11 research outputs found
Young pre-Low-Mass X-ray Binaries in propeller phase : Nature of the 6.7-hour periodic X-ray source 1E 161348-5055 in RCW 103
Discovery of the 6.7-hour periodicity in the X-ray source 1E 161348-5055 in
RCW 103 has led to investigations of the nature of this periodicity. We explore
a model for 1E 161348-5055, wherein a fast-spinning neutron star with a
magnetic field G in a young pre-Low-Mass X-ray Binary (pre-LMXB)
with an eccentric orbit of period 6.7 hr operates in the "propeller" phase. The
6.7-hr light curve of 1E 161348-5055 can be quantitatively accounted by a model
of orbitally-modulated mass transfer through a viscous accretion disk and
subsequent propeller emission (both Illarionov-Sunyaev type and
Romanova-Lovelace et al type), and spectral and other properties are also in
agreement. Formation and evolution of model systems are shown to be in
accordance both with standard theories.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and
Astrophysics on 23/08/200
X-ray emission from isolated neutron stars
X-ray emission is a common feature of all varieties of isolated neutron stars
(INS) and, thanks to the advent of sensitive instruments with good
spectroscopic, timing, and imaging capabilities, X-ray observations have become
an essential tool in the study of these objects. Non-thermal X-rays from young,
energetic radio pulsars have been detected since the beginning of X-ray
astronomy, and the long-sought thermal emission from cooling neutron star's
surfaces can now be studied in detail in many pulsars spanning different ages,
magnetic fields, and, possibly, surface compositions. In addition, other
different manifestations of INS have been discovered with X-ray observations.
These new classes of high-energy sources, comprising the nearby X-ray Dim
Isolated Neutron Stars, the Central Compact Objects in supernova remnants, the
Anomalous X-ray Pulsars, and the Soft Gamma-ray Repeaters, now add up to
several tens of confirmed members, plus many candidates, and allow us to study
a variety of phenomena unobservable in "standard'' radio pulsars.Comment: Chapter to be published in the book of proceedings of the 1st Sant
Cugat Forum on Astrophysics, "ICREA Workshop on the high-energy emission from
pulsars and their systems", held in April, 201