Oscillations of relativistic axisymmetric tori and implications for modelling kHz-QPOs in neutron-star X-ray binaries

We perform a global linear perturbative analysis, and investigate the oscillation properties of relativistic, non-selfgravitating tori orbiting around neutron stars in the slow rotation limit approximation. Extending the work done in Schwarzschild and Kerr backgrounds, we consider the axisymmetric oscillations of vertically integrated tori in the Hartle-Thorne spacetime. The equilibrium models are constructed by selecting a number of different non-Keplerian distributions of specific angular momentum, allowing for disc sizes $L \sim 0.5 - 600$ gravitational radii. Our results, obtained after solving a global eigenvalue problem to compute the xisymmetric $p$-modes, indicate that such oscillation modes could account with most observed lower ($\nu_L$) and upper ($\nu_U$) high frequency quasi-periodic oscillations for Sco X-1, and for some Z sources and Atoll sources with $\nu_L\ gtrsim 500$ Hz. However, when $\nu_L \lesssim 500$ Hz, $p$-modes oscillations do not account for the linear relation $\nu_U = A \nu_L + B$, $B \neq 0$ between the upper and the lower high frequency quasi-periodic oscillations that are observed in neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, matches accepted version for publication in MNRA

Molecular simulation study of the heat capacity of metastable water between 100K and 300K

Molecular simulation study of the heat capacity of metastable water between 100K and 300K Molecular simulations have been used to study the heat capacity of metastable liquid water at low temperature adsorbed on a smooth surface. These calculations aim at modelling water properties measured by experiments performed on water films adsorbed on Vycor nanoporous silica at low temperature. In particular, the study focuses on the non-monotonous variation of the heat capacity around between 100 and 300 K

General Relativistic Magnetospheres of Slowly Rotating and Oscillating Magnetized Neutron Stars

We study the magnetosphere of a slowly rotating magnetized neutron star subject to toroidal oscillations in the relativistic regime. Under the assumption of a zero inclination angle between the magnetic moment and the angular momentum of the star, we analyze the Goldreich-Julian charge density and derive a second-order differential equation for the electrostatic potential. The analytical solution of this equation in the polar cap region of the magnetosphere shows the modification induced by stellar toroidal oscillations on the accelerating electric field and on the charge density. We also find that, after decomposing the oscillation velocity in terms of spherical harmonics, the first few modes with $m=0,1$ are responsible for energy losses that are almost linearly dependent on the amplitude of the oscillation and that, for the mode $(l,m)=(2,1)$, can be a factor $\sim8$ larger than the rotational energy losses, even for a velocity oscillation amplitude at the star surface as small as $\eta=0.05 \ \Omega \ R$. The results obtained in this paper clarify the extent to which stellar oscillations are reflected in the time variation of the physical properties at the surface of the rotating neutron star, mainly by showing the existence of a relation between $P\dot{P}$ and the oscillation amplitude. Finally, we propose a qualitative model for the explanation of the phenomenology of intermittent pulsars in terms of stellar oscillations that are periodically excited by star glitches.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures, submitted to MNRA

Dynamics of thick discs around Schwarzschild-de Sitter black holes

We consider the effects of a cosmological constant on the dynamics of constant angular momentum discs orbiting Schwarzschild-de Sitter black holes. The motivation behind this study is to investigate whether the presence of a radial force contrasting the black hole's gravitational attraction can influence the occurrence of the runaway instability, a robust feature of the dynamics of constant angular momentum tori in Schwarzschild and Kerr spacetimes. In addition to the inner cusp near the black hole horizon through which matter can accrete onto the black hole, in fact, a positive cosmological constant introduces also an outer cusp through which matter can leave the torus without accreting onto the black hole. To assess the impact of this outflow on the development of the instability we have performed time-dependent and axisymmetric hydrodynamical simulations of equilibrium initial configurations in a sequence of background spacetimes of Schwarzschild-de Sitter black holes with increasing masses. The simulations have been performed with an unrealistic value for the cosmological constant which, however, yields sufficiently small discs to be resolved accurately on numerical grids and thus provides a first qualitative picture of the dynamics. The calculations, carried out for a wide range of initial conditions, show that the mass-loss from the outer cusp can have a considerable impact on the instability, with the latter being rapidly suppressed if the outflow is large enough.Comment: 12 pages; A&A, in pres

