scholarly journals X-ray emissions from magnetic polar regions of neutron stars

2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hajime Inoue
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Neutron Stars ◽  
Radiation Energy ◽  
Tangential Direction ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Pencil Beam ◽  
Photon Diffusion ◽  
Polar Cone ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Surface

Abstract Structures of X-ray emitting magnetic polar regions on neutron stars in X-ray pulsars are studied in the accretion rate range 1017 g s−1–1018 g s−1. It is shown that a thin but tall, radiation-energy-dominated, X-ray emitting polar cone appears at each of the polar regions. The height of the polar cone is several times as large as the neutron star radius. The energy gain due to the gravity of the neutron star in the polar cone exceeds the energy loss due to photon diffusion in the azimuthal direction of the cone, and a significant amount of energy is advected to the neutron star surface. Then, the radiation energy carried with the flow should become large enough for the radiation pressure to overcome the magnetic pressure at the bottom of the cone. As a result, the matter should expand in the tangential direction along the neutron star surface, dragging the magnetic lines of force, and form a mound-like structure. The advected energy to the bottom of the cone should finally be radiated away from the surface of the polar mound and the matter should be settled on the neutron star surface there. From such configurations, we can expect an X-ray spectrum composed of a multi-color blackbody spectrum from the polar cone region and a quasi-single blackbody spectrum from the polar mound region. These spectral properties agree with observations. A combination of a fairly sharp pencil beam and a broad fan beam is expected from the polar cone region, while a broad pencil beam is expected from the polar mound region. With these X-ray beam properties, basic patterns of pulse profiles of X-ray pulsars can be explained too.

scholarly journals Einstein Observatory Limits on Neutron Star Surface Temperatures

1987 ◽  
Vol 125 ◽  
pp. 457-457
Author(s):  
F.R. Harnden
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Neutron Stars ◽  
Supernova Remnants ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Models ◽  
Formation And Evolution ◽  
Star Surface ◽  
Einstein Observatory

For years the theoretical models of neutron star formation and evolution had remained largely unconstrained by observation. Following the Einstein X-ray Observatory surveys of supernova remnants and pulsars, however, strict temperature limits were placed on many putative neutron stars. The Einstein search for additional objects in the class of supernova remnants with embedded pulsars has increased the number of such objects by two. For the four objects in this class, the surface temperature limits (see Table 1) provide meaningful logically sound constraints on the neutron star models. For the future, however, still better X-ray observations are needed, both to increase the number of objects available for study and to refine the spatial and spectral capabilities of the X-ray measurements.

scholarly journals Extreme Ultraviolet Emission from Neutron Stars

1996 ◽  
Vol 152 ◽  
pp. 437-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.S. Foster ◽  
J. Edelstein ◽  
S. Bowyer
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Neutron Stars ◽  
Power Law ◽  
Extreme Ultraviolet ◽  
Millisecond Pulsar ◽  
Polar Cap ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Euv Emission ◽  
Standard Neutron ◽  
Star Surface

We summarize the detections of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) emission from neutron stars. Three firm detections have been made of spin-powered pulsars: the aged millisecond pulsar PSR J0437−4715, the middle-aged X-ray pulsar Geminga, and the radio pulsar PSR B0656+14. These observations allow us to evaluate both power-law and thermal-law emission models as the source of the EUV flux. For the case of PSR B0656+14 the lack of flux modulation with pulse period argues that the EUV radiation originates from the cooling neutron star surface rather than from a hot polar cap. If the emission is from a thermalized neutron star surface, then limits can be placed on the surface temperature. For the case of Geminga we can explain the observed EUV flux using thermal models that are consistent with standard neutron cooling scenarios. We also have a weak indication that the EUV emission from Geminga is pulsed in a manner consistent with the lowest energy channel observed with Rosat. For the case of the millisecond pulsar PSR J0437−4715 standard neutron star cooling models require surface re-heating. We compare different heating models to the data on this object. We rule out re-heating by crust-core friction, and find that models for the accretion from the interstellar medium, accretion from the white dwarf companion and a particle-wind nebula do not account for the EUV luminosity. Models of pulsar re-heating by magnetic monopole catalysis of nucleon decay are used to establish new limits to the flux of monopoles in the Galaxy. A single power-law source with properties derived from X-ray data cannot explain the EUV flux from PSR J0437−4715. The strongest model for explaining the EUV emission consists of a large ~ 3 km2 polar cap heated from particle production in the pulsar magnetic field. We consider the prospects for detecting other neutron stars in the extreme ultraviolet.

