Magnetic Hydrogen Atmosphere Models and the Neutron Star RX J1856.5-3754

RX J1856.5-3754 is one of the brightest nearby isolated neutron stars, and considerable observational resources have been devoted to it. However, current models are unable to satisfactorily explain the data. We show that our latest models of a thin, magnetic, partially ionized hydrogen atmosphere on top of a condensed surface can fit the entire spectrum, from X-rays to optical, of RX J1856.5-3754, within the uncertainties. In our simplest model, the best-fit parameters are an interstellar column density N_H \approx 1x10^20 cm^-2 and an emitting area with R^infty \approx 17 km (assuming a distance to RX J1856.5-3754 of 140 pc), temperature T^infty \approx 4.3x10^5 K, gravitational redshift z_g \sim 0.22, atmospheric hydrogen column y_H \approx 1 g cm^-2, and magnetic field B \approx (3-4)x10^12 G; the values for the temperature and magnetic field indicate an effective average over the surface. We also calculate a more realistic model, which accounts for magnetic field and temperature variations over the neutron star surface as well as general relativistic effects, to determine pulsations; we find there exist viewing geometries that produce pulsations near the currently observed limits. The origin of the thin atmospheres required to fit the data is an important question, and we briefly discuss mechanisms for producing these atmospheres. Our model thus represents the most self-consistent picture to date for explaining all the observations of RX J1856.5-3754.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures; MNRAS, accepte

Absorption Features in Spectra of Magnetized Neutron Stars

The X-ray spectra of some magnetized isolated neutron stars (NSs) show absorption features with equivalent widths (EWs) of 50 - 200 eV, whose nature is not yet well known. To explain the prominent absorption features in the soft X-ray spectra of the highly magnetized (B ~ 10^{14} G) X-ray dim isolated NSs (XDINSs), we theoretically investigate different NS local surface models, including naked condensed iron surfaces and partially ionized hydrogen model atmospheres, with semi-infinite and thin atmospheres above the condensed surface. We also developed a code for computing light curves and integral emergent spectra of magnetized neutron stars with various temperature and magnetic field distributions over the NS surface. We compare the general properties of the computed and observed light curves and integral spectra for XDINS RBS\,1223 and conclude that the observations can be explained by a thin hydrogen atmosphere above the condensed iron surface, while the presence of a strong toroidal magnetic field component on the XDINS surface is unlikely. We suggest that the harmonically spaced absorption features in the soft X-ray spectrum of the central compact object (CCO) 1E 1207.4-5209 (hereafter 1E 1207) correspond to peaks in the energy dependence of the free-free opacity in a quantizing magnetic field, known as quantum oscillations. To explore observable properties of these quantum oscillations, we calculate models of hydrogen NS atmospheres with B ~ 10^{10} - 10^{11} G (i.e., electron cyclotron energy E_{c,e} ~ 0.1 - 1 keV) and T_eff = 1 - 3 MK. Such conditions are thought to be typical for 1E 1207. We show that observable features at the electron cyclotron harmonics with EWs \approx 100 - 200 eV can arise due to these quantum oscillations.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, conference "Astrophysics of Neutron Stars - 2010" in honor of M. Ali Alpar, Izmir, Turke

Radiative properties of highly magnetized isolated neutron star surfaces and approximate treatment of absorption features in their spectra

In the X-ray spectra of most X-ray dim isolated neutron stars (XDINSs) absorption features with equivalent widths (EWs) of 50 -- 200 eV are observed. We theoretically investigate different models to explain absorption features and compare their properties with the observations. We consider various theoretical models for the magnetized neutron star surface: naked condensed iron surfaces and partially ionized hydrogen model atmospheres, including semi-infinite and thin atmospheres above a condensed surface. The properties of the absorption features (especially equivalent widths) and the angular distributions of the emergent radiation are described for all models. A code for computing light curves and integral emergent spectra of magnetized neutron stars is developed. We assume a dipole surface magnetic field distribution with a possible toroidal component and corresponding temperature distribution. A model with two uniform hot spots at the magnetic poles can also be employed. Light curves and spectra of highly magnetized neutron stars with parameters typical for XDINSs are computed using different surface temperature distributions and various local surface models. Spectra of magnetized model atmospheres are approximated by diluted blackbody spectra with one or two Gaussian lines having parameters, which allow us to describe the model absorption features. To explain the prominent absorption features in the soft X-ray spectra of XDINSs a thin atmosphere above the condensed surface can be invoked, whereas a strong toroidal magnetic field component on the XDINS surfaces can be excluded.Comment: 54 pages, 17 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Radiative properties of magnetic neutron stars with metallic surfaces and thin atmospheres

