arXiv subjects

Andrey I. Chugunov

Publications and source records attributed to Andrey I. Chugunov.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Neutron transfer reactions in accreting neutron stars

I suggest a novel type of nuclear reactions in accreting neutron stars - neutron transfer, which is quantum tunneling of weakly bounded neutron from one nucleus to another. I estimate the rate of this process for fixed nuclei separation and then average the result over realistic distribution of nuclei to get the rate value for astrophysical conditions. The neutron transfer can modify reaction chains in accreting neutron stars, thus affecting their heating and cooling. In particular, it can suppress cooling by URCA pairs of nuclei, which is supposed to be crucial for the hottest neutron stars.

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arXiv2018

Long term evolution of CFS-unstable neutron stars and role of differential rotation on short time-scales

I consider differential rotation, associated with radiation-driven Chandrasekhar-Friedman-Schutz (CFS) instability and its possible observational evidences. I focus on the evolution of the apparent spin frequency, which is typically associated with the motion of a specific point on the stellar surface (e.g., polar cap). I start from long-term evolution (on the timescale when instability significantly changes the spin frequency). For this case, I reduce evolution equations to one differential equation and demonstrate that it can be directly derived from energy conservation law. This equation governs evolution rate through sequence of thermally equilibrium states and provides linear coupling for the cooling power and rotation energy losses via gravitational wave emission. In particular, it shows that differential rotation do not affect long-term spin-down. On the contrary, on the short timescales, differential rotation can significantly modify the apparent spin-down, if one examines a strongly unstable star with very small initial amplitude of unstable mode. This statement is confirmed by consideration of Newtonian non-magnetized perfect fluid and dissipative stellar models as well as magnetized stellar model. For example, despite that widely applied evolution equations predict effective spin to be constant in absence of dissipation, the CFS-unstable star should be observed as spinning-down. However, effects of differential rotation on apparent spin-down are negligible for realistic models of neutron star recycling, unless: (1) the neutron star is not magnetized, and (2) r-mode amplitude is modulated faster than the shear viscosity dissipation timescale, being large enough that spin-down can be measured on modulation timescale.

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arXiv2018

Limits on Magnetic Field Amplification from the r-Mode Instability

At second order in perturbation theory, the unstable r-mode of a rotating star includes growing differential rotation whose form and growth rate are determined by gravitational-radiation reaction. With no magnetic field, the angular velocity of a fluid element grows exponentially until the mode reaches its nonlinear saturation amplitude and remains nonzero after saturation. With a background magnetic field, the differential rotation winds up and amplifies the field, and previous work where large mode amplitudes were considered suggests that the amplification may damp out the instability. A background magnetic field, however, turns the saturated time-independent perturbations corresponding to adding differential rotation into perturbations whose characteristic frequencies are of order the Alfvén frequency. As found in previous studies, we argue that magnetic- field growth is sharply limited by the saturation amplitude of an unstable mode. In contrast to previous work, however, we show that if the amplitude is small, i.e., of order 10^(-4), then the limit on the magnetic-field growth is stringent enough to prevent the loss of energy to the magnetic field from damping or significantly altering an unstable r-mode in nascent neutron stars with normal interiors and in cold stars whose interiors are type II superconductors. We show this result first for a toy model, and we then obtain an analogous upper limit on magnetic field growth using a more realistic model of a rotating neutron star. Our analysis depends on the assumption that there are no marginally unstable perturbations, and this may not hold when differential rotation leads to a magnetorotational instability.

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arXiv2017

Magnetic field amplification by the r-mode instability

We discuss magnetic field enhancement by unstable r-modes (driven by the gravitational radiation reaction force) in rotating stars. In the absence of a magnetic field, gravitational radiation exponentially increases the r-mode amplitude $α$, and accelerates differential rotation (secular motion of fluid elements). For a magnetized star, differential rotation enhances the magnetic field energy. Rezzolla et al. (2000--2001) argued that if the magnetic energy grows faster than the gravitational radiation reaction force pumps energy into the r-modes, then the r-mode instability is suppressed. Chugunov (2015) demonstrated that without gravitational radiation, differential rotation can be treated as a degree of freedom decoupled from the r-modes and controlled by the back reaction of the magnetic field. In particular, the magnetic field windup does not damp r-modes. Here we discuss the effect of the back reaction of the magnetic field on differential rotation of unstable r-modes, and show that it limits the generated magnetic field and the magnetic energy growth rate preventing suppression of the r-mode instability by magnetic windup at low saturation amplitudes, $α\ll 1$, predicted by current models.

