arXiv subjects

S. B. Popov

Publications and source records attributed to S. B. Popov.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

Probing the propeller regime with wide neutron star binaries

We model the duration of the propeller stage in wide binary systems with neutron stars and calculate the time of accretion onset for various propeller models. We apply our modeling to the symbiotic X-ray binary SWIFT J0850.8-4219. Unless a propeller with a very slow spin-down is operating, it is very improbable to find a system similar to SWIFT J0850.8-4219 at the propeller stage. Then we model the evolution of a neutron star in a binary with a solar-like companion. We calculate for which orbital separations and magnetic fields a neutron star can start to accrete while the companion is still on the Main sequence. We demonstrate that for the magnetic field $B\lesssim10^{12}$~G neutron stars at the orbital separation $a\gtrsim 1$~AU do not reach the propeller stage. In the case of a slow propeller spin-down, neutron stars never start to accrete. For the more rapid propeller spin-down, a neutron star can start to accrete or spend a long time at the propeller stage depending on the parameters.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

Probing the Propeller Regime with Symbiotic X-ray Binaries

At the moment, there are two neutron star X-ray binaries with massive red supergiants as donors. De et al. (2023) proposed that the system SWIFT J0850.8-4219 contains a neutron star at the propeller stage. We study this possibility by applying various models of propeller spin-down. We demonstrate that the duration of the propeller stage is very sensitive to the regime of rotational losses. Only in the case of a relatively slow propeller model proposed by Davies and Pringle (1981), the duration of the propeller is long enough to provide a significant probability to observe the system at this stage. Future determination of the system parameters (orbital and spin periods, magnetic field of the compact object, etc.) will allow putting strong constraints on the propeller behavior.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

Spin evolution of neutron stars

In this paper we review the basics of magneto-rotational properties of neutron stars focusing on spin-up/spin-down behavior at different evolutionary stages. The main goal is to provide equations for the spin frequency changes in various regimes (radio pulsar, propeller, accretor, etc.). Since presently spin behavior of neutron stars at all stages remains a subject of many uncertainties, we review different suggestions made over the years in the literature.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

Early Accretion Onset in Long-Period Isolated Pulsars

We model long-term magneto-rotational evolution of isolated neutron stars with long initial spin periods. This analysis is motivated by the recent discovery of young long-period neutron stars observed as periodic radio sources: PSR J0901-4046, GLEAM-X J1627-52, and GPM J1839-10. Our calculations demonstrate that for realistically rapid spin-down during the propeller stage isolated neutron stars with velocities $\lesssim100$ km s$^{-1}$ and assumed long initial spin periods can reach the stage of accretion from the interstellar medium within at most a few billion years as they are born already at the propeller stage or sufficiently close to the critical period of the ejector-propeller transition. If neutron stars with long initial spin periods form a relatively large fraction of all Galactic neutron stars then the number of isolated accretors is substantially larger than it has been predicted by previous studies.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Evolutionary Status of Long-Period Radio Pulsars

We analyze the evolutionary status of recently discovered long-period radio sources PSR J0901-4046, GLEAM-X J1627-52, and GPM J1839-10. We discuss the hypothesis that all three sources are radio pulsars. In the framework of standard scenarios, it is often accepted that the pulsar mechanism is switched off when an external matter can penetrate the light cylinder. If the matter is stopped outside the light cylinder then the neutron star is at the ejector stage. We demonstrate that for realistic parameters of the interstellar medium, the 76-second pulsar PSR J0901-4046 might be at this stage. However, sources GLEAM-X J1627-52 and GPM J1839-10 with periods $\gtrsim 1000$ s can be ejectors only in the case of unrealistically large dipolar fields $\gtrsim 10^{16}$ G. Also, we show that neutron stars with spin periods $\sim 100$ s and dipolar magnetic fields $\lesssim 10^{13}$ G cannot be ejectors in a typical interstellar medium. Thus, we predict that long-period pulsars with standard fields will not be discovered.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Population synthesis of exoplanets accounting for orbital variations due to stellar evolution

In this paper, the evolution of exoplanet orbits at the late stages of stellar evolution is studied by the method of population synthesis. The evolution of stars is traced from the Main Sequence stage to the white dwarf stage. The MESA package is used to calculate evolutionary tracks. The statistics of absorbed, ejected, and surviving planets by the time of the transformation of parent stars into white dwarfs are calculated taking into account the change in the rate of star formation in the Galaxy over the entire time of its existence. Planets around stars in the range of initial masses 1-8 $M_\odot$ are considered since less massive stars do not have time to leave the Main Sequence during the lifetime of the Galaxy, and more massive ones do not lead to the formation of white dwarfs. It is shown that with the initial $a$~--~$M_\mathrm{pl}$ distribution of planets adopted in this work, most (about 60\%) of the planets born from stars in the mass range under study are absorbed by their parent stars at the giant stage. A small fraction of the planets (less than one percent) are ejected from their systems because of the mass loss due to the stellar wind. The estimated number of ejected planets with masses ranging from 0.04 Earth masses to 13 Jupiter masses in the Milky way is approximately equal to 300 million.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2022

