arXiv subjects

Frederick K. Lamb

Publications and source records attributed to Frederick K. Lamb.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2011

Implications of high-precision spectra of thermonuclear X-ray bursts for determining neutron star masses and radii

X-ray burst spectra have long been used to estimate neutron star masses and radii. These estimates assumed that burst spectra are accurately described by the model atmosphere spectra developed over the last three decades. We compared RXTE data from a superburst with these spectra and found that the spectra predicted by previously published model atmospheres are strongly inconsistent with these high-precision measurements. In contrast, a simple Bose-Einstein spectrum is fully consistent with the data, as are recently published model atmosphere spectra. We discuss the implications of our results for determinations of neutron star masses and radii via constraints on their surface gravity and redshift, as originally suggested by Majczyna and Madej.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

Global 3D Simulations of Disc Accretion onto the classical T Tauri Star V2129 Oph

The magnetic field of the classical T Tauri star V2129 Oph can be modeled approximately by superposing slightly tilted dipole and octupole moments, with polar magnetic field strengths of 0.35kG and 1.2kG respectively (Donati et al. 2007). Here we construct a numerical model of V2129 Oph incorporating this result and simulate accretion onto the star. Simulations show that the disk is truncated by the dipole component and matter flows towards the star in two funnel streams. Closer to the star, the flow is redirected by the octupolar component, with some of the matter flowing towards the high-latitude poles, and the rest into the octupolar belts. The shape and position of the spots differ from those in a pure dipole case, where crescent-shaped spots are observed at the intermediate latitudes. Simulations show that if the disk is truncated at the distance of 6.2 R_* which is comparable with the co-rotation radius, 6.8 R_*, then the high-latitude polar spots dominate, but the accretion rate obtained from the simulations is about an order of magnitude lower than the observed one. The accretion rate matches the observed one if the disk is disrupted much closer to the star, at 3.4 R_*. However, the octupolar belt spots strongly dominate. Better match has been obtained in experiments with a dipole field twice as strong. The torque on the star from the disk-magnetosphere interaction is small, and the time-scale of spin evolution, 2 x10^7-10^9 years is longer than the 2x10^6 years age of V2129 Oph. The external magnetic flux of the star is strongly influenced by the disk: the field lines connecting the disk and the star inflate and form magnetic towers above and below the disk. The potential (vacuum) approximation is still valid inside the Alfvén (magnetospheric) surface where the magnetic stress dominates over the matter stress.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2010

Super-Eddington fluxes during thermonuclear X-ray bursts

It has been known for nearly three decades that the energy spectra of thermonuclear X-ray bursts are often well-fit by Planck functions with temperatures so high that they imply a super-Eddington radiative flux at the emitting surface, even during portions of bursts when there is no evidence of photospheric radius expansion. This apparent inconsistency is usually set aside by assuming that the flux is actually sub-Eddington and that the fitted temperature is so high because the spectrum has been distorted by the energy-dependent opacity of the atmosphere. Here we show that the spectra predicted by currently available conventional atmosphere models appear incompatible with the highest-precision measurements of burst spectra made using the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer, such as during the 4U 1820-30 superburst and a long burst from GX 17+2. In contrast, these measurements are well-fit by Bose-Einstein spectra with high temperatures and modest chemical potentials. Such spectra are very similar to Planck spectra. They imply surface radiative fluxes more than a factor of three larger than the Eddington flux. We find that segments of many other bursts from many sources are well-fit by similar Bose-Einstein spectra, suggesting that the radiative flux at the emitting surface also exceeds the Eddington flux during these segments. We suggest that burst spectra can closely approximate Bose-Einstein spectra and have fluxes that exceed the Eddington flux because they are formed by Comptonization in an extended, low-density radiating gas supported by the outward radiation force and confined by a tangled magnetic field.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

A model for the waveform behavior of accreting millisecond pulsars: Nearly aligned magnetic fields and moving emission regions

