arXiv subjects

W. C. G. Ho

Publications and source records attributed to W. C. G. Ho.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Targeted search for young radio pulsars in the SMC: Discovery of two new pulsars

We report the first rotation powered pulsars discovered in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) in more than a decade. PSR J0043-73 and PSR J0052-72 were discovered during a Parkes Multi-Beam (PMB) survey of MCSNR J0127-7332, and five new, optically selected, supernova remnant (SNR) candidates identified by the XMM Newton survey. In addition to the candidates, we adjusted the PMB rotation to include an additional nine SNRs and pulsar wind nebulae. We searched for young pulsars (1 - 200 ms) employing a Fourier analysis with PRESTO, as well as a search for longer period pulsars (200 ms - 360 s) with a fast folding algorithm. Our targeted survey had a limiting flux density of 0.039 mJy for periods greater than 50 ms. Although not the main target of this search it was also sensitive to millisecond pulsars. PSR J0043-73 has a period and dispersion measure of 937.42937 (26) ms and 115.1 (3.4) pc cm$^{-3}$ respectively, and PSR J0052-72 has a period of 191.444328 (46) ms and a DM of 158.6 (1.6) pc cm$^{-3}$.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2019

Modelling the observable behaviour of SXP 5.05

SXP 5.05 is a Be/X-ray binary with a neutron star companion located in the Small Magellanic Cloud. It was first detected in 2013, and later that year, SXP 5.05 underwent a massive optical and X-ray outburst. This outburst dwarfs any other optical event that has been observed for this system during the last 5 years. The large increase in optical brightness of the system implies an increase in the size and density of the Be star's circumstellar disc. The X-ray data show two occultations of the neutron star per orbit and is not consistent with a neutron star passing behind the Be star, and hence the disc is responsible for these occultations. In this paper, we model the outburst of Be/neutron star binary SXP 5.05 as being due to a large increase in mass ejection by the Be star. The neutron star passes directly through the growing disc, and it is shown that the resulting obscuration can qualitatively explain the observed X-ray behaviour of the system. We find the only way to reproduce the timescales of the observed optical behaviour of the system is to increase the mass ejection substantially for a short time (<2 orbits) and to decrease the viscosity during the event. The general behaviour of the observed X-ray and Ha line emission are also reproduced by the model. However, the inferred mass ejection and viscosity needed to produce a sufficiently rapid increase of disc size are both higher than suggested by previous works.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

Discovery of synchronous X-ray and radio moding of PSR B0823+26

Simultaneous observations of PSR B0823+26 with ESA's XMM-Newton, the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope and international stations of the Low Frequency Array revealed synchronous X-ray/radio switching between a radio-bright (B) mode and a radio-quiet (Q) mode. During the B mode we detected PSR B0823+26 in 0.2$-$2 keV X-rays and discovered pulsed emission with a broad sinusoidal pulse, lagging the radio main pulse by 0.208 $\pm$ 0.012 in phase, with high pulsed fraction of 70$-$80%. During the Q mode PSR B0823+26 was not detected in X-rays (2 $σ$ upper limit a factor ~9 below the B-mode flux). The total X-ray spectrum, pulse profile and pulsed fraction can globally be reproduced with a magnetized partially ionized hydrogen atmosphere model with three emission components: a primary small hot spot ($T$$\sim$3.6$\times10^6$ K, $R$$\sim$17 m), a larger cooler concentric ring ($T$$\sim$1.1$\times10^6$ K, $R$$\sim$280 m) and an antipodal hot spot ($T$$\sim$1.1$\times10^6 $ K, $R$$\sim$100 m), for the angle between the rotation axis and line of sight direction $\sim66^\circ$. The latter is in conflict with the radio derived value of $(84\pm0.7)^\circ$. The average X-ray flux within hours-long B-mode intervals varied by a factor $\pm$20%, possibly correlated with variations in the frequency and lengths of short radio nulls or short durations of weak emission. The correlated X-ray/radio moding of PSR B0823+26 is compared with the anti-correlated moding of PSR B0943+10, and the lack of X-ray moding of PSR B1822-09. We speculate that the X-ray/radio switches of PSR B0823+26 are due to variations in the rate of accretion of material from the interstellar medium through which it is passing.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

