Compact X-ray Binaries Research Articles

Discovery of a Compact X-Ray Object with a 614 s Periodicity in the Direction of the Galactic Center

We report on analysis of X-ray, optical, and radio observations of the previously overlooked X-ray source 2CXO J174517.0–321356 located just 3.°2 away from the Galactic center. Timing analysis of X-ray observations of the source with XMM-Newton reveals periodic pulsations with periods of 1228 and 614 s, with the latter being tentatively considered fundamental. On the other hand, an observation of the object with NuSTAR reveals a hard thermal-bremsstrahlung spectrum. Inspection of the archival Very Large Telescope image reveals, however, no obvious optical counterpart down to R > 25 mag. Observations made with ATCA showed a possible faint radio counterpart with a positive spectral index (α > 0.51) between 1 and 3 GHz, but follow-up ATCA and Very Large Array observations at frequencies between 4.5–10 GHz and 3–22 GHz, respectively, could not detect it. Given the properties in these three bands, we argue that the most likely origin of the X-ray source is emission from a new intermediate polar close to the Galactic center. Alternatively, and less likely, it is an ultracompact X-ray binary, which is one of the most compact X-ray binaries.

Compact Intermediate-mass Black Hole X-Ray Binaries: Potential LISA Sources?

Abstract The scientific aim of the space gravitational-wave (GW) detector Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) that was scheduled to launch in the early 2030s is to detect the low-frequency GW signals in the Galaxy. Its main candidate GW sources are compact binaries of white dwarfs and neutron stars. In this work, we examine whether compact intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) X-ray binaries could be potential LISA sources. Our simulations indicate that an IMBH binary with a 1000 M ⊙ IMBH and a 3 M ⊙ donor star in an initial orbital period near the so-called bifurcation period of 0.77 day could evolve into an ultra-compact X-ray binary, which will emit GW signals with a maximum frequency of 2.5 mHz. According to the evolutionary tracks of characteristic strain, IMBH X-ray binaries with the initial donor-star masses of 1–3 M ⊙ and the initial orbital periods slightly less than the bifurcation periods will be detectable by the LISA in a distance of 15 kpc. Assuming each of 60 Galactic globular clusters hosts a 1000 M ⊙ IMBH, the maximum number of compact IMBH X-ray binaries that LISA will detect in the Galaxy should be less than ten. Therefore, the detectability of compact IMBH X-ray binaries by the LISA is not optimistic.

The Complete Evolution of a Neutron-star Binary through a Common Envelope Phase Using 1D Hydrodynamic Simulations

Abstract Over 40 years of research suggests that the common envelope phase, in which an evolved star engulfs its companion upon expansion, is the critical evolutionary stage forming short-period, compact-object binary systems, such as coalescing double compact objects, X-ray binaries, and cataclysmic variables. In this work, we adapt the one-dimensional hydrodynamic stellar evolution code, MESA, to model the inspiral of a 1.4 M ⊙ neutron star (NS) inside the envelope of a 12 M ⊙ red supergiant star. We self-consistently calculate the drag force experienced by the NS and the back-reaction onto the expanding envelope as the NS spirals in. Nearly all of the hydrogen envelope escapes, expanding to large radii (∼102 au) where it forms an optically thick envelope with temperatures low enough that dust formation occurs. We simulate the NS orbit until only 0.8 M ⊙ of the hydrogen envelope remains around the giant star’s core. Our results suggest that the inspiral will continue until another ≈0.3 M ⊙ are removed, at which point the remaining envelope will retract. Upon separation, a phase of dynamically stable mass transfer onto the NS accretor is likely to ensue, which may be observable as an ultraluminous X-ray source. The resulting binary, comprised of a detached 2.6 M ⊙ helium star and an NS with a separation of 3.3–5.7 R ⊙, is expected to evolve into a merging double neutron-star, analogous to those recently detected by LIGO/Virgo. For our chosen combination of binary parameters, our estimated final separation (including the phase of stable mass transfer) suggests a very high α CE-equivalent efficiency of ≈5.