We investigate further a model of the accreting millisecond X-ray pulsars we proposed earlier. In this model, the X-ray-emitting regions of these pulsars are near their spin axes but move. This is to be expected if the magnetic poles of these stars are close to their spin axes, so that accreting gas is channeled there. As the accretion rate and the structure of the inner disk vary, gas is channeled along different field lines to different locations on the stellar surface, causing the X-ray-emitting areas to move. We show that this "nearly aligned moving spot model" can explain many properties of the accreting millisecond X-ray pulsars, including their generally low oscillation amplitudes and nearly sinusoidal waveforms; the variability of their pulse amplitudes, shapes, and phases; the correlations in this variability; and the similarity of the accretion- and nuclear-powered pulse shapes and phases in some. It may also explain why accretion-powered millisecond pulsars are difficult to detect, why some are intermittent, and why all detected so far are transients. This model can be tested by comparing with observations the waveform changes it predicts, including the changes with accretion rate.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2009

Origin of intermittent accretion-powered X-ray oscillations in neutron stars with millisecond spin periods

We have shown previously that many of the properties of persistent accretion-powered millisecond pulsars can be understood if their X-ray emitting areas are near their spin axes and move as the accretion rate and structure of the inner disk vary. Here we show that this "nearly aligned moving spot model" may also explain the intermittent accretion-powered pulsations that have been detected in three weakly magnetic accreting neutron stars. We show that movement of the emitting area from very close to the spin axis to about 10 degrees away can increase the fractional rms amplitude from less than about 0.5 percent, which is usually undetectable with current instruments, to a few percent, which is easily detectable. The second harmonic of the spin frequency usually would not be detected, in agreement with observations. The model produces intermittently detectable oscillations for a range of emitting area sizes and beaming patterns, stellar masses and radii, and viewing directions. Intermittent oscillations are more likely in stars that are more compact. In addition to explaining the sudden appearance of accretion-powered millisecond oscillations in some neutron stars with millisecond spin periods, the model explains why accretion-powered millisecond oscillations are relatively rare and predicts that the persistent accretion-powered millisecond oscillations of other stars may become undetectable for brief intervals. It suggests why millisecond oscillations are frequently detected during the X-ray bursts of some neutron stars but not others and suggests mechanisms that could explain the occasional temporal association of intermittent accretion-powered oscillations with thermonuclear X-ray bursts.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Implications of kHz QPOs for the spin frequencies and magnetic fields of neutron stars: new results from Circinus X-1

Detection of paired kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPOs) in the X-ray emission of a compact object is compelling evidence that the object is an accreting neutron star. In many neutron stars, the stellar spin rate is equal or roughly equal to Delta-nu, the frequency separation of the QPO pair, or to 2Delta-nu. Hence, if the mechanism that produces the kilohertz QPOs is similar in all stars, measurement of Delta-nu can provide an estimate of the star's spin rate. The involvement of the stellar spin in producing Delta-nu indicates that the magnetic fields of these stars are dynamically important. We focus here on the implications of the paired kHz QPOs recently discovered in the low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) system Cir X-1 (Boutloukos et al. 2006). The kHz QPOs discovered in Cir X-1 are generally similar to those seen in other stars, establishing that the compact object in the Cir X-1 system is a neutron star. However, the frequency nu-u of its upper kHz QPO is up to a factor of three smaller than is typical, and Delta-nu varies by about a factor 2 (167 Hz, the largest variation so far observed). Periodic oscillations have not yet been detected from Cir X-1, so its spin rate has not yet been measured directly. The low values of nu-u and the large variation of Delta-nu challenge current models of the generation of kHz QPOs. Improving our understanding of Cir X-1 will improve our knowledge of the spin rates and magnetic fields of all neutron stars.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Accreting Neutron Stars in Low-Mass X-Ray Binary Systems