Explaining the subpulse drift velocity of pulsar magnetosphere within the space-charge limited flow model

We try to explain the subpulse drift phenomena adopting the space-charge limited flow (SCLF) model and comparing the plasma drift velocity in the inner region of pulsar magnetospheres with the observed velocity of drifting subpulses. We apply the approach described in a recent paper of van Leeuwen & Timokhin (2012), where it was shown that the standard estimation of the subpulse drift velocity through the total value of the scalar potential drop in the inner gap gives inaccurate results, while the exact expression relating the drift velocity to the gradient of the scalar potential should be used instead. After considering a selected sample of sources taken from the catalog of Weltevrede, Edwards & Stappers (2006) with coherently drifting subpulses and reasonably known observing geometry, we show that their subpulse drift velocities would correspond to the drift of the plasma located very close or above the pair formation front. Moreover, a detailed analysis of PSR B0826-34 and PSR B0818-41 reveals that the variation of the subpulse separation with the pulse longitude can be successfully explained by the dependence of the plasma drift velocity on the angular coordinates.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures, 2 table

A New Simple Model for High Frequency Quasi Periodic Oscillations in Black Hole Candidates

Observations of X-ray emissions from binary systems have long since been considered important tools to test General Relativity in strong-field regimes. The high frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (HFQPOs) observed in binaries containing a black hole candidate, in particular, have been proposed as a means to measure more directly the black hole properties such as its mass and spin. Numerous models have been suggested to explain the HFQPOs and the rich phenomenology accompanying them. Many of these models rest on a number of assumptions and are at times in conflict with the most recent observations. We here propose a new, simple model in which the HFQPOs result from basic $p$-mode oscillations of a small accretion torus orbiting close to the black hole. We show that within this model the key properties of the HFQPOs can be explained simply, given a single reasonable assumption. We also discuss observational tests that can falsify the model.Comment: 5 pages; MNRAS Letters, in pres

Hacia una fenomenología de las ciencias sociales

Este ensayo fue escrito en enero de 1997. El autor quiere agradecer las sugerencias, enseñanzas y consejos -anteriores a la redacción- de Francisco Leocata, si bien, obviamente, este agradecimiento lo exime de toda responsabilidad en los posibles errores cometidos. También agradecemos los comentarios de Luciano Elizalde, Carlos Álvarez y Ricardo Crespo

Dynamics of magnetized relativistic tori oscillating around black holes

We present a numerical study of the dynamics of magnetized, relativistic, non-self-gravitating, axisymmetric tori orbiting in the background spacetimes of Schwarzschild and Kerr black holes. The initial models have a constant specific angular momentum and are built with a non-zero toroidal magnetic field component, for which equilibrium configurations have recently been obtained. In this work we extend our previous investigations which dealt with purely hydrodynamical thick discs, and study the dynamics of magnetized tori subject to perturbations which, for the values of the magnetic field strength considered here, trigger quasi-periodic oscillations lasting for tens of orbital periods. Overall, we have found that the dynamics of the magnetized tori analyzed is very similar to that found in the corresponding unmagnetized models. The spectral distribution of the eigenfrequencies of oscillation shows the presence of a fundamental p mode and of a series of overtones in a harmonic ratio 2:3:.... These simulations, therefore, extend the validity of the model of Rezzolla et al.(2003a) for explaining the high-frequency QPOs observed in the spectra of LMXBs containing a black-hole candidate also to the case of magnetized discs with purely toroidal magnetic field distribution. If sufficiently compact and massive, these oscillations can also lead to the emission of intense gravitational radiation which is potentially detectable for sources within the Galaxy.Comment: 10 pages,7 figures, submitted to MNRA