Exploration of spin-down rate of neutron stars in high-mass X-ray binaries

We use the evolutionary population synthesis method to investigate the statistical properties of the wind-fed neutron star (NS) compact ($P_{\rm orb}<10$ days) high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) in our Galaxy, based on different spin-down models. We find that the spin-down rate in the supersonic propeller phase given \textbf{by assuming that the surrounding material is treated as forming a quasi-static atmosphere} or \textbf{by assuming that the characteristic velocity of matter and the typical Alfv$\acute{e}$n velocity of material in the magnetospheric boundary layer are comparable to the sound speed in the external medium} is too low to produce the observed number of compact HMXBs. We also find that the models suggested \textbf{by assuming that the infalling material is ejected with the corotation velocity at the magnetospheric radius when the magnetospheric radius is larger than the corotation radius} and \textbf{by simple integration of the magnetic torque over the magnetosphere} with a larger spin-down rate than that given by \citet{dav81} or \citet{is75} can predict a reasonable number of observed wind-fed NS compact HMXBs. Our calculated results indicate that subsonic propeller phase may not exist at all by comparing with the observed particular distributions of wind-fed NS compact HMXBs in the $P_s-P_{orb}$ diagram. However, the spin-down rate suggested by \citet{wan85,dai06,jia05} and that given by \citet{dav73} both seem reasonable to produce the observed distribution of wind-fed NS compact HMXBs in the $P_s-P_{orb}$ diagram. We cannot find which spin-down rate seems more reasonable from our calculations.

ON THE DYNAMICS OF ULTRA COMPACT X-RAY BINARIES: 4U 1850-087, 4U 0513-40, AND M15 X-2

In this work we extend our dynamical study of Ultra Compact X-ray Binaries (UCXB) 4U 1820-30 from Prodan and Murray 2012 to three more UCXBs in globular clusters: 4U 1850-087, 4U 0513-40 and M15 X-2. These three UCXBs have orbital periods < 20 mins. Two of them, 4U 1850-087 and 4U 0513-40, have suspected luminosity variations of order of ~ 1yr. There is insufficient observational data to make any statements regarding the long periodicity in the light curve of M15 X-2 at this point. The properties of these three systems are quite similar to 4U 1820-30, which prompt us to model their dynamics in the same manner. As in the case of 4U 1820-30, we interpret the suspected long periods as the period of small oscillations around a stable fixed point in the Kozai resonance. We provide a lower limit on the tidal dissipation factor Q which is in agreement with results obtained for the case of 4U 1820-30.

X-ray diagnostics of chemical composition of the accretion disc and donor star in ultra-compact X-ray binaries

We search for the Fe Kα line in spectra of Ultra Compact X-ray Binaries (UCXBs). For this purpose we have analyzed XMM-Newton observations of five confirmed UCXBs. We find that the object 2S 0918-549 – whose optical spectrum bears tentative signatures of a C/O accretion disk – is devoid of any emission features in the 6-7keV range, with an upper limit of less than 10eV for the equivalent width (EW) of the iron line. 4U 1916-05 – whose optical spectrum is consistent with reflection from a He-rich accretion disk – exhibits a bright broad iron emission line. This behavior is in agreement with the theoretical predictions presented in Koliopanos, Gilfanov & Bildsten (2013). Namely, we expect strong suppression of the Fe Kα emission line in spectra originating in moderately bright (LogLx less than � 37.5) UCXBs with C/O or O/Ne/Mg-rich donors. On the other hand the EW of the iron line in spectra from UCXBs with He-rich donors is expected to retain its nominal value of � 100eV. Our analysis also reveals a strong Fe Kα line in the spectrum of 4U 0614+091. This detection points towards a He-rich donor and seems to be at odds with the source’s classification as C/O-rich. Nevertheless, a He-rich donor would explain the bursting activity reported for this system. Lastly, based on our theoretical predictions, we attribute the lack of a strong iron emission line – in the two remaining UCXB sources in our sample (XTE J1807-294, 4U 0513-40) – as an indication of a C/O or O/Ne/Mg white dwarf donor. From the upper limits of the Fe Kα line EW in 4U 0513-40, 2S 0918-549 and XTE J1807-294 we obtain a lower limit on the oxygen-to-iron ratio, O/Fe> 10 × [O/Fe]⊙.