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arXiv2017

Radiation driven instability of rapidly rotating relativistic stars: criterion and evolution equations via multipolar expansion of gravitational waves

I suggest a novel approach for deriving evolution equations for rapidly rotating relativistic stars affected by radiation-driven Chandrasekhar-Friedman-Schutz (CFS) instability. This approach is based on the multipolar expansion of gravitational wave emission and appeals to the global physical properties of the star (energy, angular momentum, and thermal state), but not to canonical energy and angular momentum, which is traditional. It leads to simple derivation of the CFS instability criterion for normal modes and the evolution equations for a star, affected by this instability. The approach also gives a precise form to simple explanation of the CFS instability: it occurs when two conditions met: (a) gravitational wave emission removes angular momentum from the rotating star (thus releasing the rotation energy) and (b) gravitational waves carry less energy, than the released amount of the rotation energy. Results are illustrated by r-mode instability in slowly rotating Newtonian stars. In resulting evolution equations emission of gravitational waves directly affects the spin frequency, being in line with the arguments by Levin & Ushomirsky (2001), but in contrast to widely accepted equations by Lindblom et al. (1998); Ho & Lai (2000), there effective spin frequency decrease is coupled with dissipation of unstable mode. This problem, initially stressed by Levin & Ushomirsky (2001), is shown to be superficial, and arises as a result of definition of the effective spin frequency by Lindblom et al. (1998); Ho & Lai (2000). Namely, it is shown, that if this definition is taken into account properly, the evolution equations coincide with obtained here in the leading order in mode amplitude. I also argue that the next-to-leading order terms in evolution equations (which differ for Owen et al. 1998 and Ho & Lai 2000) require clarification and thus it would be more self-consistent to omit them.

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arXiv2017

Chandra studies of the globular cluster 47 Tucanae: A deeper X-ray source catalogue, five new X-ray counterparts to millisecond radio pulsars, and new constraints to r-mode instability window

We combined Chandra ACIS observations of the globular cluster 47 Tucanae (hereafter, 47 Tuc) from 2000, 2002, and 2014-15 to create a deeper X-ray source list, and study some of the faint radio millisecond pulsars (MSPs) present in this cluster. We have detected 370 X-ray sources within the half-mass radius (2$'$.79) of the cluster, 81 of which are newly identified, by including new data and using improved source detection techniques. The majority of the newly identified sources are in the crowded core region, indicating cluster membership. We associate five of the new X-ray sources with chromospherically active BY Dra or W UMa variables identified by Albrow et al. (2001). We present alternative positions derived from two methods, centroiding and image reconstruction, for faint, crowded sources. We are able to extract X-ray spectra of the recently discovered MSPs 47 Tuc aa, 47 Tuc ab, the newly timed MSP 47 Tuc Z, and the newly resolved MSPs 47 Tuc S and 47 Tuc F. Generally, they are well fit by black body or neutron star atmosphere models, with temperatures, luminosities and emitting radii similar to those of other known MSPs in 47 Tuc, though 47 Tuc aa and 47 Tuc ab reach lower X-ray luminosities. We limit X-ray emission from the full surface of the rapidly spinning (542 Hz) MSP 47 Tuc aa, and use this limit to put an upper bound for amplitude of r-mode oscillations in this pulsar as $α<2.5\times 10^{-9}$ and constrain the shape of the r-mode instability window.

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arXiv2017

R-modes and neutron star recycling scenario

To put new constraints on the r-mode instability window, we analyse the formation of millisecond pulsars (MSPs) within the recycling scenario, making use of three sets of observations: (a) X-ray observations of neutron stars (NSs) in low-mass X-ray binaries; (b) timing of millisecond pulsars; and (c) X-ray and UV observations of MSPs. As shown in previous works, r-mode dissipation by shear viscosity is not sufficient to explain observational set (a), and enhanced r-mode dissipation at the red-shifted internal temperatures $T^\infty\sim 10^8$ K is required to stabilize the observed NSs. Here, we argue that models with enhanced bulk viscosity can hardly lead to a self-consistent explanation of observational set (a) due to strong neutrino emission, which is typical for these models (unrealistically powerful energy source is required to keep NSs at the observed temperatures). We also demonstrate that the observational set (b), combined with the theory of internal heating and NS cooling, provides evidence of enhanced r-mode dissipation at low temperatures, $T^\infty\sim 2\times 10^7$ K. Observational set (c) allows us to set an upper limit on the internal temperatures of MSPs, $T^\infty<2\times 10^7$ K (assuming a canonical NS with the accreted crust). Recycling scenario can produce MSPs at these temperatures only if r-mode instability is suppressed in the whole MSP spin frequency range ($ν\lesssim 750$ Hz) at temperatures $2\times 10^7\lesssim T^\infty\lesssim 3 \times 10^7$ K, providing thus a new constraint on the r-mode instability window. These observational constraints are analysed in more details in application to the resonance uplift scenario of Gusakov et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett., 112 (2014), 151101].