NICER and Fermi GBM Observations of the First Galactic Ultraluminous X-ray Pulsar Swift J0243.6+6124

Swift J0243.6+6124 is a newly discovered Galactic Be/X-ray binary, revealed in late September 2017 in a giant outburst with a peak luminosity of 2E+39 (d/7 kpc)^2 erg/s (0.1-10 keV), with no formerly reported activity. At this luminosity, Swift J0243.6+6124 is the first known galactic ultraluminous X-ray pulsar. We describe Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER)} and Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) timing and spectral analyses for this source. A new orbital ephemeris is obtained for the binary system using spin-frequencies measured with GBM and 15-50 keV fluxes measured with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory Burst Alert Telescope to model the system's intrinsic spin-up. Power spectra measured with NICER show considerable evolution with luminosity, including a quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) near 50 mHz that is omnipresent at low luminosity and has an evolving central frequency. Pulse profiles measured over the combined 0.2-100 keV range show complex evolution that is both luminosity and energy dependent. Near the critical luminosity of L~1E+38 erg/s, the pulse profiles transition from single-peaked to double peaked, the pulsed fraction reaches a minimum in all energy bands, and the hardness ratios in both NICER and GBM show a turn-over to softening as the intensity increases. This behavior repeats as the outburst rises and fades, indicating two distinct accretion regimes. These two regimes are suggestive of the accretion structure on the neutron star surface transitioning from a Coulomb collisional stopping mechanism at lower luminosities to a radiation-dominated stopping mechanism at higher luminosities. This is the highest observed (to date) value of the critical luminosity, suggesting a magnetic field of B ~1E+13 G.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

Simulating the X-ray luminosity of Be X-ray binaries: the case for black holes versus neutron stars

There are over 100 Be stars that are known to have neutron star companions but only one such system with a black hole. Previous theoretical work suggests this is not due to their formation but due to differences in X-ray luminosity. It has also been proposed that the truncation of the Be star's circumstellar disc is dependent on the mass of the compact object. Hence, Be star discs in black hole binaries are smaller. Since accretion onto the compact object from the Be star's disc is what powers the X-ray luminosity, a smaller disc in black hole systems leads to a lower luminosity. In this paper, simulations are performed with a range of eccentricities and compact object mass. The disc's size and density are shown to be dependent on both quantities. Mass capture and, in turn, X-ray luminosity are heavily dependent on the size and density of the disc. Be/black hole binaries are expected to be up to ~10 times fainter than Be/neutron star binaries when both systems have the same eccentricity and can be 100 times fainter when comparing systems with different eccentricity.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

The radius of the quiescent neutron star in the globular cluster M13

X-ray spectra of quiescent low-mass X-ray binaries containing neutron stars can be fit with atmosphere models to constrain the mass and the radius. Mass-radius constraints can be used to place limits on the equation of state of dense matter. We perform fits to the X-ray spectrum of a quiescent neutron star in the globular cluster M13, utilizing data from ROSAT, Chandra and XMM-Newton, and constrain the mass-radius relation. Assuming an atmosphere composed of hydrogen and a 1.4${\rm M}_{\odot}$ neutron star, we find the radius to be $R_{\rm NS}=12.2^{+1.5}_{-1.1}$ km, a significant improvement in precision over previous measurements. Incorporating an uncertainty on the distance to M13 relaxes the radius constraints slightly and we find $R_{\rm NS}=12.3^{+1.9}_{-1.7}$ km (for a 1.4${\rm M}_{\odot}$ neutron star with a hydrogen atmosphere), which is still an improvement in precision over previous measurements, some of which do not consider distance uncertainty. We also discuss how the composition of the atmosphere affects the derived radius, finding that a helium atmosphere implies a significantly larger radius.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2017

