Superhumps in low-mass X-ray binaries

We propose a mechanism for the superhump modulations observed in optical photometry of at least two black-hole X-ray transients (SXTs). As in extreme mass-ratio cataclysmic variables (CVs), superhumps are assumed to result from the presence of the 3:1 orbital resonance in the accretion disc. This causes the disc to become non-axisymmetric and precess. However, the mechanism for superhump luminosity variations in low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) must differ from that in CVs, where it is attributed to a tidally-driven modulation of the disc's viscous dissipation, varying on the beat between the orbital and disc precession period. By contrast in LMXBs, tidal dissipation in the outer accretion disc is negligible: the optical emission is overwhelmingly dominated by reprocessing of intercepted central X-rays. Thus a different origin for the superhump modulation is required. Recent observations and numerical simulations indicate that in an extreme mass-ratio system the disc area changes on the superhump period. We deduce that the superhumps observed in SXTs arise from a modulation of the reprocessed flux by the changing area. Therefore, unlike the situation in CVs, where the superhump amplitude is inclination-independent, superhumps should be best seen in low-inclination LMXBs, whereas an orbital modulation from the heated face of the secondary star should be more prominent at high inclinations. Modulation at the disc precession period (10 s of days) may indicate disc asymmetries such as warping. We comment on the orbital period determinations of LMXBs, and the possibility and significance of possible permanent superhump LMXBs.     

Populating the Galaxy with low-mass X-ray binaries

We perform binary population-synthesis calculations to investigate the incidence of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) and their birth rate in the Galaxy. We use a binary-evolution algorithm that models all the relevant processes including tidal circularization and synchronization. Parameters in the evolution algorithm that are uncertain and may affect X-ray binary formation are allowed to vary during the investigation. We agree with previous studies that under standard assumptions of binary evolution the formation rate and number of black hole (BH) LMXBs predicted by the model are more than an order of magnitude less than what is indicated by observations. We find that the common-envelope process cannot be manipulated to produce significant numbers of BH LMXBs. However, by simply reducing the mass-loss rate from helium stars adopted in the standard model, to a rate that agrees with the latest data, we produce a good match to the observations. Including LMXBs that evolve from intermediate-mass systems also leads to favourable results. We stress that constraints on the X-ray binary population provided by observations are used here merely as a guide as surveys suffer from incompleteness and much uncertainty is involved in the interpretation of results.     

Simultaneous X-ray/optical observations of GX 9+9 (4U 1728−16)

We report on the results of the first simultaneous X-ray ( RXTE ) and optical [South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO)] observations of the luminous low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) GX 9+9 in 1999 August. The high-speed optical photometry revealed an orbital period of 4.1958 h and confirmed previous observations, but with greater precision. No X-ray modulation was found at the orbital period. On shorter time-scales, a possible 1.4-h variability was found in the optical light curves which might be related to the MHz quasi-periodic oscillations seen in other LMXBs. We do not find any significant X-ray/optical correlation in the light curves. In X-rays, the colour–colour and hardness-intensity diagrams indicate that the source shows characteristics of an atoll source in the upper banana state, with a correlation between intensity and spectral hardness. Time-resolved X-ray spectroscopy suggests that two-component spectral models give a reasonable fit to the X-ray emission. Such models consist of a blackbody component which can be interpreted as the emission from an optically thick accretion disc or an optically thick boundary layer, and a hard Comptonized component for an extended corona.     

The secondary stars in cataclysmic variables and low-mass X-ray binaries

We critically re-examine the available data on the spectral types, masses and radii of the secondary stars in cataclysmic variables (CVs) and low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs), using the new catalogue of Ritter &38; Kolb as a starting point. We find there are 55 reliable spectral type determinations and only 14 reliable mass determinations of CV secondary stars (10 and 5, respectively, in the case of LMXBs). We derive new spectral type–period, mass–radius, mass–period and radius–period relations, and compare them with theoretical predictions. We find that CV secondary stars with orbital periods shorter than 7–8 h are, as a group, indistinguishable from main-sequence stars in detached binaries. We find that it is not valid, however, to estimate the mass from the spectral type of the secondary star in CVs or LMXBs. We find that LMXB secondary stars show some evidence for evolution, with secondary stars which are slightly too large for their mass. We show how the masses and radii of the secondary stars in CVs can be used to test the validity of the disrupted magnetic braking model of CV evolution, but we find that the currently available data are not sufficiently accurate or numerous to allow such an analysis. As well as considering secondary star masses, we also discuss the masses of the white dwarfs in CVs, and find mean values of ⁻ M  = 0.69 ± 0.13 M_⊙ below the period gap, and ⁻ M  = 0.80 ± 0.22 M_⊙ above the period gap.     

