846 research outputs found
Expected Coalescence Rate of Double Neutron Stars for Ground Based Interferometers
In this paper we present new estimates of the coalescence rate of neutron
star binaries in the local universe and we discuss its consequences for the
first generations of ground based interferometers. Our approach based on both
evolutionary and statistical methods gives a galactic merging rate of 1.7
10 yr, in the range of previous estimates 10 - 10
yr. The local rate which includes the contribution of elliptical
galaxies is two times higher, in the order of 3.4 10 yr. We
predict one detection every 148 and 125 years with initial VIRGO and LIGO, and
up to 6 events per year with their advanced configuration. Our recent detection
rate estimates from investigations on VIRGO future improvements are quoted.Comment: talk given at the GWDAW9 (Annecy, 2004) to be published in CQ
The Evolution of Globular Clusters in the Galaxy
We investigate the evolution of globular clusters using N-body calculations
and anisotropic Fokker-Planck (FP) calculations. The models include a mass
spectrum, mass loss due to stellar evolution, and the tidal field of the parent
galaxy. Recent N-body calculations have revealed a serious discrepancy between
the results of N-body calculations and isotropic FP calculations. The main
reason for the discrepancy is an oversimplified treatment of the tidal field
employed in the isotropic FP models. In this paper we perform a series of
calculations with anisotropic FP models with a better treatment of the tidal
boundary and compare these with N-body calculations. The new tidal boundary
condition in our FP model includes one free parameter. We find that a single
value of this parameter gives satisfactory agreement between the N-body and FP
models over a wide range of initial conditions.
Using the improved FP model, we carry out an extensive survey of the
evolution of globular clusters over a wide range of initial conditions varying
the slope of the mass function, the central concentration, and the relaxation
time. The evolution of clusters is followed up to the moment of core collapse
or the disruption of the clusters in the tidal field of the parent galaxy. In
general, our model clusters, calculated with the anisotropic FP model with the
improved treatment for the tidal boundary, live longer than isotropic models.
The difference in the lifetime between the isotropic and anisotropic models is
particularly large when the effect of mass loss via stellar evolution is rather
significant. On the other hand the difference is small for relaxation-
dominated clusters which initially have steep mass functions and high central
concentrations.Comment: 36 pages, 11 figures, LaTeX; added figures and tables; accepted by
Ap
Expected coalescence rates of NS-NS binaries for laser beam interferometers
The coalescence rate of two neutron stars (NS) is revisited. For estimation
of the number of bound NS-NS and the probability of their coalescence in a
timescale , the galactic star formation history, directly derived from
observations, and the evolution of massive stars are considered. The newly
established galactic merging rate is ,
while the local merging rate, including the contribution of elliptical
galaxies, is about a factor of two higher, . Using
the present data basis on galaxy distribution in the local universe and the
expected sensitivity of the first generation of laser beam interferometers, we
estimate that one event should occur every 125 years for LIGO and one event
each 148 years for VIRGO. The situation is considerably improved for
advanced-LIGO since we predict that 6 events per year should be detected
whereas for a recently proposed VIRGO new configuration, the event rate might
increase up to 3 events every two years.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figures accepted for publication in IJMP
On the Theory of Gamma Ray Bursts and Hypernovae: The Black Hole Soft X-ray Transient Sources
We show that a common evolutionary history can produce the black hole
binaries in the Galaxy in which the black holes have masses of ~ 5-10 M_sun. In
with low-mass, <~ 2.5 M_sun, ZAMS (zero age main sequence) companions, the
latter remain in main sequence during the active stage of soft X-ray transients
(SXTs), most of them being of K or M classification. In two intermediate cases,
IL Lupi and Nova Scorpii with ZAMS ~ 2.5 M_sun companions the orbits are
greatly widened because of large mass loss in the explosion forming the black
hole, and whereas these companions are in late main sequence evolution, they
are close to evolving. Binaries with companion ZAMS masses >~ 3 M_sun are
initially "silent" until the companion begins evolving across the Herzsprung
gap. We provide evidence that the narrower, shorter period binaries, with
companions now in main sequence, are fossil remnants of gamma ray bursters
(GRBs). We also show that the GRB is generally accompanied by a hypernova
explosion (a very energetic supernova explosion). We further show that the
binaries with evolved companions are good models for some of the ultraluminous
X-ray sources (ULXs) recently seen by Chandra in other galaxies. The great
regularity in our evolutionary history, especially the fact that most of the
companions of ZAMS mass <~ 2.5 M_sun remain in main sequences as K or M stars
can be explained by the mass loss in common envelope evolution to be Case C;