Context. Simple models fail to describe the observed spectra of X-ray-dim isolated neutron stars (XDINSs). Interpretating these spectra requires detailed studies of radiative properties in the outermost layers of neutron stars with strong magnetic fields. Previous studies have shown that the strongly magnetized plasma in the outer envelopes of a neutron star may exhibit a phase transition to a condensed form. In this case thermal radiation can emerge directly from the metallic surface without going through a gaseous atmosphere, or alternatively, it may pass through a "thin" atmosphere above the surface. The multitude of theoretical possibilities complicates modeling the spectra and makes it desirable to have analytic formulae for constructing samples of models without going through computationally expensive, detailed calculations. Aims. The goal of this work is to develop a simple analytic description of the emission properties (spectrum and polarization) of the condensed, strongly magnetized surface of neutron stars. Methods. We have improved our earlier work for calculating the spectral properties of condensed magnetized surfaces. Using the improved method, we calculated the reflectivity of an iron surface at magnetic field strengths B ∼ 10 12 G-10 14 G, with various inclinations of the magnetic field lines and radiation beam with respect to the surface and each other. We constructed analytic expressions for the emissivity of this surface as functions of the photon energy, magnetic field strength, and the three angles that determine the geometry of the local problem. Using these expressions, we calculated X-ray spectra for neutron stars with condensed iron surfaces covered by thin partially ionized hydrogen atmospheres. Results. We develop simple analytic descriptions of the intensity and polarization of radiation emitted or reflected by condensed iron surfaces of neutron stars with the strong magnetic fields typical of isolated neutron stars. This description provides boundary conditions at the bottom of a thin atmosphere, which are more accurate than previously used approximations. The spectra calculated with this improvement show different absorption features from those in simplified models. Conclusions. The approach developed in this paper yields results that can facilitate modeling and interpretation of the X-ray spectra of isolated, strongly magnetized, thermally emitting neutron stars. © 2012 ESO

Spatial Structure and Collisionless Electron Heating in Balmer-dominated Shocks

Balmer-dominated shocks in supernova remnants (SNRs) produce strong hydrogen lines with a two-component profile composed of a narrow contribution from cold upstream hydrogen atoms, and a broad contribution from hydrogen atoms that have undergone charge transfer reactions with hot protons. Observations of emission lines from edge-wise shocks in SNRs can constrain the gas velocity and collisionless electron heating at the shock front. Downstream hydrogen atoms engage in charge transfer, excitation and ionization reactions, defining an interaction region called the shock transition zone. The properties of hot hydrogen atoms produced by charge transfers (called broad neutrals) are critical for accurately calculating the structure and radiation from the shock transition zone. This paper is the third in a series describing the kinetic, fluid and emission properties of Balmer-dominated shocks, and is the first to properly treat the effect of broad neutral kinetics on shock transition zone structure. We use our models to extract shock parameters from observations of Balmer-dominated SNRs. We find that inferred shock velocities and electron temperatures are lower than those of previous calculations by <10% for v_s<1500 km/s, and by 10-30% for v_s>1500 km/s. This effect is primarily due to the fact that excitation by proton collisions and charge transfer to excited levels favor the high speed part of the neutral hydrogen velocity distribution. Our results have a strong dependence on the ratio of electron to proton temperatures, \beta=T_e/T_p, which allows us to construct a relation \beta(v_s) between the temperature ratio and shock velocity. We compare our calculations to previous results by Ghavamian et al. (2007).Comment: 41 pages, 15 figures, 2 tables. Improved comparison to previous results, added discussion, and incorporated referee's suggestions. Submitted to Ap

Radiative properties of highly magnetized isolated neutron star surfaces and approximate treatment of absorption features in their spectra

Context. In the X-ray spectra of most X-ray dim isolated neutron stars (XDINSs), absorption features with equivalent widths (EWs) of 50-200 eV are observed. These features are usually connected with the proton cyclotron line, but their nature is not yet well known. Aims. We theoretically investigate different models to explain these absorption features and compare their properties with observations to obtain a clearer understanding of the radiation properties of magnetized neutron star surfaces. Based on these models, we create a fast and flexible code to fit observed spectra of isolated neutron stars. Methods. We consider various theoretical models of the magnetized neutron star surface, including naked condensed iron surfaces and partially ionized hydrogen model atmospheres, with semi-infinite and thin atmospheres above a condensed surface. Spectra of condensed iron surfaces are represented by a simple analytical approximation. The condensed surface radiation properties are considered as the inner atmosphere boundary condition for the thin atmosphere. The properties of the absorption features (especially equivalent widths) and the angular distributions of the emergent radiation are described for all models. A code for computing light curves and integral emergent spectra of magnetized neutron stars is developed. We assume a dipole surface magnetic field distribution with a possible toroidal component and corresponding temperature distribution. A model with two uniform hot spots at the magnetic poles may also be employed. Results. Light curves and spectra of highly magnetized neutron stars with parameters typical of XDINSs are computed using different surface temperature distributions and various local surface models. Spectra of magnetized model atmospheres are approximated by diluted black-body spectra with one or two Gaussian lines having parameters, which allow us to describe the model absorption features. The EWs of the absorption features in the integral spectra cannot significantly exceed 100 eV, if a local surface model assumes either a semi-infinite magnetic atmosphere or a naked condensed surface. A thin atmosphere above a condensed surface can have an absorption feature whose EW exceeds 200 eV in the integrated spectrum. If the toroidal component of the magnetic field on the neutron star atmosphere is 3-7 times higher than the poloidal component, the absorption feature in the integral spectrum is too wide and shallow to be detectable. Conclusions. To explain the prominent absorption features in the soft X-ray spectra of XDINSs, we infer that a thin atmosphere above the condensed surface must be present, whereas a strong toroidal magnetic field component on the XDINS surfaces can be excluded. © 2010 ESO