Formation and evolution of X-ray binaries

We review recent progress in theoretical understanding of X-ray binaries, which has largely been driven by new observations. We select several topics including formation of compact low-mass X-ray binaries, the evolutionary connection between low-mass X-ray binaries and binary and millisecond radio pulsars, and ultraluminous X-ray sources, to illustrate the interplay between theories and observations.

TheINTEGRALlong monitoring of persistent ultra compact X-ray bursters

The combination of compact objects, short period variability and peculiar chemical composition of the Ultra Compact X-ray Binaries make up a very interesting laboratory to study accretion processes and thermonuclear burning on the neutron star surface. The improved large optical telescopes and more sensitive X-ray satellites have increased the number of known Ultra Compact X-ray Binaries allowing their study with unprecedented detail. We analyze the average properties common to all ultra compact Bursters observed by INTEGRAL from ~0.2keV to ~150keV. We have performed a systematic analysis of the INTEGRAL public data and Key-Program proprietary observations of a sample of the Ultra Compact X-ray Binaries. In order to study their average properties in a very broad energy band, we combined INTEGRAL with BeppoSAX and SWIFT data whenever possible. For sources not showing any significant flux variations along the INTEGRAL monitoring, we build the average spectrum by combining all available data; in the case of variable fluxes, we use simultaneous INTEGRAL and SWIFT observations when available. Otherwise we compared IBIS and PDS data to check the variability and combine BeppoSAX with INTEGRAL/IBIS data. All spectra are well represented by a two component model consisting of a disk-blackbody and Comptonised emission. The majority of these compact sources spend most of the time in a canonical low/hard state, with dominating Comptonised component and accretion rate lower than ~10^{-9}Msolar/yr, not depending on the used model to fit the data.

Stability of helium accretion discs in ultracompact binaries

Context. Stellar companions of accreting neutron stars in ultra compact X-ray binaries (UCXBs) are hydrogen-deficient. Their helium or C/O accretion discs are strongly X-ray irradiated. Both the chemical composition and irradiation determine the disc stability with respect to thermal and viscous perturbations. At shorter periods, UCXBs are persistent, whereas longer-period systems are mostly transient. Aims. To understand this behaviour one has to derive the stability criteria for X-ray irradiated hydrogen-poor accretion discs. Methods. We use a modified and updated version of the Dubus et al. code describing time-dependent irradiated accretion discs around compact objects. Results. We obtained the relevant stability criteria and compared the results to observed properties of UCXBs Conclusions. Although the general trend in the stability behaviour of UCXBs is consistent with the prediction of the disc instability model, in a few cases the inconsistency of theoretical predictions with the system observed properties is weak enough to be attributed to observational and/or theoretical uncertainties. Two systems might require the presence of some amount of hydrogen in the donor star.

Aspherical supernova explosions and formation of compact black hole low-mass X-ray binaries

Abstract It has been suggested that black hole low-mass X-ray binaries (BHLMXBs) with short orbital periods may have evolved from BH binaries with an intermediate-mass secondary, but the donor star seems to always have higher effective temperatures than measured in BHLMXBs. Here we suggest that the secondary star is originally an intermediate-mass (∼2–5 M⊙) star, which loses a large fraction of its mass due to the ejecta impact during the aspherical suparnova explosion that produced the BH. The resulted secondary star could be of low mass (≲1 M⊙). Magnetic braking would shrink the binary orbit and drive mass transfer between the donor and the BH, producing a compact BHLMXB.

