Be／X射线双星的理论模型

为解释Ｂｅ／Ｘ射线双星波段联合观测结果，已发展了许多理论模型。在本文中简述这些Ｂｅ／Ｘ射线双星理论模型的研究现状，包括枞两个正常的Ｂ型星组成的密近双星演化成为Ｂｅ／Ｘ射线双星的演化模型，描述Ｂｅ星气壳的物理模型，Ｂｅ星和中子星的性质所决定的中子星吸积方式的吸积量及Ｂｅ／Ｘ射线双星Ｘ射线源光变曲线的理论解释。     

The correlations between the twin kHz quasi-periodic oscillation frequencies of low-mass X-ray binaries

We analyzed the recently published kHz quasi-period oscillaiton (QPO) data in the neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs), in order to investigate the different correlations of the twin-peak kHz QPOs in bright Z sources and in the less luminous Atoll sources. We find a power-law relation  ν₁∼ν ^b ₂  between the upper and the lower kHz QPOs with different indices: b ≃ 1.5 for the Atoll source 4U 1728-34 and b ≃ 1.9 for the Z source Sco X-1. The implications of our results for the theoretical models for kHz QPOs are discussed.     

Super-orbital period in the high-mass X-ray binary 2S 0114+650

We report the detection of a stable super-orbital period in the high-mass X-ray binary 2S 0114+650. Analyses of data from the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer All-Sky Monitor from 1996 January 5 to 2004 August 25 reveal a super-orbital period of 30.7±0.1 d, in addition to confirming the previously reported neutron star spin period of 2.7 h and the binary orbital period of 11.6 d. It is unclear if the super-orbital period can be ascribed to the precession of a warped accretion disc in the system.     

Stellar-mass black hole binaries as ultraluminous X-ray sources

Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) with   L _x > 10³⁹ erg s⁻¹  have been discovered in great numbers in external galaxies with ROSAT , Chandra and XMM-Newton . The central question regarding this important class of sources is whether they represent an extension in the luminosity function of binary X-ray sources containing neutron stars and stellar-mass black holes (BHs), or a new class of objects, e.g. systems containing intermediate-mass BHs  (100–1000 M_⊙)  . We have carried out a theoretical study to test whether a large fraction of the ULXs, especially those in galaxies with recent star formation activity, can be explained with binary systems containing stellar-mass BHs. To this end, we have applied a unique set of binary evolution models for BH X-ray binaries, coupled to a binary population synthesis code, to model the ULXs observed in external galaxies. We find that for donor stars with initial masses  ≳10 M_⊙  the mass transfer driven by the normal nuclear evolution of the donor star is sufficient to potentially power most ULXs. This is the case during core hydrogen burning and, to an even more pronounced degree, while the donor star ascends the giant branch, although the latter phases last only ∼5 per cent of the main-sequence phase. We show that with only a modest violation of the Eddington limit, e.g. a factor of ∼10, both the numbers and properties of the majority of the ULXs can be reproduced. One of our conclusions is that if stellar-mass BH binaries account for a significant fraction of ULXs in star-forming galaxies, then the rate of formation of such systems is  ∼3 × 10⁻⁷ yr⁻¹  normalized to a core-collapse supernova rate of 0.01 yr⁻¹.     

The magnetohydrodynamics model of twin kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations in low-mass X-ray binaries

We suggest an explanation for the twin kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPOs) in low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) based on magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) oscillation modes in neutron star magnetospheres. Including the effect of the neutron star spin, we derive several MHD wave modes by solving the dispersion equations, and propose that the coupling of the two resonant MHD modes may lead to the twin kHz QPOs. This model naturally relates the upper, lower kHz QPO frequencies with the spin frequencies of the neutron stars, and can well account for the measured data of six LMXBs.     