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arXiv2015

Differential rotation and r-modes in magnetized neutron stars

Rezzolla et al. [ApJ 531 (2000), L139; Phys. Rev. D 64 (2001), 104013; Phys. Rev. D 64 (2001), 104014] draw attention to the second order secular drift associated with r-modes and claimed that it should lead to magnetic field enhancement and suppression of r-mode instability in magnetized neutron stars. We critically revise these results. We present a particular second order r-mode solution with vanishing secular drift, thus refuting a widely believed statement that secular drift is an unavoidable feature of r-modes. This non-drifting solution is not affected by magnetic field $B$, if $B\ll B_{\mathrm{crit}}\approx 10^{17}\,(ν/600\,\mathrm{Hz})$ G ($ν$ is a spin frequency) and does not lead to secular evolution of magnetic field. For general second order r-mode solution the drift does not necessarily vanish, but the solution can be presented as a superposition of two solutions: one describes evolution of differential rotation in nonoscillating star (which describes secular drift; for nonmagnetized star it is arbitrary stationary rotation stratified on cylinders; for magnetized star differential rotation evolves on the Alfvén timescale and may lead to magnetic energy enhancement), and another one is non-drifting r-mode solution mentioned above. This representation allows us to conclude that enhancement of magnetic field energy is limited by initial energy of differential rotation, which is much less (for a factor $\propto α^2$, where $α$ is mode amplitude) than the total energy of r-mode. Hence, magnetic field enhancement by drift cannot suppress r-mode instability. Results can be generalized for any oscillation mode in any medium, if this mode has non-drifting solution for $B=0$.

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arXiv2014

New possible class of neutron stars: hot and fast non-accreting rotators

A new class of neutron stars (NSs) -- hot rapidly rotating non-accreting NSs, which we propose to call HOFNARs (HOt and Fast Non-Accreting Rotators) or "hot widows" (in analogy with "black widow" pulsars) -- is suggested. We argue that such stars should originate from the low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) provided that they were unstable with respect to excitation of $r$-modes at the end of accretion epoch (when their low-mass companions ceased to fill the Roche lobe). High temperature of "hot widows"/HOFNARs is maintained by $r$-mode dissipation rather than by accretion. We analyse observational properties of "hot widows"/HOFNARs and demonstrate that these objects form a specific separate class of neutron stars. In particular, some of the most stable X-ray sources among the candidates to quiescent LMXB systems (qLMXBs), can, in fact, belong to that new class. We formulate observational criteria which allow to distinguish "hot widows"/HOFNARs from qLMXB systems, and argue that available observations of X-ray sources 47 Tuc X5 and X7 satisfy (or, at least, do not contradict) these criteria. In addition, we discuss indirect evidences in favor of "hot widows"/HOFNARs existence, following from the analysis of observations and predictions of population synthesis theories. If that new class of NSs does exist, it would prove the possibility to emit gravitational waves by mass-current multipole. Various applications of our results, such as prospects for constraining superdense matter properties with hot widows"/HOFNARs, are analyzed.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2014

Explaining observations of rapidly rotating neutron stars in LMXBs

In a previous paper [M. E. Gusakov, A. I. Chugunov, and E. M. Kantor, Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 151101 (2014)], we introduced a new scenario that explains the existence of rapidly rotating warm neutron stars (NSs) observed in low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs). Here it is described in more detail. The scenario takes into account the interaction between superfluid inertial modes and the normal (quadrupole) $m=2$ $r$-mode, which can be driven unstable by Chandrasekhar-Friedman-Schutz (CFS) mechanism. This interaction can only occur at some fixed "resonance" stellar temperatures; it leads to formation of the "stability peaks" which stabilize a star in the vicinity of these temperatures. We demonstrate that a NS in LMXB spends a substantial fraction of time on the stability peak, that is, in the region of stellar temperatures and spin frequencies, that has been previously thought to be CFS unstable with respect to excitation of $r$-modes. We also find that the spin frequencies of NSs are limited by the CFS instability of normal (octupole) $m=3$ $r$-mode rather than by $m=2$ $r$-mode. This result agrees with the predicted value of the cutoff spin frequency $\sim 730$ Hz in the spin distribution of accreting millisecond X-ray pulsars. In addition, we analyze evolution of a NS after the end of the accretion phase and demonstrate that millisecond pulsars can be born in LMXBs within our scenario. Besides millisecond pulsars, our scenario also predicts a new class of LMXB descendants - hot and rapidly rotating nonaccreting NSs ("hot widows"/HOFNARs). Further comparison of the proposed theory with observations of rotating NSs can impose new important constraints on the properties of superdense matter.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

Instability windows and evolution of rapidly rotating neutron stars

We consider an instability of rapidly rotating neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) with respect to excitation of r-modes (which are analogous to Earth's Rossby waves controlled by the Coriolis force). We argue that finite temperature effects in the superfluid core of a neutron star lead to a resonance coupling and enhanced damping (and hence stability) of oscillation modes at certain stellar temperatures. Using a simple phenomenological model we demonstrate that neutron stars with high spin frequency may spend a substantial amount of time at these `resonance' temperatures. This finding allows us to explain puzzling observations of hot rapidly rotating neutron stars in LMXBs and to predict a new class of hot, non-accreting, rapidly rotating neutron stars, some of which may have already been observed and tentatively identified as quiescent LMXB (qLMXB) candidates. We also impose a new theoretical limit on the neutron star spin frequency, explaining the cut-off spin frequency ~730 Hz, following from the statistical analysis of accreting millisecond X-ray pulsars. Besides explaining the observations, our model provides a new tool to constrain superdense matter properties comparing measured and theoretically predicted resonance temperatures.

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