Magnetic and spin evolution of neutron stars in close binaries |
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Authors: | V Urpin U Geppert & D Konenkov |
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Institution: | A. F. Ioffe Institute of Physics and Technology, 194021 St Petersburg, Russia,;Department of Mathematics, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU,;Astrophysikalisches Institut Potsdam, An der Sternwarte 16, D-14482 Potsdam, Germany |
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Abstract: | The evolution of neutron stars in close binary systems with a low-mass companion is considered, assuming the magnetic field to be confined within the solid crust. We adopt the standard scenario for the evolution in a close binary system, in which the neutron star passes through four evolutionary phases ('isolated pulsar'–'propeller'– accretion from the wind of a companion – accretion resulting from Roche-lobe overflow). Calculations have been performed for a great variety of parameters characterizing the properties of both the neutron star and the low-mass companion. We find that neutron stars with more or less standard magnetic field and spin period that are processed in low-mass binaries can evolve to low-field rapidly rotating pulsars. Even if the main-sequence life of a companion is as long as 1010 yr, the neutron star can maintain a relatively strong magnetic field to the end of the accretion phase. The model that is considered can account well for the origin of millisecond pulsars. |
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Keywords: | binaries: close stars: magnetic fields stars: neutron pulsars: general X-rays: stars |
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