X-ray timing behaviour of Cygnus X-2 at low intensities

It is known that the overall (mean) intensity of the low-mass X-ray binary Cyg X-2 varies on time-scales from a day to months, independently of the variations on time-scales of hours to a day by which the source moves between the horizontal, normal and flaring branches.
We present RXTE PCA observations of Cyg X-2, taken when its overall intensity was near its lowest values, in 1996 October and 1997 September. For the first time we perform a study of the fast timing behaviour at such low intensities. During the 1996 October observations, the source was in the left part of the horizontal branch, and during the 1997 September observations was most likely in the lower parts of the normal branch and flaring branch.
We find that the properties of the very low-frequency noise during the 1997 September observations are consistent with a monotonic decrease in its strength and power-law index as a function of overall intensity. In contrast, the strength of the ∼6 Hz normal branch quasi-periodic oscillations does not vary monotonically with overall intensity. They are strongest at medium overall intensity and weaker both when the overall intensity is low and when the overall intensity is high.     

The remarkable rapid X-ray, ultraviolet, optical and infrared variability in the black hole XTE J1118+480

The transient black-hole binary XTE J1118+480 exhibited dramatic rapid variability at all wavelengths which were suitably observed during its 2000 April–July outburst. We examine time-resolved X-ray, ultraviolet, optical and infrared data spanning the plateau phase of the outburst. We find that both X-ray and infrared bands show large amplitude variability. The ultraviolet and optical variability is more subdued, but clearly correlated with that seen in the X-rays. The ultraviolet, at least, appears to be dominated by the continuum, although the lines are also variable. Using the X-ray variations as a reference point, we find that the ultraviolet (UV) variability at long wavelengths occurs later than that at short wavelengths. Uncertainty in the Hubble Space Telescope timing prohibits a determination of the absolute lag with respect to the X-rays, however. The transfer function is clearly not a delta-function, exhibiting significant repeatable structure. For the main signal we can rule out an origin in reprocessing on the companion star – the lack of variation in the lags is not consistent with this, given a relatively high orbital inclination. Weak reprocessing from the disc and/or companion star may be present, but is not required, and another component must dominate the variability. This could be variable synchrotron emission correlated with X-ray variability, consistent with our earlier interpretation of the infrared (IR) flux as due to synchrotron emission rather than thermal disc emission. In fact, the broad-band energy distribution of the variability from IR to X-rays is consistent with expectations of optically thin synchrotron emission. We also follow the evolution of the low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillation in X-rays, UV, and optical. Its properties at all wavelengths are similar, indicating a common origin.     

Two-temperature accretion flows in magnetic cataclysmic variables: structures of post-shock emission regions and X-ray spectroscopy

We use a two-temperature hydrodynamical formulation to determine the temperature and density structures of the post-shock accretion flows in magnetic cataclysmic variables (mCVs) and calculate the corresponding X-ray spectra. The effects of two-temperature flows are significant for systems with a massive white dwarf and a strong white-dwarf magnetic field. Our calculations show that two-temperature flows predict harder keV spectra than one-temperature flows for the same white-dwarf mass and magnetic field. This result is insensitive to whether the electrons and ions have equal temperature at the shock, but depends on the electron–ion exchange rate, relative to the rate of radiative loss along the flow. White-dwarf masses obtained by fitting the X-ray spectra of mCVs using hydrodynamic models including the two-temperature effects will be lower than those obtained using single-temperature models. The bias is more severe for systems with a massive white dwarf.     

A classification of the X-ray and radio states of Cyg X-3 and their long-term correlations

We present a detailed classification of the X-ray states of Cyg X-3 based on the spectral shape and a new classification of the radio states based on the long-term correlated behaviour of the radio and soft X-ray light curves. We find a sequence of correlations, starting with a positive correlation between the radio and soft X-ray fluxes in the hard spectral state, changing to a negative one at the transition to soft spectral states. The temporal evolution can be in either direction on that sequence, unless the source goes into a very weak radio state, from which it can return only following a major radio flare. The flare decline is via relatively bright radio states, which results in a hysteresis loop on the flux–flux diagram. We also study the hard X-ray light curve, and find its overall anticorrelation with the soft X-rays. During major radio flares, the radio flux responds exponentially to the level of a hard X-ray high-energy tail. We also specify the detailed correspondence between the radio states and the X-ray spectral states. We compare our results to those of black hole and neutron star binaries. Except for the effect of strong absorption and the energy of the high-energy break in the hard state, the X-ray spectral states of Cyg X-3 closely correspond to the canonical X-ray states of black hole binaries. Also, the radio/X-ray correlation closely corresponds to that found in black hole binaries, but it significantly differs from that in neutron star binaries. Overall, our results strongly support the presence of a black hole in Cyg X-3.     