DO YOUNG NEUTRON STARS WHICH SHOW THEMSELVES AS AXPs AND SGRs ACCRETE?

2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (05) ◽  
pp. 825-831 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. O. TAGIEVA ◽  
E. YAZGAN ◽  
A. ANKAY
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Neutron Stars ◽  
Supernova Explosion ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Binaries

We examined the fall-back disk models, and in general accretion, proposed to explain the properties of AXPs and SGRs. We checked the possibility of some gas remaining around the neutron star after a supernova explosion. We also compared AXPs and SGRs with the X-ray pulsars in X-ray binaries. We conclude that the existing models of accretion from a fall-back disk are insufficient to explain the nature of AXPs and SGRs.

scholarly journals Discovery of accretion-driven pulsations in the prolonged low X-ray luminosity state of the Be/X-ray transient GX 304–1

2018 ◽  
Vol 620 ◽  
pp. L13 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Rouco Escorial ◽  
J. van den Eijnden ◽  
R. Wijnands
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Stable State ◽  
Type I ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Monitoring Campaign ◽  
Spin Period ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Many ◽  
Low X ◽  
Star Surface

We present our Swift monitoring campaign of the slowly rotating neutron star Be/X-ray transient GX 304–1 (spin period of ∼275 s) when the source was not in outburst. We found that between its type I outbursts, the source recurrently exhibits a slowly decaying low-luminosity state (with luminosities of 1034 − 35 erg s−1). This behaviour is very similar to what has been observed for another slowly rotating system, GRO J1008–57. For that source, this low-luminosity state has been explained in terms of accretion from a non-ionised (“cold”) accretion disc. Because of the many similarities between the two systems, we suggest that GX 304–1 enters a similar accretion regime between its outbursts. The outburst activity of GX 304–1 ceased in 2016. Our continued monitoring campaign shows that the source is in a quasi-stable low-luminosity state (with luminosities a few factors lower than previously seen) for at least one year now. Using our NuSTAR observation in this state, we found pulsations at the spin period, demonstrating that the X-ray emission is due to accretion of matter onto the neutron star surface. If the accretion geometry during this quasi-stable state is the same as during the cold-disc state, then matter indeed reaches the surface (as predicted) during this later state. We discuss our results in the context of the cold-disc accretion model.

scholarly journals Physical Processes and Parameters in the Magnetosphere of NP 0532

1971 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 394-406
Author(s):  
F. Pacini
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Neutron Stars ◽  
Supernova Remnants ◽  
Crab Nebula ◽  
General Relation ◽  
Energy Generation ◽  
Main Pulse ◽  
Physical Processes ◽  
X Ray ◽  
The Crab Nebula

The Crab Nebula pulsar conforms to the model of a rotating magnetised neutron star in the rate of energy generation and the exponent of the rotation law.It is suggested that the main pulse is due to electrons and the precursor to protons. Both must radiate in coherent bunches. Optical and X-ray radiation is by the synchrotron process.The wisps observed in the Nebula may represent the release of an instability storing about 1043 erg and 1047–48 particles.Finally, some considerations are made about the general relation between supernova remnants and rotating neutron stars.

scholarly journals The X-Ray Timing Explorer

1990 ◽  
Vol 123 ◽  
pp. 89-110
Author(s):  
H. V. Bradt ◽  
A. M. Levine ◽  
E. H. Morgan ◽  
R. A. Remillard ◽  
J. H. Swank ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Neutron Stars ◽  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Proportional Counter ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Sky Monitor ◽  
Proportional Counter Array ◽  
Millisecond Timing