Using the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RossiXTE), astronomers have discovered that disk-accreting neutron stars with weak magnetic fields produce three distinct types of high-frequency X-ray oscillations. These oscillations are powered by release of the binding energy of matter falling into the strong gravitational field of the star or by the sudden nuclear burning of matter that has accumulated in the outermost layers of the star. The frequencies of the oscillations reflect the orbital frequencies of gas deep in the gravitational field of the star and/or the spin frequency of the star. These oscillations can therefore be used to explore fundamental physics, such as strong-field gravity and the properties of matter under extreme conditions, and important astrophysical questions, such as the formation and evolution of millisecond pulsars. Observations using RossiXTE have shown that some two dozen neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binary systems have the spin rates and magnetic fields required to become millisecond radio-emitting pulsars when accretion ceases, but that few have spin rates above about 600 Hz. The properties of these stars show that the paucity of spin rates greater than 600 Hz is due in part to the magnetic braking component of the accretion torque and to the limited amount of angular momentum that can be accreted in such systems. Further study will show whether braking by gravitational radiation is also a factor. Analysis of the kilohertz oscillations has provided the first evidence for the existence of the innermost stable circular orbit around dense relativistic stars that is predicted by strong-field general relativity. It has also greatly narrowed the possible descriptions of ultradense matter.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Peak Luminosities of the Hard States of GX 339-4: Implications for the Accretion Geometry, Disk Mass, and Black Hole Mass

We have analyzed observations of the black hole transient {GX 339$-$4} made with the {\it Rossi} X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) and the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on board the Compton Gamma-ray Observatory (CGRO). We have found a nearly linear relation between the peak flux during the low/hard (LH) state that occurs at the beginning of an outburst and the time since the flux peak of the latest LH state identified in the previous outburst. Assuming that the rate at which mass accumulates in the accretion disk between these peaks is constant and that any mass that remains in the disk after an outburst has a negligible effect on the next outburst, this nearly linear relation suggests that the peak flux during the LH state that occurs at the beginning of an outburst is related to the mass in the disk, and thus that the entire disk is probably involved in powering these LH states. We have also found a positive correlation between the peak luminosities of the LH state in the three recent outbursts of {GX 339$-$4} and the peak luminosities of the following HS state. This correlation is similar to the correlations reported previously for {Aql X$-$1}, {4U 1705$-$44}, and {XTE J1550$-$564}, providing further support that the accretion flow that powers the LH state is related to the accretion flow that powers the following HS state. Although the luminosity of the LH-to-HS transition varies by up to an order of magnitude, the neutron stars and the black holes are distinguishable in the state transition luminosity. We discuss the implications for the mass determination of the compact stars in the ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs).

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

High Frequency QPOs in Neutron Stars and Black Holes: Probing Dense Matter and Strong Gravitational Fields

Quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) have been discovered in the X-ray emission of many neutron stars and black holes. The QPOs with frequencies greater than about 300 Hz are thought to be produced near the surfaces of neutron stars and the event horizons of black holes. I first summarize some of the most important properties of the QPOs seen in neutron star and black hole systems. I then review some of the models that have been proposed and compare them with observational data. Finally, I describe how these QPOs can be used to determine the properties of dense matter and strong gravitational fields.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Production and evolution of millisecond X-ray and radio pulsars

Observations using the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer have discovered dozens of accreting neutron stars with millisecond spin periods in low-mass binary star systems. Eighteen are millisecond X-ray pulsars powered by accretion or nuclear burning or both. These stars have magnetic fields strong enough for them to become millisecond rotation-powered (radio) pulsars when accretion ceases. Few, if any, accretion- or rotation-powered pulsars have spin rates higher than 750 Hz. There is strong evidence that the spin-up of some accreting neutron stars is limited by magnetic spin equilibrium whereas the spin-up of others is halted when accretion ends. Further study will show whether the spin rates of some accretion- or rotation-powered pulsars are or were limited by emission of gravitational radiation.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

The Shapes of Atomic Lines from the Surfaces of Weakly Magnetic Rotating Neutron Stars and Their Implications