i.g., to occur only after core He burning has finished. Since our argument for
Case C mass transfer is not generally understood in the community, we add an
appendix, showing that with certain assumptions which we outline we can
reproduce the regularities in the evolution of black hole binaries by Case C
mass transfer.Comment: 59 pages, 12 figures, review articl
Interactions of Ar(9+) and metastable Ar(8+) with a Si(100) surface at velocities near the image acceleration limit
Auger LMM spectra and preliminary model simulations of Ar(9+) and metastable
Ar(8+) ions interacting with a clean monocrystalline n-doped Si(100) surface
are presented. By varying the experimental parameters, several yet undiscovered
spectroscopic features have been observed providing valuable hints for the
development of an adequate interaction model. On our apparatus the ion beam
energy can be lowered to almost mere image charge attraction. High data
acquisition rates could still be maintained yielding an unprecedented
statistical quality of the Auger spectra.Comment: 34 pages, 11 figures, http://pikp28.uni-muenster.de/~ducree
Chemical Abundances in the Secondary Star in the Black Hole Binary A0620-00
Using a high resolution spectrum of the secondary star in the black hole
binary A0620-00, we have derived the stellar parameters and veiling caused by
the accretion disk in a consistent way. We have used a chi^2 minimization
procedure to explore a grid of 800 000 LTE synthetic spectra computed for a
plausible range of both stellar and veiling parameters. Adopting the best model
parameters found, we have determined atmospheric abundances of Fe, Ca, Ti, Ni
and Al. The Fe abundance of the star is [Fe/H]=0.14 +- 0.20. Except for Ca, we
found the other elements moderately over-abundant as compared with stars in the
solar neighborhood of similar iron content. Taking into account the small
orbital separation, the mass transfer rate and the mass of the convection zone
of the secondary star, a comparison with element yields in supernova explosion
models suggests a possible explosive event with a mass cut comparable to the
current mass of the compact object. We have also analyzed the Li abundance,
which is unusually high for a star of this spectral type and relatively low
mass.Comment: 32 pages, 5 tables and 11 figures, uses rotate.st
Gravitational waves from inspiraling binary black holes
Binary black holes are the most promising candidate sources for the first
generation of earth-based interferometric gravitational-wave detectors. We
summarize and discuss the state-of-the-art analytic techniques developed during
the last years to better describe the late dynamical evolution of binary black
holes of comparable masses.Comment: References added and updated; few typos correcte
Dynamical Processes in Globular Clusters
Globular clusters are among the most congested stellar systems in the
Universe. Internal dynamical evolution drives them toward states of high
central density, while simultaneously concentrating the most massive stars and
binary systems in their cores. As a result, these clusters are expected to be
sites of frequent close encounters and physical collisions between stars and
binaries, making them efficient factories for the production of interesting and
observable astrophysical exotica. I describe some elements of the competition
among stellar dynamics, stellar evolution, and other processes that control
globular cluster dynamics, with particular emphasis on pathways that may lead
to the formation of blue stragglers.Comment: Chapter 10, in Ecology of Blue Straggler Stars, H.M.J. Boffin, G.
Carraro & G. Beccari (Eds), Astrophysics and Space Science Library, Springe
Nova Sco and coalescing low mass black hole binaries as LIGO sources
Double neutron star binaries, analogous to the well known Hulse--Taylor
pulsar PSR 1913+16, are guaranteed-to-exist sources of high frequency
gravitational radiation detectable by LIGO. There is considerable uncertainty
in the estimated rate of coalescence of such systems, with conservative
estimates of ~1 per million years per galaxy, and optimistic theoretical
estimates one or more magnitude larger. Formation rates of low-mass black
hole-neutron star binaries may be higher than those of NS-NS binaries, and may
dominate the detectable LIGO signal rate.
We estimate the enhanced coalescence rate for BH-BH binaries due to weak
asymmetric kicks during the formation of low mass black holes like Nova Sco,
and find they may contribute significantly to the LIGO signal rate, possibly
dominating the phase I detectable signals if the range of BH masses for which
there is significant kick is broad enough. For a standard Salpeter IMF,
assuming mild natal kicks, we project that the R6 merger rate of BH-BH systems
is ~0.5, smaller than that of NS-NS systems. However, the higher chirp mass of
these systems produces a signal nearly four times greater, on average, with a
commensurate increase in search volume.
The BH-BH coalescence channel considered here also predicts that a
substantial fraction of BH-BH systems should have at least one component with
near-maximal spin (a/M ~ 1).The waveforms produced by the coalescence of such a
system should produce a clear spin signature, so this hypothesis could be
directly tested by LIGO.Comment: 16 pages, LaTeX/AASTeX, 5 figure
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