3,459 research outputs found
Formation of Double Neutron Stars, Millisecond Pulsars and Double Black Holes
The 1982 model for the formation of the Hulse-Taylor binary radio pulsar PSR
B1913+16 is described, which since has become the standard model for the
formation of double neutron stars, confirmed by the 2003 discovery of the
double pulsar system PSR J0737-3039AB. A brief overview is given of the present
status of our knowledge of the double neutron stars, of which 15 systems are
presently known. The binary-recycling model for the formation of millisecond
pulsars is described, as put forward independently by Alpar et al. (1982),
Radhakrishnan and Srinivasan (1982) and Fabian et al. (1983). This now is the
standard model for the formation of these objects, confirmed by the discovery
in 1998 of the accreting millisecond X-ray pulsars. It is noticed that the
formation process of close double black holes has analogies to that of close
double neutron stars, extended to binaries of larger iinitial component masses,
although there are also considerable differences in the physics of the binary
evolution at these larger masses.Comment: Has appeared in Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy special issue
on 'Physics of Neutron Stars and Related Objects', celebrating the 75th birth
year of G. Srinivasa
Could 2S 0114+650 be a magnetar?
We investigate the spin evolution of the binary X-ray pulsar 2S 0114+650,
which possesses the slowest known spin period of hours. We argue
that, to interpret such long spin period, the magnetic field strength of this
pulsar must be initially \gsim 10^{14} G, that is, it was born as a magnetar.
Since the pulsar currently has a normal magnetic field G, our
results present support for magnetic field decay predicted by the magnetar
model.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in ApJ
Long Gamma-Ray Burst Progenitors: Boundary Conditions and Binary Models
The observed association of Long Gamma-Ray Bursts (LGRBs) with peculiar Type
Ic supernovae gives support to Woosley`s collapsar/hypernova model, in which
the GRB is produced by the collapse of the rapidly rotating core of a massive
star to a black hole. The association of LGRBs with small star-forming galaxies
suggests low-metallicity to be a condition for a massive star to evolve to the
collapsar stage. Both completely-mixed single star models and binary star
models are possible. In binary models the progenitor of the GRB is a massive
helium star with a close companion. We find that tidal synchronization during
core-helium burning is reached on a short timescale (less than a few
millennia). However, the strong core-envelope coupling in the subsequent
evolutionary stages is likely to rule out helium stars with main-sequence
companions as progenitors of hypernovae/GRBs. On the other hand, helium stars
in close binaries with a neutron-star or black-hole companion can, despite the
strong core-envelope coupling in the post-helium burning phase, retain
sufficient core angular momentum to produce a hypernova/GRB.Comment: 8 pp., 2 figs, Proceedings of 5th Stromlo Symposiu
New Direct Observational Evidence for Kicks in SNe
We present an updated list of direct strong evidence in favour of kicks being
imparted to newborn neutron stars. In particular we discuss the new cases of
evidence resulting from recent observations of the X-ray binary Circinus X-1
and the newly discovered binary radio pulsar PSR J1141-6545. We conclude that
the assumption that neutron stars receive a kick velocity at their formation is
unavoidable (van den Heuvel & van Paradijs 1997).Comment: 2 pages, to appear in the proceedings of the IAU Colloq. 177 "Pulsar
Astronomy - 2000 and beyond
Beam Energy Considerations for Gold Nano-Particle Enhanced Radiation Treatment
Purpose: A novel approach using nano technology enhanced radiation modalities
is investigated. The proposed methodology uses antibodies labeled with
organically inert metals with a high atomic number. Irradiation using photons
with energies in the kilo--electron volt (keV) range show an increase in dose
due to a combination of an increase in photo-electric interactions and a
pronounced generation of Auger and/or Coster-Kronig (A-CK) electrons.
Methods: The dependency of the dose deposition on various factors is
investigated using Monte Carlo simulation models. The factors investigated
include: agent concentration, spectral dependency looking at mono--energetic
sources as well as classical bremsstrahlung sources. The optimization of the
energy spectrum is performed in terms of physical dose enhancement as well as
the dose deposited by Auger and/or Coster-Kronig electrons and their biological
effectiveness.
Results: A quasi-linear dependency on concentration and an exponential
decrease within the target medium is observed. The maximal dose enhancement is
dependent on the position of the target in the beam. Apart from irradiation
with low photon energies (10 - 20 keV) there is no added benefit from the
increase in generation of Auger electrons. Interestingly, a regular 110kVp
bremsstrahlung spectrum shows a comparable enhancement in comparison with the
optimized mono--energetic sources.
Conclusions: In conclusion we find that the use of nano-particle enhanced
shows promise to be implemented quite easily in regular clinic on a physical
level due to the advantageous properties in classical beams.Comment: Preprint submitted to Phys Med Bio
Comment on "A non-interacting low-mass black hole -- giant star binary system"
Thompson et al. (Reports, 1 November 2019, p. 637, Science) interpreted the
unseen companion of the red giant star 2MASS J05215658+4359220 as most likely a
black hole. We argue that if the red giant is about one solar mass, its
companion can be a close binary consisting of two main-sequence stars. This
would explain why no X-ray emission is detected from the system.Comment: 3 pages, Author version of Technical Comment published in Science on
8 May, 202
A catalogue of low-mass X-ray binaries in the Galaxy, LMC, and SMC (Fourth edition)
We present a new edition of the catalogue of the low-mass X-ray binaries in
the Galaxy and the Magellanic Clouds. The catalogue contains source name(s),
coordinates, finding chart, X-ray luminosity, system parameters, and stellar
parameters of the components and other characteristic properties of 187
low-mass X-ray binaries, together with a comprehensive selection of the
relevant literature. The aim of this catalogue is to provide the reader with
some basic information on the X-ray sources and their counterparts in other
wavelength ranges (-rays, UV, optical, IR, and radio). Some sources,
however, are only tentatively identified as low-mass X-ray binaries on the
basis of their X-ray properties similar to the known low-mass X-ray binaries.
Further identification in other wavelength bands is needed to finally determine
the nature of these sources. In cases where there is some doubt about the
low-mass nature of the X-ray binary this is mentioned. Literature published
before 1 October 2006 has, as far as possible, been taken into account.Comment: 45 pages, catalogue include
Discovery of Two Relativistic Neutron Star-White Dwarf Binaries
We have discovered two recycled pulsars in relativistic orbits as part of the
first high-frequency survey of intermediate Galactic latitudes. PSR J1157-5112
is a 44 ms pulsar and the first recycled pulsar with an ultra-massive (M > 1.14
Mo) white dwarf companion. Millisecond pulsar J1757-5322 is a relativistic
circular-orbit system which will coalesce due to the emission of gravitational
radiation in less than 9.5 Gyr. Of the ~40 known circular orbit pulsars,
J1757-5322 and J1157-5112 have the highest projected orbital velocities. There
are now three local neutron-star/white-dwarf binaries that will coalesce in
less than a Hubble time, implying a large coalescence rate for these objects in
the local Universe. Systems such as J1141-6545 (Kaspi et al. 2000) are
potential gamma-ray burst progenitors and dominate the coalescence rate, whilst
lighter systems make excellent progenitors of millisecond pulsars with
planetary or ultra-low mass companions.Comment: 4 pages, to appear in ApJ Letters. Uses aastex v 5.0,
emulateapj5.sty, apjfonts.st
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