Accretion disk reversal and the spin-up/spin-down of accreting pulsars

Abstract

We numerically investigate the hydrodynamics of accretion disk reversal and relate our findings to the observed spin-rate changes in the accreting X-ray pulsar GX~1+4. In this system, which accretes from a slow wind, the accretion disk contains two dynamically distinct regions. In the inner part viscous forces are dominant and disk evolution occurs on a viscous timescale. In the outer part dynamical mixing of material with opposite angular momentum is more important, and the externally imposed angular momentum reversal timescale governs the flow. In this outer region the disk is split into concentric rings of material with opposite senses of rotation that do not mix completely but instead remain distinct, with a clear gap between them. We thus predict that torque reversals resulting from accretion disk reversals will be accompanied by minima in accretion luminosity.