Crust–core coupling and r-mode damping in neutron stars: a toy model

r-modes in neutron stars with crusts are damped by viscous friction at the crust–core boundary. The magnitude of this damping, evaluated by Bildsten & Ushomirsky (BU) under the assumption of a perfectly rigid crust, sets the maximum spin frequency for neutron stars spun up by accretion in low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs). In this paper we explore the mechanical coupling between the core r-modes and the elastic crust, using a toy model of a constant-density neutron star having a crust with a constant shear modulus. We find that, at spin frequencies in excess of ≈50 Hz, the r-modes strongly penetrate the crust. This reduces the relative motion (slippage) between the crust and the core compared with the rigid-crust limit. We therefore revise down, by as much as a factor of 10²–10³ , the damping rate computed by BU, significantly reducing the maximal possible spin frequency of neutron stars with solid crusts. The dependence of the crust–core slippage on the spin frequency is complicated, and is very sensitive to the physical thickness of the crust. If the crust is sufficiently thick, the curve of the critical spin frequency for the onset of the r-mode instability becomes multivalued for some temperatures; this is related to avoided crossings between the r-mode and higher-order torsional modes in the crust. The critical frequencies are comparable to the observed spins of neutron stars in LMXBs and millisecond pulsars.     

Discovery of long-term superorbital periodicities in the pseudo-transient LMXBs: IGR J17098−3628 and EXO 0748−676

Long-term monitoring of the recently discovered X-ray transient, IGR J17098−3628, by the All-Sky Monitor on-board the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer , has shown that it displays a long-term (≈163 d) quasi-periodic modulation in the data spanning its 'active' state (i.e. approximately MJD 53450–54200). Furthermore, this light curve is not typical of 'classical' soft X-ray transients, in that J17098−3628 has remained active since its initial discovery, and may be more akin to the pseudo-transient EXO 0748−676, which is now classified as a persistent low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB). However, EXO 0748−676 recently entered a more active phase (since approximately MJD 53050), and since then we find that it too displays a quasi-periodic modulation (≈181 d) in its light curve. This must be a 'superorbital' modulation, as the orbital period of EXO 0748−676 is well established (3.8 h), and hence we interpret both objects' long periods as representing some intrinsic properties of the accretion disc (such as coupled precessional and warping effects). By analogy, we therefore suggest that IGR J17098−3628 is another member of this class of pseudo-transient LMXBs and is likely to have a <1 d orbital period.     

Formation of accreting millisecond X-ray pulsars

Accreting millisecond X-ray pulsars(AMXPs) are an important subclass of low-mass X-ray binaries(LMXBs), in which coherent millisecond X-ray pulsations can be observed during outburst states.They have dual characteristics of LMXBs and millisecond pulsars, providing a direct confirmation for the recycling scenario. However, their formation is not well understood. In this work, we simulate the evolution of LMXBs with the MESA code to explore the formation and evolution of AMXPs. Based on the binary evolutionary model of LMXBs and the model of accretion disk instability, we find that most of the observed AMXPs can be produced from LMXBs with orbital periods at the onset of Roche lobe overflow close to the bifurcation period and their observed properties can be explained by our models. The AMXPs with main sequence(MS) donors ultimately evolve into AMXPs with extremely low-mass He white dwarf donors.Moreover, our results indicate that these AMXPs with MS donors are likely to have donor stars near the terminal-age main sequence.     

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.     

The population of faint transients in the Galactic Centre

BeppoSAX has detected a population of faint transient X-ray sources in the Galactic Centre. I show that a simple irradiated disc picture gives a consistent fit to the properties of this population, and that it probably consists of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) that have evolved beyond their minimum orbital periods of ∼80 min. Since all post-minimum systems are transient, and neutron star LMXBs are more common than black hole LMXBs in the Galaxy, the majority of these systems should contain neutron stars, as observed. This picture predicts that the Galactic Centre transients should have orbital periods in the range ∼80–120 min, and that most of them should repeat in the next few years. In this case, the total number of post-minimum transients in the Galaxy would be considerably smaller than the usual estimates of its total LMXB population. I discuss possible reasons for this.     

On the Nature of the Compact Star in 4U 1728-34

The discovery of kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPOs) in low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) with the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer has stimulated extensive studies of these sources. Recently, Osherovich & Titarchuk suggested a new model for kHz QPOs and the related correlations between kHz QPOs and low-frequency features in LMXBs. Here we use their results to study the mass-radius relation for the atoll source 4U 1728-34. We find that, if this model is correct, 4U 1728-34 is possibly a strange star rather than a neutron star.     

Are the magnetic fields of millisecond pulsars ∼108 G?