Motivated by the report by Cottam et al. (2002) of iron resonance scattering lines in the spectra of thermonuclear bursts from EXO 0748-676, we have investigated the information about neutron star structure and the geometry of the emission region that can be obtained by analyzing the profiles of atomic lines formed at the surface of the star. We have calculated the detailed profiles of such lines, taking into account the star's spin and the full effects of special and general relativity, including light-bending and frame-dragging. We discuss the line shapes produced by rotational Doppler broadening and magnetic splitting of atomic lines, for the spin rates and magnetic fields expected in neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binary systems. We show that narrow lines are possible even for rapidly spinning stars, if the emission region or the line of sight are close to the spin axis. For most neutron stars in low-mass systems, magnetic splitting is too small to obscure the effects of special and general relativity. We show that the ratio of the star's mass to its equatorial radius can be determined to within 5% using atomic line profiles, even if the lines are broad and skewed. This is the precision required to constrain strongly the equation of state of neutron star matter. We show further that if the radius and latitude of emission are known to ~ 5-10% accuracy, then frame-dragging has a potentially detectable effect on the profiles of atomic lines formed at the stellar surface.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

Understanding High-Density Matter Through Analysis of Surface Spectral Lines and Burst Oscillations from Accreting Neutron Stars

We discuss millisecond period brightness oscillations and surface atomic spectral lines observed during type I X-ray bursts from a neutron star in a low mass X-ray binary system. We show that modeling of these phenomena can constrain models of the dense cold matter at the cores of neutron stars. We demonstrate that, even for a broad and asymmetric spectral line, the stellar radius-to-mass ratio can be inferred to better than 5%. We also fit our theoretical models to the burst oscillation data of the low mass X-ray binary XTE J1814-338, and find that the 90% confidence lower limit of the neutron star's dimensionless radius-to-mass ratio is 4.2.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

Neutron Stars

This short encyclopedia article, reviewing current information on neutron stars, is intended for a broad scientific audience.

physics.pop-ph↗

arXiv2004

Spin Rates and Magnetic Fields of Millisecond Pulsars

Observations made using the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer have shown that accreting weak-field neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binary systems (LMXBs) produce three distinct types of millisecond X-ray oscillations that can be used to determine the spin rates and estimate the magnetic fields of these stars. These oscillations show that more than two dozen neutron stars in LMXBs have spin rates and magnetic fields in the range that will make them radio-emitting millisecond pulsars when accretion ceases, supporting the hypothesis that neutron stars in LMXBs are the progenitors of the rotation-powered millisecond pulsars. The spins of the 16 known accreting millisecond pulsars in LMXBs are consistent with spin-up to accretion spin equilibrium for magnetic fields ranging from 3 x 10^7 G to 3 x 10^8 G and time-averaged accretion rates ranging from 3 x 10^{-3} MdotE to MdotE, provided these stars have been accreting long enough. The P-Pdot distribution of rotation-powered millisecond pulsars indicates that their initial spins are set by spin-up to spin equilibrium at accretion rates ranging from 10^{-3} MdotE to MdotE or that they never reached accretion spin equilibrium.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

Sonic-Point and Spin-Resonance Model of the Kilohertz QPO Pairs

KHz QPOs have now been detected in more than twenty accreting neutron stars in low-mass binary systems. Two kHz QPOs are usually detected in each star. Burst oscillations and two kHz QPOs have recently been detected in the 401 Hz accretion-powered X-ray pulsar SAX J1808.4-3658. In this star the frequency of the burst oscillation is approximately equal to the star's spin frequency nu_spin whereas the frequency separation of the two kHz QPOs is approximately nu_spin/2. If as expected the frequency of the burst oscillations in other stars is also approximately nu_spin, the frequency separation is approximately nu_spin in some stars but approximately nu_spin/2 in others. A frequency separation approximately equal to nu_spin/2 is unexplained in all existing models of the kHz QPOs. Here we propose a modified version of the sonic-point beat-frequency model that can explain within a single framework why the frequency separation is close to nu_spin in some stars but close to nu_spin/2 in others. As in the original sonic-point model, the frequency nu_QPO2 of the upper kHz QPO is close to the orbital frequency nu_orb at the radius r_{sp} of the sonic point in the disk flow. We show that magnetic and radiation fields rotating with the star will preferentially excite vertical motions in the disk at the "spin-resonance'' radius r_{sr} where nu_orb - nu_spin is equal to the vertical epicyclic frequency, producing vertical motions in the disk that modulate the X-ray flux at approximately nu_QPO2 - nu_spin or approximately nu_QPO2 - nu_spin/2, depending on whether the disk flow at r_{sr} is smooth or clumped. This sonic-point and spin-resonance model can also explain quantitatively the decrease of the kHz QPO frequency separation with increasing accretion rate that is observed in many sources.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Changing Frequency Separation of Kilohertz Quasi-Periodic Oscillations in the Sonic-Point Beat-Frequency Model