Evolution of neutron stars in high-mass X-ray binaries

We consider the evolution of neutron stars during the X-ray phase of high-mass binaries. Calculations are performed assuming a crustal origin of the magnetic field. A strong wind from the companion can significantly influence the magnetic and spin behaviour of a neutron star even during the main-sequence life of the companion. In the course of evolution, the neutron star passes through four evolutionary phases ('isolated pulsar', propeller, wind accretion, and Roche lobe overflow). The model considered can naturally account for the observed magnetic fields and spin periods of neutron stars, as well as the existence of pulsating and non-pulsating X-ray sources in high-mass binaries. Calculations also predict the existence of a particular sort of high-mass binary with a secondary that fills its Roche lobe and a neutron star that does not accrete the overflowing matter because of fast spin.     

X-ray spectral evolution of low-mass X-ray binary GX 349+2

We present the results of a systematic investigation of spectral evolution in the Z source GX 349+2, using data obtained during 1998 with the Proportional Counter Array (PCA) on-board the RXTE satellite. The source traced a extended normal branch (NB) and flaring branch (FB) in the colour–colour diagram (CD) and the hardness-intensity diagram (HID) during these observations. The spectra at different positions of the Z-track were best fitted by a model consisting of a disc blackbody and a Comptonized spectrum. A broad (Gaussian) iron line at ∼6.7 keV is also required to improve the fit. The spectral parameters showed a systematic and significant variation with the position along the Z-track. The evolution in spectral parameters is discussed in view of the increasing mass accretion rate scenario, proposed to explain the motion of Z sources in the CD and the HID.     

Periodicities in the high-mass X-ray binary system RX J0146.9+6121/LS I+61°235

The high-mass X-ray binary RX J0146.9+6121, with optical counterpart LS I+61°235 (V831 Cas), is an intriguing system on the outskirts of the open cluster NGC 663. It contains the slowest Be type X-ray pulsar known with a pulse period of around 1400 s and, primarily from the study of variation in the emission line profile of Hα, it is known to have a Be decretion disc with a one-armed density wave period of approximately 1240 d. Here we present the results of an extensive photometric campaign, supplemented with optical spectroscopy, aimed at measuring short time-scale periodicities. We find three significant periodicities in the photometric data at, in order of statistical significance, 0.34, 0.67 and 0.10 d. We give arguments to support the interpretation that the 0.34 and 0.10 d periods could be due to stellar oscillations of the B-type primary star and that the 0.67 d period is the spin period of the Be star with a spin axis inclination of  23⁺¹⁰₋₈  degrees. We measured a systemic velocity of  −37.0 ± 4.3 km s⁻¹  confirming that LS I+61°235 has a high probability of membership in the young cluster NGC 663 from which the system's age can be estimated as 20–25 Myr. From archival RXTE All Sky Monitor (ASM) data we further find 'super' X-ray outbursts roughly every 450 d. If these super outbursts are caused by the alignment of the compact star with the one-armed decretion disc enhancement, then the orbital period is approximately 330 d.     

ASCA X-ray observations of EX Hya: spin-resolved spectroscopy

We analyse the spectral changes over the spin modulation in the intermediate polar EX Hya using archival ASCA data. We find that the modulation can be modelled as either (1) the effect of occultation of the accretion poles by the limb of the white dwarf, or (2) the effect of phase-dependent photoelectric absorption. We argue, on the basis of the partial X-ray eclipse, that the accretion columns in the system are tall, with shock height ∼ R _wd, and hence that the spin modulation is caused mainly by occultation. We find that the temperature distribution along the accretion shocks is incompatible with the calculations of Aizu, except for a restricted parameter regime with a high M _wd. Hence the material in the shock must cool faster than predicted by theory.