It is generally assumed that the magnetic fields of millisecond pulsars (MSPs) are ～10⁸ G. We argue that this may not be true and the fields may be appreciably greater. We present six evidences for this: (1) The ～10⁸G field estimate is based on magnetic dipole emission losses which is shown to be questionable; (2) The MSPs in low mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) are claimed to have <10¹¹ G on the basis of a Rayleygh-Taylor instability accretion argument. We show that the accretion argument is questionable and the upper limit 10¹¹ G may be much higher; (3) Low magnetic field neutron stars have difficulty being produced in LMXBs; (4) MSPs may still be accreting indicating a much higher magnetic field; (5) The data that predict ～10⁸ G for MSPs also predict ages on the order of, and greater than, ten billion years, which is much greater than normal pulsars. If the predicted ages are wrong, most likely the predicted ～10⁸ G fields of MSPs are wrong; (6) When magnetic fields are measured directly with cyclotron lines in X-ray binaries, fields ?10⁸ G are indicated. Other scenarios should be investigated. One such scenario is the following. Over 85% of MSPs are confirmed members of a binary. It is possible that all MSPs are in large separation binaries having magnetic fields >10⁸ G with their magnetic dipole emission being balanced by low level accretion from their companions.     

Superhumps in black hole X-ray transients

The superhumps in black hole X-ray transientsresult from a modulation in the area of the accretion disc. We discussimplications of this for parameter determinations in LMXBs.     

Orbital, precessional and flaring variability of Cygnus X-1

We present the results of a 2.5-yr multiwavelength monitoring programme of Cygnus X-1, making use of hard and soft X-ray data, optical spectroscopy, UBVJHK photometry and radio data. In particular, we confirm that the 5.6-d orbital period is apparent in all wavebands, and note the existence of a wavelength dependence to the modulation, in the sense that higher energies reach minimum first. We also find a strong modulation at a period of 142±7 d, which we suggest is caused by precession and/or radiative warping of the accretion disc. Strong modulation of the hard and soft X-ray flux at this long period may not be compatible with simple models of an optically thin accretion flow and corona in the low state. We present the basic components required for more detailed future modelling of the system – including a partially optically thick jet, quasi-continuous in the low state, the base of which acts as the Comptonizing corona. In addition, we find that there are a number of flares that appear to be correlated in at least two wavebands and generally in more. We choose two of these flares to study in further detail, and find that the hard and soft X-rays are well correlated in the first, and that the soft X-rays and radio are correlated in the second. In general, the optical and infrared show similar behaviour to each other, but are not correlated with the X-rays or radio.     

X-ray and ultraviolet observations of the dwarf nova VW Hyi in quiescence

We present an analysis of X-ray and ultraviolet (UV) data of the dwarf nova VW Hyi that were obtained with XMM–Newton during the quiescent state. The X-ray spectrum indicates the presence of an optically thin plasma in the boundary layer that cools as it settles on to the white dwarf. The plasma has a continuous temperature distribution that is well described by a power law or a cooling flow model with a maximum temperature of 6–8 keV. We estimate from the X-ray spectrum a boundary layer luminosity of  8 × 10³⁰ erg s^-1  , which is only 20 per cent of the disc luminosity. The rate of accretion on to the white dwarf is  5 × 10⁻¹² M_⊙ yr⁻¹  , about half of the rate in the disc. From the high-resolution X-ray spectra, we estimate that the X-ray emitting part of the boundary layer is rotating with a velocity of 540 km s⁻¹, which is close to the rotation velocity of the white dwarf but is significantly smaller than the Keplerian velocity. We detect a 60-s quasi-periodic oscillation of the X-ray flux, which is likely to be due to the rotation of the boundary layer. The X-ray and the UV flux show strong variability on a time-scale of ∼1500 s. We find that the variability in the two bands is correlated and that the X-ray fluctuations are delayed by ∼100 s. The correlation indicates that the variable UV flux is emitted near the transition region between the disc and the boundary layer and that accretion rate fluctuations in this region are propagated to the X-ray emitting part of the boundary layer within ∼100 s. An orbital modulation of the X-ray flux suggests that the inner accretion disc is tilted with respect to the orbital plane. The elemental abundances in the boundary layer are close to their solar values.     

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.     

A possible detection mechanism for pre-low-mass X-ray binaries

This work presents a possible detection mechanism for close, detached, neutron star–red dwarf binaries, which are expected to be the evolutionary precursors of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs). Although this pre-low-mass X-ray binary (pre-LMXB) phase of evolution is predicted theoretically, as yet no such systems have been identified observationally. The calculations presented here suggest that the X-ray luminosity of neutron star wind accretion in a pre-LMXB system can be expected to exceed the intrinsic X-ray luminosity of the red dwarf secondary star. Furthermore, the temperature of the radiation emitted from the neutron star wind accretion process is expected, within the confines of a reasonable set of conditions, to lie within the detection range of X-ray satellites. Sources with X-ray luminosities greater than that expected for a red dwarf star, but the positions of which coincide with that of a red dwarf star, are then candidate pre-LMXB systems. These candidate systems should be surveyed for the radial velocity shifts that would occur as a result of the orbital motion of a red dwarf star within a close binary system containing a high-mass compact object.     