How to delay death and look further into the future if you fall into a black hole

In this note, we present a pedagogical illustration of peculiar properties of motion in the vicinity and inside black holes. We discuss how a momentary impulse can modify the lifetime of an object radially falling into a Schwarzschild black hole down to singularity. The well known upper limit for a proper time spent within a horizon, in fact, requires an infinitely powerful kick. We calculate the proper time interval (perceived as personal lifetime of a falling observer) till the contact with the singularity, as well as the time interval in the Lemaître frame (which reflects how far into the future of the outer world a falling observer can look), for different values of the kick received by the falling body. We discuss the ideal strategy to increase both time intervals by the engine with a finite power. This example is suitable for university seminars for undergraduate students specializing in General Relativity and related astrophysical subjects.

physics.pop-ph↗

arXiv2022

Observability of HOFNARs with SRG/eROSITA

Neutron stars can appear as sources of different nature. In this paper we address observability of a hypothetical class of neutron stars -- HOt and Fast Non Accreting Rotators, HOFNARs. These objects are heated due to the r-mode instability. With surface temperatures $\sim 10^6$~K they are expected to be thermal soft X-ray emitters. We perform a population synthesis modeling of HOFNARs to predict the number of potentially detectable sources in the eROSITA all-sky survey. For surface temperatures $\sim 10^6$~K we obtain $\sim 500$ sources above the detection limit 0.01~cts~s$^{-1}$ and $\sim 100$ easier identifiable sources with $>0.1$~cts~s$^{-1}$. Temperatures $\gtrsim 1.2\times 10^6$~K start to be in contradiction with non-detection of HOFNARs by ROSAT. Only for $T\lesssim 5\times 10^5$~K numbers predicted for eROSITA turn out to be so low that identification does not look possible. We conclude that eROSITA has good chances to discover HOFNARs, if they exist. Non-detection will put very stringent limits on the properties of this type of neutron stars.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

Observability of isolated neutron stars at SRG/eROSITA

A four-year sky survey with the use of the eROSITA telescope on board the Spektr-RG observatory will provide the best coverage in the soft (0.5-2 keV) and standard (2-10 keV) X-ray ranges, both in terms of sensitivity and angular resolution. We have analysed the possibility of detecting various types of isolated neutron stars with eROSITA. Among already known objects, eROSITA will be able to detect more than 160 pulsars, 21 magnetars, 7 central compact objects, all seven sources of the Magnificent Seven, and two other X-ray isolated neutron stars during the four-year survey mission.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

High magnetic field neutron stars and magnetars in binary systems

Situation with highly magnetized neutron stars in binary systems is not yet certain. On the one hand, all best studied magnetars seem to be isolated objects. On the other, there are many claims based on model-dependent analysis of spin properties or/and luminosity of neutron stars in X-ray binaries in favour of large fields. In addition, there are a few results suggesting a magnetar-like activity of neutron stars in close binary systems. Most of theoretical considerations do not favour even existence, not speaking about active decay, of magnetar-scale fields in neutron stars older than $\sim10^6$~yrs. However, alternative scenarios of the field evolution exist. I provide a brief review of theoretical and observational results related to the presence of neutron stars with large magnetic field in binaries and discuss perspectives of future studies.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

Origin of young accreting neutron stars in high-mass X-ray binaries in supernova remnants

Recently, several accreting neutron stars (NSs) in X-ray binary systems inside supernova remnants have been discovered. They represent a puzzle for the standard magneto-rotational evolution of NSs, as their ages ($\lesssim 10^5$ years) are much shorter than the expected duration of Ejector and Propeller stages preceding the onset of wind accretion. To explain appearance of such systems, we consider rotational evolution of NSs with early fallback accretion and asymmetry in forward/backward transitions between Ejector and Propeller stages (so-called hysteresis effect proposed by V. Shvartsman in 1970). It is shown that after a successful fallback episode with certain realistic values of the initial spin period, stellar wind properties, and magnetic field, a young NS may not enter the Ejector stage during its evolution which results in a relatively rapid initiation of accretion within the lifetime of a supernova remnant. For a standard magnetic field $\sim 10^{12}$~G and initial spin period $\sim 0.1$~--~0.2~s accretion rate $\gtrsim 10^{14}$~--~$10^{15}$~g~s$^{-1}$ is enough to avoid the Ejector stage.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

Astroparticle physics with compact objects

Probing the existence of hypothetical particles beyond the Standard model often deals with extreme parameters: large energies, tiny cross-sections, large time scales, etc. Sometimes laboratory experiments can test required regions of parameter space, but more often natural limitations leads to poorly restrictive upper limits. In such cases astrophysical studies can help to expand the range of values significantly. Among astronomical sources, used in interests of fundamental physics, compact objects -- neutron stars and white dwarfs, -- play a leading role. We review several aspects of astroparticle physics studies related to observations and properties of these celestial bodies. Dark matter particles can be collected inside compact objects resulting in additional heating or collapse. We summarize regimes and rates of particle capturing as well as possible astrophysical consequences. Then we focus on a particular type of hypothetical particles -- axions. Their existence can be uncovered due to observations of emission originated due to Primakoff process in magnetospheres of neutron stars or white dwarfs. Alternatively, they can contribute to cooling of these compact objects. We present results in these areas, including upper limits based on recent observations.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