Magnetic braking of Ap/Bp stars: application to compact black-hole X-ray binaries

We examine the proposal that the subset of neutron-star and black-hole X-ray binaries that form with Ap or Bp star companions will experience systemic angular-momentum losses due to magnetic braking, not otherwise operative with intermediate-mass companion stars. We suggest that for donor stars possessing the anomalously high magnetic fields associated with Ap and Bp stars, a magnetically coupled, irradiation-driven stellar wind can lead to substantial systemic loss of angular momentum. Hence, these systems, which would otherwise not be expected to experience ‘magnetic braking’, evolve to shorter orbital periods during mass transfer. In this paper, we detail how such a magnetic braking scenario operates. We apply it to a specific astrophysics problem involving the formation of compact black-hole binaries with low-mass donor stars. At present, it is not understood how these systems form, given that lowmass companion stars are not likely to provide sufficient gravitational potential to unbind the envelope of the massive progenitor of the black hole during a prior ‘common-envelope’ phase. On the other hand, intermediate-mass companions, such as Ap and Bp stars, could more readily eject the common envelope. However, in the absence of magnetic braking, such systems tend to evolve to long orbital periods. We show that, with the proposed magnetic braking properties afforded by Ap and Bp companions, such a scenario can lead to the formation of compact black-hole binaries with orbital periods, donor masses, lifetimes and production rates that are in accord with the observations. In spite of these successes, our models reveal a significant discrepancy between the calculated effective temperatures and the observed spectral types of the donor stars. Finally, we show that this temperature discrepancy would still exist for other scenarios invoking initially intermediate-mass donor stars, and this presents a substantial unresolved mystery.

Compact X-ray binaries in and out of core collapsed globulars

We review new Chandra and HST observations of the core collapsed cluster NGC 6397 as a guide to understanding the compact binary (CB) populations in core collapse globulars. New cataclysmic variables (CVs) and main sequence chromospherically active binaries (ABs) have been identified, enabling a larger sample for comparison of the L x , F x / F V and X-ray vs. optical color distributions. Comparison of the numbers of CBs with L x ≳ 10 31 erg s −1 in 4 core collapse vs. 12 King model clusters reveals that the specific frequency S X (number of CBs per unit cluster mass) is enhanced in core collapse clusters, even when normalized for their stellar encounter rate. Although core collapse is halted by the dynamical heating due to stellar (and binary) interaction with CBs in the core, we conclude that production of the hardest CBs – especially CVs – is enhanced during core collapse. NGC 6397 has its most luminous CVs nearest the cluster center, with two newly discovered very low luminosity (old, quiescent) CVs far from the core. The active binaries as well as neutron star systems (MSP and qLMXB) surround the central core. The overall CB population appears to be asymmetric about the cluster center, as in several other core collapse clusters observed with Chandra, suggesting still poorly understood scattering processes.

Observations of compact X-ray binaries with the Chandra X-ray Observatory

The Chandra X-ray Observatory was launched on July 23, 1999. The first X-ray photons were detected on August 12 of that same year. Subsequently observations with the Observatory, which features sub-arcsecond angular resolution, have revolutionized our understanding of the X-ray emitting sky providing hosts of spectacular energy-resolved images and high-resolution spectra. Here we present a brief overview of Chandra X-ray Observatory observations of compact X-ray binaries.

AcDc – A new code for the NLTE spectral analysis of accretion discs: application to the helium CV AM CVn

We present a recently developed code for detailed NLTE calculations of accretion disc spectra of cataclysmic vari- ables and compact X-ray binaries. Assuming a radial structure of a standard α-disc, the disc is divided into concentric rings. For each disc ring the solution of the radiation transfer equation and the structure equations, comprising the hydrostatic and radiative equilibrium, the population of the atomic levels as well as charge and particle conservation, is done self-consistently. Metal-line blanketing and irradiation by the central object are taken into account. As a first application, we show the influence of different disc parameters on the disc spectrum for the helium cataclysmic variable AM CVn.

