6 research outputs found
Mechanisms for High-frequency QPOs in Neutron Star and Black Hole Binaries
We explain the millisecond variability detected by Rossi X-ray Timing
Explorer (RXTE) in the X-ray emission from a number of low mass X-ray binary
systems (Sco X-1, 4U1728-34, 4U1608-522, 4U1636-536, 4U0614+091, 4U1735-44,
4U1820-30, GX5-1 and etc) in terms of dynamics of the centrifugal barrier, a
hot boundary region surrounding a neutron star. We demonstrate that this region
may experience the relaxation oscillations, and that the displacements of a gas
element both in radial and vertical directions occur at the same main
frequency, of order of the local Keplerian frequency. We show the importance of
the effect of a splitting of the main frequency produced by the Coriolis force
in a rotating disk for the interpretation of a spacing between the QPO peaks.
We estimate a magnitude of the splitting effect and present a simple formula
for the whole spectrum of the split frequencies. It is interesting that the
first three lowest-order overtones fall in the range of 200-1200 Hz and match
the kHz-QPO frequencies observed by RXTE. Similar phenomena should also occur
in Black Hole (BH) systems, but, since the QPO frequency is inversely
proportional to the mass of a compact object, the frequency of the
centrifugal-barrier oscillations in the BH systems should be a factor of 5-10
lower than that for the NS systems. The X-ray spectrum formed in this region is
a result of upscattering of a soft radiation (from a disk and a NS surface) off
relatively hot electrons in the boundary layer. We also briefly discuss some
alternative QPO models, including a possibility of acoustic oscillations in the
boundary layer, the proper stellar rotation, and g-mode disk oscillations.Comment: The paper is coming out in the Astrophysical Journal in the 1st of
May issue of 199
Theory of disk accretion onto supermassive black holes
Accretion onto supermassive black holes produces both the dramatic phenomena
associated with active galactic nuclei and the underwhelming displays seen in
the Galactic Center and most other nearby galaxies. I review selected aspects
of the current theoretical understanding of black hole accretion, emphasizing
the role of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence and gravitational instabilities in
driving the actual accretion and the importance of the efficacy of cooling in
determining the structure and observational appearance of the accretion flow.
Ongoing investigations into the dynamics of the plunging region, the origin of
variability in the accretion process, and the evolution of warped, twisted, or
eccentric disks are summarized.Comment: Mostly introductory review, to appear in "Supermassive black holes in
the distant Universe", ed. A.J. Barger, Kluwer Academic Publishers, in pres