AbstractThe capabilities of the X-ray Timing Explorer (XTE) are described with particular attention paid to current scientific problems it will address from galactic neutron star systems to active galactic nuclei. It features a low-background continuous 2-200 keV response with large apertures (a 0.63-m2 proportional counter array and a 0.16-m2 dual rocking NaI/CsI scintillation array). Rapid response (in hours) to temporal phenomena, e.g. transients, is obtained by virtue of a scanning all-sky monitor and rapid maneuverability. XTE will carry out detailed energy-resolved studies of phenomena close to neutron stars (e.g. QPO’s) because of its sub-millisecond timing (to 10 μs), its high telemetry rates (to 256 kb/s), and the high throughput of its data system (to ≳ 2 × 105 c s−1).

scholarly journals X-ray Emission Characteristics of Pulsars

2000 ◽  
Vol 195 ◽  
pp. 49-60
Author(s):  
W. Becker
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Neutron Stars ◽  
Emission Characteristics ◽  
Millisecond Pulsars ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Emission Properties ◽  
Important Progress

Recent X-ray observatories such as ROSAT, ASCA, RXTE, BeppoSAX, and Chandra have achieved important progress in neutron star and pulsar astronomy. The identification of Geminga as a rotation-powered pulsar, the discovery of X-ray emission from millisecond pulsars, and the identification of cooling neutron stars are only a few of the fascinating results. In the following, I will give a brief review on the X-ray emission properties of rotation-powered pulsars and their wind nebulae.

scholarly journals Astrophysical implications of neutron star inspiral and coalescence

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 2041015
Author(s):  
John L. Friedman ◽  
Nikolaos Stergioulas
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Equation Of State ◽  
Neutron Stars ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Maximum Mass ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Spectral Bands ◽  
Heaviest Elements ◽  
X Ray Binaries

The first inspiral of two neutron stars observed in gravitational waves was remarkably close, allowing the kind of simultaneous gravitational wave and electromagnetic observation that had not been expected for several years. Their merger, followed by a gamma-ray burst and a kilonova, was observed across the spectral bands of electromagnetic telescopes. These GW and electromagnetic observations have led to dramatic advances in understanding short gamma-ray bursts; determining the origin of the heaviest elements; and determining the maximum mass of neutron stars. From the imprint of tides on the gravitational waveforms and from observations of X-ray binaries, one can extract the radius and deformability of inspiraling neutron stars. Together, the radius, maximum mass, and causality constrain the neutron-star equation of state, and future constraints can come from observations of post-merger oscillations. We selectively review these results, filling in some of the physics with derivations and estimates.

scholarly journals Accretion onto Magnetized Neutron Stars: Polar Cap Flow and Centrifugally Driven Winds

1987 ◽  
Vol 125 ◽  
pp. 207-225
Author(s):  
Jonathan Arons
Keyword(s):  
Angular Momentum ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Neutron Stars ◽  
Orbital Evolution ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Polar Cap ◽  
Periodic Oscillations ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Polar Caps ◽  
Basic Concepts

Some basic concepts of accretion onto the polar caps of magnetized neutron stars are reviewed. Preliminary results of new, multidimensional, time–dependent calculations of polar cap flow are outlined, and are used to suggest the possible observability of fluctuations in the X–ray intensity of accretion powered pulsars on time scales of 10–100 msec. The possible relevance of such fluctuations to Quasi–Periodic oscillations is suggested. Basic concepts of the interaction between a disk and the magnetosphere of a neutron star are also discussed. Some recent work on the disk–magnetosphere interaction is outlined, leading to the suggestion that a neutron star can lose angular momentum by driving some or all of the mass in the disk off as a centrifugally driven wind. The relevance of such mass loss to the orbital evolution of the binary is pointed out.

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