The Evolution of the Accretion Disk around 4U 1820-30 during a Superburst

Accretion from a disk onto a collapsed, relativistic star - a neutron star or black hole - is the mechanism widely believed to be responsible for the emission from compact X-ray binaries. Because of the extreme spatial resolution required, it is not yet possible to directly observe the evolution or dynamics of the inner parts of the accretion disk where general relativistic effects are dominant. Here, we use the bright X-ray emission from a superburst on the surface of the neutron star 4U 1820-30 as a spotlight to illuminate the disk surface. The X-rays cause iron atoms in the disk t o fluoresce, allowing a determination of the ionization state, covering factor and inner radius of the disk over the course of the burst. The time-resolved spectral fitting shows that the inner region of the disk is disrupted by the burst, possibly being heated into a thicker, more tenuous flow, before recovering its previous form in approximately 1000 s. This marks the first instance that the evolution of the inner regions of an accretion disk has been observed in real-time.

Modeling He-Rich Disks in AM CVn Binaries

We have developed a new code for the calculation of synthetic spectra and vertical structures of accretion disks in cataclysmic variables and compact X-ray binaries. Here we present results for the CV system AM CVn.AM CVn stars are a special type of cataclysmic variables, also called helium cataclysmics. They are systems of interacting binary white dwarfs, consisting of a degenerate C-O white dwarf primary and a low mass semi-degenerate secondary. The secondary loses mass, almost, pure helium, to the primary, forming an accretion disk. They have all in common a helium-rich composition, analoguous to the hydrogen-rich cataclysmic variables. They show photometric variabilities on time scales of ~ 1000s, the prototype of the class, AM CVn, e.g. exhibits a variability of ~ 18 min (Nelemans et al. 2001).

Stars at γ-Ray Energies: the INTEGRAL Look at Stars

The European γ-ray satellite INTEGRAL, launched on October 17, 2002, is the successor to the highly successful American satellite Compton-GRO. Even though its main observational program focuses on “classical” high-energy sources like compact X-ray binaries or AGNs, some time is being devoted to γ-ray studies of massive stars and magnetically active late-type stars. We briefly describe here the four instruments of INTEGRAL, and summarize the ongoing stellar programs.

The Time-variable Ultraluminous X-Ray Sources of “The Antennae”

We report the first results of the Chandra temporal monitoring of the ultra-luminous X-ray sources (ULXs) in the Antennae galaxies (NGC 4038/39). Observations at four different epochs, covering time scales of 2 years to 2 months, show variability in seven out of nine ULXs, confirming that they are likely to be accreting compact X-ray binaries (XRBs). The seven variable ULXs exhibit a variety of temporal and spectral behaviors: one has harder X-ray colors with decreasing luminosity, similar to the black hole binary Cyg X-1, but four other ULXs show the opposite behavior. We suggest that the latter may be black-hole binaries accreting at very high rates.

Hydrogen-poor Disks in Compact X-Ray Binaries

We show that accretion disks in several compact X-ray binaries with hydrogen-depleted donors are likely subject to a thermal ionization instability, unless they are strongly irradiated. These disks are particularly interesting in that their MHD-turbulent properties in the neutral phase may be quite different from those of standard, hydrogen-rich disks.

Quasi-periodic oscillations in X-ray emission from the Seyfert galaxy NGC5548

EFFORTS to use the variability of X-ray emission from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) as a diagnostic of physical processes in the unresolvable cores have been hampered by the discovery1,2 that the variable emission has a 'red noise' character, which seems to indicate the absence of any preferred timescale. The only exception is the claim of a precise periodicity in emission from NGC68143. Here we analyse archival Exosat observations of the bright Seyfert galaxy NGC5548, and find in the power spectrum a broad peak corresponding to quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) with period of ∼500 s. Both the frequency and magnitude of the QPOs vary systematically with total X-ray luminosity. Similar behaviour has been seen in compact galactic X-ray binaries, and we suggest that intensity-correlated QPOs may be a generic feature of accretion onto a compact object. If the QPOs in NGC5548 derive from instability or variability in an accretion disc around a black hole, the black hole mass can be only a few hundred thousand solar masses, an uncomfortably small number for most AGN models.