Previous work on the sonic-point beat-frequency (SPBF) model of the kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) observed in the X-ray flux from neutron stars in low-mass binary systems has shown that it naturally explains many properties of these QPOs. These include the existence of just two principal QPOs in a given source, the commensurability of the frequency separation \Dnu\ of the two kilohertz QPOs and the spin frequency \nus inferred from burst oscillations, and the high frequencies, coherence, and amplitudes of these QPOs. Here we show that the SPBF model predicts that \Dnu is less than but close to \nus, consistent with the observed differences between \Dnu and \nus. It also explains naturally the decrease in \Dnu with increasing QPO frequency seen in some sources and the plateau in the QPO frequency--X-ray flux observed in 4U 1820-30. The model fits well the QPO frequency behavior observed in Sco X-1, 4U 1608-52, 4U 1728-34, and 4U 1820-30 (chisqdof = 0.4-2.1), giving masses ranging from 1.59 to 2.0 Msun and spin rates ranging from 279 to 364 Hz. In the SPBF model, the kilohertz QPOs are effects of strong-field gravity. Thus, if the model is validated, the kilohertz QPOs can be used not only to determine the properties of neutron stars but also to explore quantitatively general relativistic effects in the strong-field regime.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

The power spectral properties of the Z-source GX 340+0

We present an analysis of ~390 ksec of data of the Z source GX 340+0 taken during 24 observations with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer satellite. We report the discovery of a new broad component in the power spectra. The frequency of this component varied between 9 and 14 Hz, and remained close to half that of the horizontal branch quasi-periodic oscillations (HBO). Its rms amplitude was consistent with being constant around ~5%, while its FWHM increased with frequency from 7 to 18 Hz. If this sub-HBO component is the fundamental frequency, then the HBO and its second harmonic are the second and fourth harmonic component, while the third harmonic was not detected. This is similar to what was recently found for the black hole candidate XTE J1550-564. The profiles of both the horizontal- and the normal branch quasi-periodic oscillation peaks were asymmetric when they were strongest. We describe this in terms of a shoulder component at the high frequency side of the quasi-periodic oscillation peak, whose rms amplitudes were approximately constant at ~4% and \~3%, respectively. The peak separation between the twin kHz quasi-periodic oscillations was consistent with being constant at 339+-8 Hz but a trend similar to that seen in, e.g. Sco X-1 could not be excluded. We discuss our results within the framework of the various models which have been proposed for the kHz QPOs and low frequency peaks.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

R-Mode Oscillations in Rotating Magnetic Neutron Stars

We show that r-mode oscillations distort the magnetic fields of neutron stars and that their occurrence is likely to be limited by this interaction. If the field is gtrsim 10^{16} (Omega/Omega_B) G, where Omega and Omega_B are the angular velocities of the star and at which mass shedding occurs, r-mode oscillations cannot occur. Much weaker fields will prevent gravitational radiation from exciting r-mode oscillations or damp them on a relatively short timescale by extracting energy from the modes faster than gravitational wave emission can pump energy into them. For example, a 10^{10} G poloidal magnetic field that threads the star's superconducting core is likely to prevent the ell=2 mode from being excited unless Omega exceeds 0.35 Omega_B. If Omega is larger than 0.35 Omega_B initially, the ell=2 mode may be excited but is likely to decay rapidly once Omega falls below 0.35 Omega_B, which happens in lesssim 15^d if the saturation amplitude is gtrsim 0.1. The r-mode oscillations may play an important role in determining the structure of neutron star magnetic fields.

astro-ph↗