ◽  
A T Okazaki
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Orbital Period ◽  
Major Axis ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Be Stars ◽  
Semi Major Axis ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Smoothed Particle ◽  
X Ray Binaries

Abstract As the largest population of high mass X-ray binaries, Be/X-ray binaries provide an excellent laboratory to investigate the extreme physics of neutron stars. It is generally accepted that Be stars possess a circumstellar disc, providing an additional source of accretion to the stellar winds present around young hot stars. Interaction between the neutron star and the disc is often the dominant accretion mechanism. A large amount of work has gone into modelling the properties of these circumstellar discs, allowing for the explanation of a number of observable phenomena. In this paper, smoothed particle hydroynamics simulations are performed whilst varying the model parameters (orbital period, eccentricity, the mass ejection rate of the Be star and the viscosity and orientation of the disc). The relationships between the model parameters and the disc’s characteristics (base gas density, the accretion rate of the neutron star and the disc’s size) are presented. The observational evidence for a dependency of the size of the Be star’s circumstellar disc on the orbital period (and semi-major axis) is supported by the simulations.

scholarly journals Early neutron star evolution in high-mass X-ray binaries

2020 ◽  
Vol 494 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wynn C G Ho ◽  
M J P Wijngaarden ◽  
Nils Andersson ◽  
Thomas M Tauris ◽  
F Haberl
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Equilibrium Phase ◽  
High Mass ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Spin Period ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
X Ray Binaries ◽  
The Magnetic Field

ABSTRACT The application of standard accretion theory to observations of X-ray binaries provides valuable insights into neutron star (NS) properties, such as their spin period and magnetic field. However, most studies concentrate on relatively old systems, where the NS is in its late propeller, accretor, or nearly spin equilibrium phase. Here, we use an analytic model from standard accretion theory to illustrate the evolution of high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) early in their life. We show that a young NS is unlikely to be an accretor because of the long duration of ejector and propeller phases. We apply the model to the recently discovered ∼4000 yr old HMXB XMMU J051342.6−672412 and find that the system’s NS, with a tentative spin period of 4.4 s, cannot be in the accretor phase and has a magnetic field B > a few × 1013 G, which is comparable to the magnetic field of many older HMXBs and is much higher than the spin equilibrium inferred value of a few × 1011 G. The observed X-ray luminosity could be the result of thermal emission from a young cooling magnetic NS or a small amount of accretion that can occur in the propeller phase.

Evolution of High-mass X-ray binaries in the Small Magellanic Cloud

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (S346) ◽  
pp. 353-357
Author(s):  
Jun Yang ◽  
Daniel R. Wik
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Magellanic Cloud ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Small Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Third Body ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Spin Period ◽  
Period Derivative ◽  
X Ray Binaries ◽  
Small Period

AbstractIn order to understand the progenitor of rotation powered pulsars, we compare them with High-mass X-ray binary (HMXB) pulsars, (or X-ray pulsars), in the Small Magellanic Cloud. The plot of period period vs. period derivative shows that isolated neutron stars could be evolved from HMXBs. The pulsars with long spin period might spin up to 0.001-1 s. The mechanism is a third-body interaction that detaches the donor, leaving an isolated, small period neutron star behind.

scholarly journals A minimal timescale for the continuum in 4U 1608-52 and Aql X-1

2021 ◽  
Vol 502 (1) ◽  
pp. L72-L78
Author(s):  
K Mohamed ◽  
E Sonbas ◽  
K S Dhuga ◽  
E Göğüş ◽  
A Tuncer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Black Hole ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Power Spectra ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
State Transitions ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Present Evidence ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Binaries ◽  
The Continuum

ABSTRACT Similar to black hole X-ray binary transients, hysteresis-like state transitions are also seen in some neutron-star X-ray binaries. Using a method based on wavelets and light curves constructed from archival Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer observations, we extract a minimal timescale over the complete range of transitions for 4U 1608-52 during the 2002 and 2007 outbursts and the 1999 and 2000 outbursts for Aql X-1. We present evidence for a strong positive correlation between this minimal timescale and a similar timescale extracted from the corresponding power spectra of these sources.

scholarly journals A Machine Learning Approach For Classifying Low-mass X-ray Binaries Based On Their Compact Object Nature

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Pattnaik ◽  
K Sharma ◽  
K Alabarta ◽  
D Altamirano ◽  
M Chakraborty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Binary Systems ◽  
Compact Object ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Average Accuracy ◽  
Machine Learning Approach ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
X Ray Binaries