Nonideal strongly magnetized plasmas of neutron stars and their electromagnetic radiation

We study the equation of state, polarization and radiation properties for nonideal, strongly magnetized plasmas which compose outer envelopes of magnetic neutron stars. Detailed calculations are performed for partially ionized hydrogen atmospheres and for condensed hydrogen or iron surfaces of these stars. This is a companion paper to astro-ph/0511803Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures. Invited topical talk at Strongly Coupled Coulomb Systems (Moscow, June 20-25, 2005); to appear in Journal of Physics

Surface structure of Quark stars with magnetic fields

We investigate the impact of magnetic fields on the electron distribution in the electrosphere of quark stars. For moderately strong magnetic fields $B\sim 10^{13}$G, quantization effects are generally weak due to the large number density of electrons at surface, but can nevertheless affect the spectral features of quark stars. We outline the main observational characteristics of quark stars as determined by their surface emission, and briefly discuss their formation in explosive events termed Quark-Novae, which may be connected to the $r$-process.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures. Contribution to the proceedings of the IXth Workshop on High Energy Physics Phenomenology (WHEPP-9), Bhubaneswar, India, 3-14 Jan. 200

Absorption features in spectra of magnetized neutron stars

The X-ray spectra of some magnetized isolated neutron stars (NSs) show absorption features with equivalent widths (EWs) of 50-200 eV, whose nature is not yet well known. To explain the prominent absorption features in the soft X-ray spectra of the highly magnetized (B∼1014G) X-ray dim isolated NSs (XDINSs), we theoretically investigate different NS local surface models, including naked condensed iron surfaces and partially ionized hydrogen model atmospheres, with semi-infinite and thin atmospheres above the condensed surface. We also developed a code for computing light curves and integral emergent spectra of magnetized neutron stars with various temperature and magnetic field distributions over the NS surface. We compare the general properties of the computed and observed light curves and integral spectra for XDINS RBS 1223 and conclude that the observations can be explained by a thin hydrogen atmosphere above the condensed iron surface, while the presence of a strong toroidal magnetic field component on the XDINS surface is unlikely. We suggest that the harmonically spaced absorption features in the soft X-ray spectrum of the central compact object (CCO) 1E 1207.4-5209 (hereafter 1E 1207) correspond to peaks in the energy dependence of the free-free opacity in a quantizing magnetic field, known as quantum oscillations. To explore observable properties of these quantum oscillations, we calculate models of hydrogen NS atmospheres with B∼1010-1011G (i.e., electron cyclotron energy Ec,e∼0.1-1keV) and Teff=1-3MK. Such conditions are thought to be typical for 1E 1207. We show that observable features at the electron cyclotron harmonics with EWs ≈100-200eV can arise due to these quantum oscillations. © 2011 American Institute of Physics

Models of hydrostatic magnetar atmospheres at high luminosities

We investigate the possibility of Photospheric Radius Expansion (PRE) during magnetar bursts. Identification of PRE would enable a determination of the magnetic Eddington limit (which depends on field strength and neutron star mass and radius), and shed light on the burst mechanism. To do this we model hydrostatic atmospheres in a strong radial magnetic field, determining both their maximum extent and photospheric temperatures. We find that spatially-extended atmospheres cannot exist in such a field configuration: typical maximum extent for magnetar-strength fields is ~10 m (as compared to 200 km in the non-magnetic case). Achieving balance of gravitational and radiative forces over a large range of radii, which is critical to the existence of extended atmospheres, is rendered impossible in strong fields due to the dependence of opacities on temperature and field strength. We conclude that high luminosity bursts in magnetars do not lead to expansion and cooling of the photosphere, as in the non-magnetic case. We also find the maximum luminosity that can propagate through a hydrostatic magnetar atmosphere to be lower than previous estimates. The proximity and small extent of the photospheres associated with the two different polarization modes also calls into question the interpretation of two blackbody fits to magnetar burst spectra as being due to extended photospheres.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 14 pages, 6 figures, 2 table