Lense-Thirring precession in ULXs as a possible means to constrain the neutron star equation-of-state

The presence of neutron stars in at least three ultraluminous X-ray sources is now firmly established and offers an unambiguous view of super-critical accretion. All three systems show long-timescale periods (60-80 days) in the X-rays and/or optical, two of which are known to be super-orbital in nature. Should the flow be classically super critical, i.e. the Eddington limit is reached locally in the disc (implying surface dipole fields that are sub-magnetar in strength), then the large scale-height flow can precess through the Lense-Thirring effect which could provide an explanation for the observed super-orbital periods. By connecting the details of the Lense-Thirring effect with the observed pulsar spin period, we are able to infer the moment-of-inertia and therefore equation-of-state of the neutron star without relying on the inclination of, or distance to the system. We apply our technique to the case of NGC 7793 P13 and demonstrate that stronger magnetic fields imply stiffer equations of state. We discuss the caveats and uncertainties, many of which can be addressed through forthcoming radiative magnetohydrodynamic (RMHD) simulations and their connection to observation.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2017

The enigmatic spin evolution of PSR J0537-6910: r-modes, gravitational waves and the case for continued timing

We discuss the unique spin evolution of the young X-ray pulsar PSR J0537-6910, a system in which the regular spin down is interrupted by glitches every few months. Drawing on the complete timing data from the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE, from 1999-2011), we argue that a trend in the inter-glitch behaviour points to an effective braking index close to $n=7$, much larger than expected. This value is interesting because it would accord with the neutron star spinning down due to gravitational waves from an unstable r-mode. We discuss to what extent this, admittedly speculative, scenario may be consistent and if the associated gravitational-wave signal would be within reach of ground based detectors. Our estimates suggest that one may, indeed, be able to use future observations to test the idea. Further precision timing would help enhance the achievable sensitivity and we advocate a joint observing campaign between the Neutron Star Interior Composition ExploreR (NICER) and the LIGO-Virgo network.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2017

Using gravitational-wave data to constrain dynamical tides in neutron star binaries

We discuss the role of dynamical tidal effects for inspiralling neutron star binaries, focussing on features that may be considered "unmodelled" in gravitational-wave searches. In order to cover the range of possibilities, we consider i) individual oscillation modes becoming resonant with the tide, ii) the elliptical instability, where a pair of inertial modes exhibit a nonlinear resonance with the tide, and iii) the non-resonant p-g instability which may arise as high order p- and g-modes in the star couple nonlinearly to the tide. In each case, we estimate the amount of additional energy loss that needs to be associated with the dynamical tide in order for the effect to impact on an observed gravitational-wave signal. We explore to what extent the involved neutron star physics may be considered known and how one may be able to use observational data to constrain theory.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2017

Constraining the Mass and Radius of Neutron Stars in Globular Clusters

We analyze observations of eight quiescent low-mass X-ray binaries in globular clusters and combine them to determine the neutron star mass-radius curve and the equation of state of dense matter. We determine the effect that several uncertainties may have on our results, including uncertainties in the distance, the atmosphere composition, the neutron star maximum mass, the neutron star mass distribution, the possible presence of a hotspot on the neutron star surface, and the prior choice for the equation of state of dense matter. We find that the radius of a 1.4 solar mass neutron star is most likely from 10 to 14 km and that tighter constraints are only possible with stronger assumptions about the nature of the neutron stars, the systematics of the observations, or the nature of dense matter. Strong phase transitions are preferred over other models and interpretations of the data with a Bayes factor of 8 or more, and in this case, the radius is likely smaller than 12 km. However, radii larger than 12 km are preferred if the neutron stars have uneven temperature distributions.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2017