Magneto-rotational evolution of neutron stars with hysteresis effect and fallback

In recent years, accreting neutron stars (NSs) in X-ray binary systems in supernova remnants have been discovered. They are a puzzle for the standard magneto-rotational evolution of NSs, as their age ($\lesssim 10^5$ years) is much less than expected duration of the preceding Ejector and Propeller stages. To explain such systems, we consider rotational evolution of NSs with fallback accretion and asymmetry in direct/backward transitions between Ejector and Propeller stages. It is shown that at certain values of the initial period and the magnetic field, a young neutron star may not enter the Ejector stage during its evolution.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Magnetic field decay in young radio pulsars

The role of magnetic field decay in normal radio pulsars is still debated. In this paper we present results which demonstrate that an episode of magnetic field decay in hot young neutron stars can explain anomalous values of braking indices recently measured for more than a dozen of sources. It is enough to have few tens of per cent of such hot NSs in the total population to explain observables. Relatively rapid decay operates at ages $\lesssim$~few~$\times100$~kyrs with a characteristic timescale of a similar value. We speculate that this decay can be related to electron scattering off phonons in neutron star crusts. This type of decay saturates as a neutron star cools down. Later on, a much slower decay due to crustal impurities dominates. Finally, we demonstrate that this result is in agreement with our early studies.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Braking indices of young radio pulsars: theoretical perspective

Recently, Parthsarathy et al. analysed long-term timing observations of 85 young radio pulsars. They found that 11 objects have braking indices ranging $\sim 10-100$, far from the classical value $n=3$. They also noted a mild correlation between measured value of $n$ and characteristic age of a radio pulsar. In this article we systematically analyse possible physical origin of large braking indices. We find that a small fraction of these measurements could be caused by gravitational acceleration from an unseen ultra-wide companion of a pulsar or by precession. Remaining braking indices cannot be explained neither by pulsar obliquity angle evolution, nor by complex high-order multipole structure of the poloidal magnetic field. The most plausible explanation is a decay of the poloidal dipole magnetic field which operates on a time scale $\sim 10^4-10^5$ years in some young objects, but has significantly longer time scale in other radio pulsars. This decay can explain both amplitude of measured $n$ and some correlation between $n$ and characteristic age. The decay can be caused by either enhanced crystal impurities in the crust of some isolated radio pulsars, or more likely, by enhanced resistivity related to electron scattering off phonons due to slow cooling of low-mass neutron stars. If this effect is indeed the main cause of the rapid magnetic field decay manifesting as large braking indices, we predict that pulsars with large braking indices are hotter in comparison to those with $n\approx 3$.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Origin of sources of repeating fast radio bursts with periodicity in close binary systems

It is proposed that sources of repeating fast radio bursts with detected periodicity are magnetars with extremely short initial spin periods at the protoneutron star stage, formed in binaries after tidal synchronization of their progenitor cores on late stages of thermonuclear burning in very close systems with orbital periods about a few days. This formation channel is in several respects different from evolution of progenitors of normal magnetars, and thus, it explains some differences between repeating and non-repeating sources of FRBs.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2019

Detectability of neutron star -- white dwarf coalescences by eROSITA and ART-XC

Coalescences of neutron stars and white dwarfs are relatively frequent phenomena, outnumbering other types of compact object mergers (neutron stars and black holes without involving white dwarfs) altogether. Such event potentially can produce not only optical, but also an X-ray burst. Transient source CDF-S XT2 [1] can be an example of this type of events as suggested by [2]. In this note we estimate the rate of these transients in the field of view of X-ray instruments on-board Spectrum-RG satellite. We demonstrate that during four years of the survey program several thousand of events related to neutron star - white dwarf mergers might appear in the field of view of eROSITA. Collimation of X-ray emission can reduce this number. Smaller, but comparable number of transients is expected in the case of ART-XC telescope. However, due to relatively short duration - $\lesssim 10^4$ s, - mostly such transients might be visible just in one scan of telescopes ($\sim 40$ s), and so only a few photons are expected to be detected which makes definite identification without additional information very problematic.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2019

Is PSR J0250+5854 at the Hall attractor stage?

In this note we propose that recently discovered radio pulsar J0250+5854 with 23.5 sec spin period is presently at the Hall attractor stage. This can explain low temperature and absence of magnetar-like activity of this source together with its spin period and period derivative. We present results of calculations of the evolution of this source in a simple model of magnetic field decay. The neutron star could start its evolution as a magnetar with initial field $\sim 10^{14}-10^{15}$ G for realistic range of parameter $Q$ describing crust imperfections. Future measurements of surface temperature and age of this neutron star might help to probe this hypothesis.

astro-ph.HE↗