scholarly journals Eccentric Neutron Star Disk Driven Type II Outburst Pairs in Be/X-ray Binaries

2021 ◽  
Vol 923 (1) ◽  
pp. L18
Author(s):  
Alessia Franchini ◽  
Rebecca G. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Be Star ◽  
Orbital Periods ◽  
Hydrodynamical Simulations ◽  
X Ray Binaries ◽  
Lower Luminosity

Abstract Be star X-ray binaries are transient systems that show two different types of outbursts. Type I outbursts occur each orbital period while type II outbursts have a period and duration that are not related to any periodicity of the binary system. Type II outbursts may be caused by mass transfer to the neutron star from a highly eccentric Be star disk. A sufficiently misaligned Be star decretion disk undergoes secular Von Zeipel–Lidov–Kozai (ZLK) oscillations of eccentricity and inclination. Observations show that in some systems the type II outbursts come in pairs with the second being of lower luminosity. We use numerical hydrodynamical simulations to explore the dynamics of the highly misaligned disk that forms around the neutron star as a consequence of mass transfer from the Be star disk. We show that the neutron star disk may also be ZLK unstable and that the eccentricity growth leads to an enhancement in the accretion rate onto the neutron star that lasts for several orbital periods, resembling a type II outburst. We suggest that in a type II outburst pair, the first outburst is caused by mass transfer from the eccentric Be star disk while the second and smaller outburst is caused by the eccentric neutron star disk. We find that the timescale between outbursts in a pair may be compatible with the observed estimates.

scholarly journals The X-ray Outbursts of Be/X-ray Transients

2000 ◽  
Vol 175 ◽  
pp. 713-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignacio Negueruela ◽  
Atsuo T. Okazaki
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Disc Model ◽  
Resonant Effect ◽  
X Ray Binaries

AbstractWe present a new scenario for the behaviour of Be/X-ray binaries based on long-term multiwavelength monitoring and the decretion disc model. The circumstellar discs of the primaries are truncated because of the tidal and resonant effect of the neutron star. The geometry of the systems and the value of viscosity determine the presence or absence of Type I X-ray outbursts. The interaction of a strongly disturbed disc with the neutron star originates Type II X-ray and optical outbursts.

scholarly journals Nonperiodic Type I Be/X-Ray Binary Outbursts

2021 ◽  
Vol 922 (2) ◽  
pp. L37
Author(s):  
Rebecca G. Martin ◽  
Alessia Franchini
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Orbital Period ◽  
Type I ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Be Star

Abstract Type I Be/X-ray binary outbursts are driven by mass transfer from a Be star decretion disk to a neutron star companion during each orbital period. Treiber et al. recently observed nonperiodic type I outbursts in RX J0529.8–6556 that has unknown binary orbital properties. We show that nonperiodic type I outbursts may be temporarily driven in a low eccentricity binary with a disk that is inclined sufficiently to be mildly unstable to Kozai–Lidov oscillations. The inclined disk becomes eccentric and material is transferred to the neutron star at up to three locations in each orbit: when the neutron star passes the disk apastron or one of the two nodes of the disk. The timing and magnitude of each vary with the disk argument of periapsis and longitude of the ascending node that precess in opposite directions. Calculating the orbital period of the RX J0529.8–6556 system is nontrivial but we suggest it may be >300 days, longer than previous estimates.

scholarly journals Warped disks during type II outbursts in Be/X-ray binaries: evidence from optical polarimetry

2018 ◽  
Vol 619 ◽  
pp. A19 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Reig ◽  
D. Blinov
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Degree Of Polarization ◽  
Polarization Degree ◽  
Polarization Angle ◽  
Similar Amount ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Line Profiles ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Binaries

Context. Current models that explain giant (type II) X-ray outbursts in Be/X-ray binaries (BeXB), are based on the idea of highly distorted disks. They are believed to occur when a misaligned and warped disk becomes eccentric, allowing the neutron star to capture a large amount of material. The BeXB 4U 0115+63 underwent two major outbursts in 2015 and 2017. Aims. Our aim is to investigate whether the structural changes in the disk expected during type II outbursts can be detected through optical polarimetry. Methods. We present the first optical polarimetric observations and new optical spectra of the BeXB 4U 0115+63 covering the period 2013–2017. We study in detail the shape of the Hα line profile and the polarization parameters before, during, and after the occurrence of a type II X-ray outburst. Results. We find significant changes in polarization degree and polarization angle and highly distorted line profiles during the 2017 X-ray outburst. The degree of polarization decreased by ∼1%, while the polarization angle, which is supposed to be related with the disk orientation, first increased by ∼10° in about two months and then decreased by a similar amount and on a similar timescale once the X-ray activity ceased. Conclusions. We interpret the polarimetric and spectroscopic variability as evidence for the presence of a warped disk.

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.

scholarly journals Super-Eddington Accretion in the Formation of Low-Mass X-ray Binaries and Millisecond Pulsars

1997 ◽  
Vol 163 ◽  
pp. 828-829 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. F. Webbink ◽  
V. Kalogera
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Initial Phase ◽  
Transfer Rate ◽  
Birth Rate ◽  
Mass Transfer Rate ◽  
Millisecond Pulsars ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Orbital Periods ◽  
X Ray Binaries

AbstractConsiderations of donor star stability, age, and mass transfer rate show that low-mass X-ray binaries and binary millisecond pulsars with orbital periods longer than a few days must have survived an initial phase of super-Eddington mass transfer. We review the physical arguments leading to this conclusion, and examine its implications for the apparent discrepancy between the death rate for low-mass X-ray binaries and the birth rate of binary millisecond pulsars.