Atmospheres and radiating surfaces of neutron stars with strong magnetic fields

We review the current status of the theory of thermal emission from the surface layers of neutron stars with strong magnetic fields $B\sim 10^{10}-10^{15}$ G, including formation of the spectrum in a partially ionized atmosphere and at a condensed surface. In particular, we describe recent progress in modeling partially ionized atmospheres of central compact objects in supernova remnants, which may have moderately strong fields $B\sim 10^{10}-10^{11}$ G. Special attention is given to polarization of thermal radiation emitted by a neutron star surface. Finally, we briefly describe applications of the theory to observations of thermally emitting isolated neutron stars.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2015

Hunting for Orphaned Central Compact Objects among Radio Pulsars

Central compact objects (CCOs) are a handful of young neutron stars found at the center of supernova remnants (SNRs). They show high thermal X-ray luminosities but no radio emission. Spin-down rate measurements of the three CCOs with X-ray pulsations indicate surface dipole fields much weaker than those of typical young pulsars. To investigate if CCOs and known radio pulsars are objects at different evolutionary stages, we carried out a census of all weak-field (<1e11 G) isolated radio pulsars in the Galactic plane to search for CCO-like X-ray emission. None of the 12 candidates is detected at X-ray energies, with luminosity limits of 1e32-1e34 erg/s. We consider a scenario in which the weak surface fields of CCOs are due to rapid accretion of supernova materials and show that as the buried field diffuses back to the surface, a CCO descendant is expected to leave the P-Pdot parameter space of our candidates at a young age of a few times 10kyr. Hence, the candidates are likely to be just old ordinary pulsars in this case. We suggest that further searches for orphaned CCO, which are aged CCOs with parent SNRs dissipated, should include pulsars with stronger magnetic fields.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2015

Buoyancy and g-modes in young superfluid neutron stars

We consider the local dynamics of a realistic neutron star core, including composition gradients, superfluidity and thermal effects. The main focus is on the gravity g-modes, which are supported by composition stratification and thermal gradients. We derive the equations that govern this problem in full detail, paying particular attention to the input that needs to be provided through the equation of state and distinguishing between normal and superfluid regions. The analysis highlights a number of key issues that should be kept in mind whenever equation of state data is compiled from nuclear physics for use in neutron star calculations. We provide explicit results for a particular stellar model and a specific nucleonic equation of state, making use of cooling simulations to show how the local wave spectrum evolves as the star ages. Our results show that the composition gradient is effectively dominated by the muons whenever they are present. When the star cools below the superfluid transition, the support for g-modes at lower densities (where there are no muons) is entirely thermal. We confirm the recent suggestion that the g-modes in this region may be unstable, but our results indicate that this instability will be weak and would only be present for a brief period of the star's life. Our analysis accounts for the presence of thermal excitations encoded in entrainment between the entropy and the superfluid component. Finally, we discuss the complete spectrum, including the normal sound waves and, in superfluid regions, the second sound.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

Opacities and spectra of hydrogen atmospheres of moderately magnetized neutron stars

There is observational evidence that central compact objects (CCOs) in supernova remnants have moderately strong magnetic fields $B\sim10^{11}$ G. Meanwhile, available models of partially ionized hydrogen atmospheres of neutron stars with strong magnetic fields are restricted to $B\gtrsim10^{12}$ G. We extend the equation of state and radiative opacities, presented in previous papers for $10^{12}\mbox{ G}\lesssim B \lesssim 10^{15}$ G, to weaker fields. An equation of state and radiative opacities for a partially ionized hydrogen plasma are obtained at magnetic fields $B$, temperatures $T$, and densities $ρ$ typical for atmospheres of CCOs and other isolated neutron stars with moderately strong magnetic fields. The first- and second-order thermodynamic functions, monochromatic radiative opacities, and Rosseland mean opacities are calculated and tabulated, taking account of partial ionization, for $3\times10^{10}\mbox{ G}\lesssim B\lesssim 10^{12}$ G, $10^5$ K $\lesssim T\lesssim 10^7$ K, and a wide range of densities. Atmosphere models and spectra are calculated to verify the applicability of the results and to determine the range of magnetic fields and effective temperatures where the incomplete ionization of the hydrogen plasma is important.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2014