Abstract Low Mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) are binary systems where one of the components is either a black hole or a neutron star and the other is a less massive star. It is challenging to unambiguously determine whether a LMXB hosts a black hole or a neutron star. In the last few decades, multiple observational works have tried, with different levels of success, to address this problem. In this paper, we explore the use of machine learning to tackle this observational challenge. We train a random forest classifier to identify the type of compact object using the energy spectrum in the energy range 5-25 keV obtained from the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer archive. We report an average accuracy of 87±13% in classifying the spectra of LMXB sources. We further use the trained model for predicting the classes for LMXB systems with unknown or ambiguous classification. With the ever-increasing volume of astronomical data in the X-ray domain from present and upcoming missions (e.g., SWIFT, XMM-Newton, XARM, ATHENA, NICER), such methods can be extremely useful for faster and robust classification of X-ray sources and can also be deployed as part of the data reduction pipeline.

scholarly journals Hardness Ratio in Evolving Low-Mass X-ray Binary Systems

1987 ◽  
Vol 125 ◽  
pp. 199-199
Author(s):  
J. Shaham ◽  
M. Tavani
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Accretion Disk ◽  
Binary Systems ◽  
Spectral Component ◽  
Soft Component ◽  
Hard Component ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Additional Support ◽  
X Ray Binaries

Spectral observations of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) show that the soft component usually dominates over the hard one. These results provide additional support to an interpretation based on models of LMXBs in which the neutron star while, on the average, spinning up, is also experiencing a spinning down torque. Under these conditions, a fraction of the luminosity associated with the gravitational release of energy on the surface of the accreting neutron star may manifest itself as luminosity originating in the inner part of the accretion disk. It is probably possible to separate the two contributions; the stellar luminosity can be associated with the hard component of the spectrum and the disk luminosity, related to the exchange of energy due to the torque between the rapidly spinning neutron star and the accretion disk, can be associated with the soft spectral component.

scholarly journals The Swift-BAT survey reveals the orbital period of three high-mass X-ray binaries

2011 ◽  
Vol 529 ◽  
pp. A30 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D’Aì ◽  
V. La Parola ◽  
G. Cusumano ◽  
A. Segreto ◽  
P. Romano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Orbital Period ◽  
High Mass ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Binaries

scholarly journals Mass transfer on a nuclear timescale in models of supergiant and ultra-luminous X-ray binaries

2019 ◽  
Vol 628 ◽  
pp. A19 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Quast ◽  
N. Langer ◽  
T. M. Tauris
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Roche Lobe ◽  
High Mass ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Mass Ratios ◽  
X Ray Binaries ◽  
Eddington Limit

Context. The origin and number of the Galactic supergiant X-ray binaries is currently not well understood. They consist of an evolved massive star and a neutron star or black-hole companion. X-rays are thought to be generated from the accretion of wind material donated by the supergiant, while mass transfer due to Roche-lobe overflow is mostly disregarded because the high mass ratios of these systems are thought to render this process unstable. Aims. We investigate how the proximity of supergiant donor stars to the Eddington limit, and their advanced evolutionary stage, may influence the evolution of massive and ultra-luminous X-ray binaries with supergiant donor stars (SGXBs and ULXs). Methods. We constructed models of massive stars with different internal hydrogen and helium gradients (H/He gradients) and different hydrogen-rich envelope masses, and exposed them to slow mass-loss to probe the response of the stellar radius. In addition, we computed the corresponding Roche-lobe overflow mass-transfer evolution with our detailed binary stellar evolution code, approximating the compact objects as point masses. Results. We find that a H/He gradient in the layers beneath the surface, as it is likely present in the well-studied donor stars of observed SGBXs, can enable mass transfer in SGXBs on a nuclear timescale with a black-hole or a neutron star accretor, even for mass ratios in excess of 20. In our binary evolution models, the donor stars rapidly decrease their thermal equilibrium radius and can therefore cope with the inevitably strong orbital contraction imposed by the high mass ratio. We find that the orbital period derivatives of our models agree well with empirical values. We argue that the SGXB phase may be preceded by a common-envelope evolution. The envelope inflation near the Eddington limit means that this mechanism more likely occurs at high metallicity. Conclusion. Our results open a new perspective for understanding that SGBXs are numerous in our Galaxy and are almost completely absent in the Small Magellanic Cloud. Our results may also offer a way to find more ULX systems, to detect mass transfer on nuclear timescales in ULX systems even with neutron star accretors, and shed new light on the origin of the strong B-field in these neutron stars.

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