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 Observations and Evolutionary Scenario For Be/X-Ray Binaries

1987 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 509-513
Author(s):  
G.M.H.J. Habets
Keyword(s):  
Close Binaries ◽  
Disk Accretion ◽  
Primary Star ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Period Distribution ◽  
Evolutionary Scenario ◽  
M 10 ◽  
Be Star ◽  
Orbital Periods ◽  
X Ray Binaries

Rappaport & Van den Heuvel (1982) suggested the following formation scenario for B emission (Be)/X-ray binaries: the progenitor of the neutron star is the initial primary star with mass M1 = 10-20 M⊙, which during hydrogen-shell burning transfers mass to the companion (with M2 < M1). The secondary is spun up due to disk-accretion (e.g. Packet 1981) and has become a rapidly rotating Be star (M ≃ 10-20 M⊙).With this scenario the observed orbital periods (Porb > 15 d) of the Be/X-ray binaries can be explained. This was shown by van den Heuvel (1983) by adopting an idealized period distribution for unevolved O- and B-type close binaries with Porb, < 30 d (see Fig. 1) and assuming conservative evolution, i.e. that mass and angular momentum are conserved during mass transfer.

scholarly journals The origin of pulsating ultra-luminous X-ray sources: Low- and intermediate-mass X-ray binaries containing neutron star accretors

2020 ◽  
Vol 642 ◽  
pp. A174 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Misra ◽  
T. Fragos ◽  
T. M. Tauris ◽  
E. Zapartas ◽  
D. R. Aguilera-Dena
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Binary Systems ◽  
Mass Transfer Rate ◽  
Host Galaxy ◽  
Intermediate Mass ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Mass ◽  
X Ray Binaries ◽  
Eddington Limit

Context. Ultra-luminous X-ray sources (ULXs) are those X-ray sources located away from the centre of their host galaxy with luminosities exceeding the Eddington limit of a stellar-mass black hole (LX >  1039 erg s−1). Observed X-ray variability suggests that ULXs are X-ray binary systems. The discovery of X-ray pulsations in some of these objects (e.g. M82 X-2) suggests that a certain fraction of the ULX population may have a neutron star as the accretor. Aims. We present systematic modelling of low- and intermediate-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs and IMXBs; donor-star mass range 0.92–8.0 M⊙ and neutron-star accretors) to explain the formation of this sub-population of ULXs. Methods. Using MESA, we explored the allowed initial parameter space of binary systems consisting of a neutron star and a low- or intermediate-mass donor star that could explain the observed properties of ULXs. These donors are transferring mass at super-Eddington rates while the accretion is limited locally in the accretion disc by the Eddington limit. Thus, our simulations take into account beaming effects and also include stellar rotation, tides, general angular momentum losses, and a detailed and self-consistent calculation of the mass-transfer rate. Results. Exploring the initial parameters that lead to the formation of neutron-star ULXs, we study the conditions that lead to dynamical stability of these systems, which depends strongly on the response of the donor star to mass loss. Using two values for the initial neutron star mass (1.3 M⊙ and 2.0 M⊙), we present two sets of mass-transfer calculation grids for comparison with observations of NS ULXs. We find that LMXBs/IMXBs can produce NS-ULXs with typical time-averaged isotropic-equivalent X-ray luminosities of between 1039 and 1041 erg s−1 on a timescale of up to ∼1.0 Myr for the lower luminosities. Finally, we estimate their likelihood of detection, the types of white-dwarf remnants left behind by the donors, and the total amount of mass accreted by the neutron stars. Conclusions. We show that observed super-Eddington luminosities can be achieved in LMXBs/IMXBs undergoing non-conservative mass transfer while assuming geometrical beaming. We also compare our results to the observed pulsating ULXs and infer their initial parameters. Our results suggest that a large subset of the observed pulsating ULX population can be explained by LMXBs/IMXBs in a super-Eddington mass-transfer phase.

scholarly journals Be star disk structure as implied by X-ray observations

1994 ◽  
Vol 162 ◽  
pp. 213-215
Author(s):  
Priyamvada Saraswat ◽  
Krishna M.V. Apparao
Keyword(s):  
Orbital Period ◽  
Exact Nature ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Disk Structure ◽  
Be Star ◽  
Orbital Periods ◽  
X Ray Binaries

Compared to several other Be/X-ray binaries, 4U1907+09 has been observed more frequently due to the fact that it is found in an ‘on’ state more often. It also has a short orbital period of ~ 8 days as compared to the long orbital periods commonly found in these binaries. But despite the attention it has received, the exact nature of the primary remains elusive. While some observers maintain it to be a Be/X-ray binary, others prefer to put it into the class of OB supergiants.

scholarly journals Multiwavelength observations of the Be-star/X-ray binary EXO2030+375 during outburst

1994 ◽  
Vol 162 ◽  
pp. 206-207
Author(s):  
A.J. Norton ◽  
M.J. Coe ◽  
C. Everall ◽  
P. Roche ◽  
L. Bildsten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Emission Lines ◽  
Be Stars ◽  
Infrared Excess ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Circumstellar Material ◽  
Spin Period ◽  
Be Star ◽  
Star Surface ◽  
X Ray Binaries

EXO2030+375 consists of a neutron star in an eccentric 46 day orbit around a 20th magnitude Be-star companion (Coe et al., 1988; Parmar et al., 1989; Stollberg et al., 1993). The Be-star is thought to be surrounded by a shell/disc of material which is responsible for the infrared excess and Balmer emission lines which are characteristic of Be-stars in general. At periastron, the neutron star passes through this circumstellar material, giving rise to enhanced accretion onto the neutron star surface. As a result of this, the X-ray emission (pulsed at the neutron star spin period of 41.8s) increases dramatically, so producing the transient, outburst behaviour which is commonly seen in Be-star / X-ray binaries.

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