Seismology of adolescent neutron stars: Accounting for thermal effects and crust elasticity

We study the oscillations of relativistic stars, incorporating key physics associated with internal composition, thermal gradients and crust elasticity. Our aim is to develop a formalism which is able to account for the state-of-the-art understanding of the complex physics associated with these systems. As a first step, we build models using a modern equation of state including composition gradients and density discontinuities associated with internal phase-transitions (like the crust-core transition and the point where muons first appear in the core). In order to understand the nature of the oscillation spectrum, we carry out cooling simulations to provide realistic snapshots of the temperature distribution in the interior as the star evolves through adolescence. The associated thermal pressure is incorporated in the perturbation analysis, and we discuss the presence of $g$-modes arising as a result of thermal effects. We also consider interface modes due to phase-transitions and the gradual formation of the star's crust and the emergence of a set of shear modes.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

Improved Mass and Radius Constraints for Quiescent Neutron Stars in Omega Cen and NGC 6397

We use Chandra and XMM observations of the globular clusters $ω$ Cen and NGC 6397 to measure the spectrum of their quiescent neutron stars (NSs), and thus to constrain the allowed ranges of mass and radius for each. We also use Hubble Space Telescope photometry of NGC 6397 to identify a potential optical companion to the quiescent NS, and find evidence that the companion lacks hydrogen. We carefully consider a number of systematic problems, and show that the choices of atmospheric composition, interstellar medium abundances, and cluster distances can have important effects on the inferred NS mass and radius. We find that for typical NS masses, the radii of both NSs are consistent with the 10-13 km range favored by recent nuclear physics experiments. This removes the evidence suggested by Guillot and collaborators for an unusually small NS radius, which relied upon the small inferred radius of the NGC 6397 NS.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2014

Implications of an r-mode in XTE J1751-305: Mass, radius and spin evolution

Recently Strohmayer and Mahmoodifar presented evidence for a coherent oscillation in the X-ray light curve of the accreting millisecond pulsar XTE J1751-305, using data taken by RXTE during the 2002 outburst of this source. They noted that a possible explanation includes the excitation of a non-radial oscillation mode of the neutron star, either in the form of a g-mode or an r-mode. The r-mode interpretation has connections with proposed spin-evolution scenarios for systems such as XTE J1751-305. Here we examine in detail this interesting possible interpretation. Using the ratio of the observed oscillation frequency to the star's spin frequency, we derive an approximate neutron star mass-radius relation which yields reasonable values for the mass over the range of expected stellar radius (as constrained by observations of radius-expansion burst sources). However, we argue that the large mode amplitude suggested by the Strohmayer and Mahmoodifar analysis would inevitably lead to a large spin-down of the star, inconsistent with its observed spin evolution, regardless of whether the r-mode itself is in a stable or unstable regime. We therefore conclude that the r-mode interpretation of the observed oscillation is not consistent with our current understanding of neutron star dynamics and must be considered unlikely. Finally we note that, subject to the availability of a sufficiently accurate timing model, a direct gravitational-wave search may be able to confirm or reject an r-mode interpretation unambiguously, should such an event, with a similar inferred mode amplitude, recur during the Advanced detector era.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2013

Spin period change and the magnetic fields of neutron stars in Be X-ray binaries in the Small Magellanic Cloud

We report on the long-term average spin period, rate of change of spin period and X-ray luminosity during outbursts for 42 Be X-ray binary systems in the Small Magellanic Cloud. We also collect and calculate parameters of each system and use these data to determine that all systems contain a neutron star which is accreting via a disc, rather than a wind, and that if these neutron stars are near spin equilibrium, then over half of them, including all with spin periods over about 100 s, have magnetic fields over the quantum critical level of 4.4x10^13 G. If these neutron stars are not close to spin equilibrium, then their magnetic fields are inferred to be much lower, of the order of 10^6-10^10 G, comparable to the fields of neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binaries. Both results are unexpected and have implications for the rate of magnetic field decay and the isolated neutron star population.

astro-ph.SR↗