X-rays from the open cluster NGC 6633

NGC 6633 is a young, open cluster with a similar age to the Hyades and Praesepe, but probably a lower metallicity. We present the results of ROSAT High Resolution Imager observations of an optically selected catalogue of likely members of NGC 6633. 8 out of 51 NGC 6633 members have been detected, with main-sequence spectral types A to G, above a threshold X-ray luminosity of ≈6–12×10²⁸ erg s⁻¹. We find that NGC 6633 does not contain cool stars that are as X-ray luminous as the most active objects in the Hyades and that the median X-ray luminosity of F-G stars in NGC 6633 is less than that in the Hyades, but probably greater than in Praesepe. However, when X-ray activity is expressed as the X-ray to bolometric flux ratio we find that NGC 6633 and the Hyades are very similar and display similar peak levels of coronal activity. We attribute this discrepancy to a number of possible wide binary systems with higher X-ray (and bolometric) luminosities in the Hyades sample and either a low metallicity in NGC 6633, which makes its cool stars both X-ray and bolometrically less luminous at the same colour, or a distance to NGC 6633 that has been underestimated, which would decrease stellar X-ray luminosities without changing X-ray to bolometric flux ratios.     

Periodicity search for possible X-ray counterparts to radio-quiet gamma-ray pulsar candidates

A periodicity search of gamma-ray data is usually difficult because of the small number of detected photons. A periodicity in the timing signal at other energy bands from the counterpart to the gamma-ray source may help to establish the periodicity in the gamma-ray emission and strengthen the identification of the source in different energy bands. However, it may still be difficult to find the period directly from X-ray data because of limited exposure. We have developed a procedure, by cross-checking two X-ray data sets, to find candidate periods for X-ray sources that are possible counterparts to gamma-ray pulsar candidates. Here, we report on the results of this method obtained with all the currently available X-ray data of eight X-ray sources. Some attractive periodicity features were found. These candidate periods can serve as the target periods for a future search when new data become available, so that a blind search with a huge number of trials can be avoided.     

On The Low Frequency Quasi Periodic Oscillations Of X-Ray Sources

Based on the interpretation of the twin kilohertz Quasi Periodic Oscillations (kHz QPOs) of X-ray spectra of Low Mass X-Ray Binaries (LMXBs) ascribed to the Keplerian and the periastron precession frequencies at the inner disk respectively, we ascribe the low frequency (0.1–10 Hz) Quasi Periodic Oscillations (LFQPO) and HBO (15–60 Hz QPO for Z sources or Atoll sources) to the periastron precession at some outer disk radius. It is assumed that both radii are correlated by a scaling factor of 0.4. The conclusions obtained include: All QPO frequencies increase with increasing accretion rate. The theoretical relations between HBO (LFQPO) frequency and the kHz QPO frequencies are similar to the measured empirical formula.     

High-speed photometry of faint cataclysmic variables – II. RS Car, V365 Car, V436 Car, AP Cru, RR Cha, BI Ori, CM Phe and V522 Sgr

Short time-scale photometric properties of eight faint cataclysmic variable (CV) stars are presented. Nova Carinae 1895 (RS Car) has a photometric modulation at 1.977 h that could be either an orbital or a superhump period. Nova Carinae 1948 (V365 Car) shows flickering, but any orbital modulation has a period in excess of 6 h. The nova-like variable and X-ray source V436 Car has an orbital modulation at   P _orb= 4.207 h  , no detectable period near 2.67 h (which had previously given it a possible intermediate polar classification), and dwarf nova oscillations (DNOs) at ∼40 s. Nova Crucis 1936 (AP Cru) has a double-humped ellipsoidal modulation at   P _orb= 5.12 h  and a stable modulation at 1837 s characteristic of an intermediate polar. Nova Chamaeleontis 1953 (RR Cha) is an eclipsing system with   P _orb= 3.362 h  , but at times shows negative superhumps at 3.271 h and positive superhumps at 3.466 h. In addition it has a stable period at 1950 s, characteristic of an intermediate polar. BI Ori is a dwarf nova that we observed at quiescence and outburst without detecting any orbital modulation. CM Phe is a nova-like variable for which we confirm the value of   P _orb= 6.454 h  found by Hoard, Wachter & Kim-Quijano . We have identified the remnant of Nova Sagittarii 1931 (V522 Sgr) with a flickering source ∼2.2 mag fainter than the previously proposed candidate (which we find to be non-variable).