Estimate of stellar masses from their QPO frequencies

Kilohertz quasiperiodic oscillations (kHz QPOs) are observed in binary stellar systems. For such a system, the stellar radius is very close to the marginally stable orbit R _ms as predicted by Einstein’s general relativity. Many models have been proposed to explain the origin of the kHz QPO features in the binaries. Here we start from the work of Li et al (Phys. Rev . Lett. 83, 3776 (1999)) who in 1999, from the unique millisecond X-ray pulsations, suggested SAX J1808.4−3658 to be a strange star, from an accurate determination of its rotation period. It showed kHz QPOs eight years ago and so far it is the only set that has been observed. We suggest that the mass of four compact stars SAX J1808.4−3658, KS 1731−260, SAX J1750.8−2900 and IGR J17191−2821 can be determined from the difference in the observed kHz QPOs of these stars. It is exciting to be able to give an estimate of the mass of the star and three other compact stars in low-mass X-ray binaries using their observed kHz QPOs.     

转动双星同步和轨道圆化的物理过程研究

潮汐效应是影响恒星结构和演化非常重要的物理因素.本文研究了影响潮汐同步和轨道圆化的物理因素,如恒星质量、初始转速、轨道周期、金属丰度、对流超射等,并根据转动恒星的角动量转移和元素扩散方程,给出了这些因素对转动双星演化和元素混合的影响.结果表明：具有大质量子星、初始转速慢、对流超射小、轨道周期短的双星系统,能更早地达到平衡速度和轨道圆化;初始转速快的恒星,由于潮汐同步过程减速,双星系统中氮元素增丰没有单星的氮元素增丰显著;大质量星、高金属丰度、超射大和短周期的双星系统,氮增丰相对显著;质量小、金属丰度低、转速慢、超射大的恒星具有较小的恒星半径,而低金属丰度恒星表面却具有较高的有效温度,快速转动单星向低温和低光度端演化.     

The correlation timescale of the X-ray flux during the outbursts of soft X-ray transients

Recent studies of black hole and neutron star low mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) show a positive correlation between the X-ray flux at which the low/hard(LH)-to-high/soft(HS) state transition occurs and the peak flux of the following HS state. By analyzing the data from the All Sky Monitor (ASM) onboard the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE), we show that the HS state flux after the source reaches its HS flux peak still correlates with the transition flux during soft X-ray transient (SXT) outbursts. By studying large outbursts or flares of GX 339-4, Aql X-1 and 4U 1705-44, we have found that the correlation holds up to 250, 40, and 50 d after the LH-to-HS state transition, respectively. These time scales correspond to the viscous time scale in a standard accretion disk around a stellar mass black hole or a neutron star at a radius of ∼10^4–5 R _g, indicating that the mass accretion rates in the accretion flow either correlate over a large range of radii at a given time or correlate over a long period of time at a given radius. If the accretion geometry is a two-flow geometry composed of a sub-Keplerian inflow or outflow and a disk flow in the LH state, the disk flow with a radius up to ∼10⁵ R _g would have contributed to the nearly instantaneous non-thermal radiation directly or indirectly, and therefore affects the time when the state transition occurs.

     

Effect of Tidal Torques on Rotational Mixing in Close Binaries

The effect of tidal torques on rotational mixing in close binaries is investigated. It is found that spin angular momentum can attain a high value due to a strong tidal torque. Nitrogen and helium enrichment occurs early in the binary system that is triggered by tides. The stellar radius can reach a high value in the single star model with high initial velocities at the early stage of the evolution, but efficient rotational mixing can inhibit stellar expanding at the subsequent evolution. Central compactness is increased by the centrifugal force at the early stage of evolution but is reduced by rotational mixing induced by strong tides. The binary models with weak tides have high values of central temperature and stellar radius. Rotational mixing in single stars can slow down the shrinkage of convective cores, while convective cores can be expanded by strong tides in the binary system.Efficient rotational mixing induced by tides can cause the star to evolve towards high temperature and luminosity.     

平面波导型对称星型耦合器的优化设计

通过有限差分波束传播法(FD-BPM)研究了N×N平面波导型星型耦合器的优化设计思想和方法,并通过17×17星型耦合器的模拟设计证明了它的可行性.给出了在输出端引入辅助波导的方法,以提高输出波导阵列的均匀性.并通过模拟计算,分析了圆心缩入程度和锥形区的形状对输出结果的影响.此法也同样适合于N值更大的星型耦合器.     

Properties of hyperon stars rotating at Keplerian frequency

The structure and properties of a Keplerian rotating hyperon star with an equation of state (EOS) investigated using the relativistic σ--ω--ρ model are examined by employing an accurate numerical scheme. It is shown that there is a clear rotating effect on the structure and properties, and that hyperon star matter cannot support a star with a mass larger than 1.9 M_Θ, even a star rotating at the fastest allowed frequency. The constraints of the two known fastest rotating frequencies (716 Hz and 1122 Hz) on the mass and radius of a hyperon star are also explored. Furthermore, our results indicate that the imprint of the rapid rotation of a hyperon star on the moment of inertia is clear; the backward equatorial redshift, the forward equatorial redshift and the polar redshift can be distinguished clearly, the forward equatorial redshift is always negative; and its figuration is far from a spherical symmetric shape.     

Necessity of extra repulsion in hypernuclear systems: Suggestion from neutron stars

Neutron star models with hyperon-mixed core are studied by a realistic approach to use the YN and the YY interactions consistent with hypernuclear data. From the compatibility of the theoretical maximum mass with the observed neutron star mass 1.44 M _⊙ of PSR1913+16, the necessity of some extra repulsion in hypernuclear systems, e.g., a repulsion from three-body force, is stressed. It is noted that the increase of baryon degrees of freedom to avoid the short-range repulsion effectively is an essential mechanism causing the Y-mixed phase. Received: 1 May 2001 / Accepted: 4 December 2001     

Spectral states and state preference of galactic X-ray binaries

Using observations in the past four years with the All Sky Monitor (ASM) onboard the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) and the Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) onboard the Swift, we demonstrate that the hard state and the soft state are the primary spectral states in galactic black hole and neutron star X-ray binaries. In addition, we show quantitatively the preference of the two spectral states for each of the 22 bright persistent sources.

     

The Gravitational Field of a Radiating and Contracting Spherically-Symmetric Body with Heat Flow

A model of a highly idealized spherically symmetric object radiating away its mass with constant luminosity is presented. The body starts at t = – with both infinite mass and radius and contracts to a point at t = 0 without forming an event horizon. Its material particles are moving non-geodesically and shearfree while transporting heat to the surface. Unlike in some radiating star models of a similar type, all physically required conditions are satisfied in this model.     

Excess molar volumes, viscosities, and refractive indices for binary and ternary mixtures of {cyclohexanone (1) + N,N-dimethylacetamide (2) + N,N-diethylethanolamine (3)} at (298.15, 308.15, and 318.15) K

Densities ρ, viscosities η, and refractive indices n_D, of the binary and ternary mixtures formed by cyclohexanone + N,N-dimethylacetamide + N,N-diethylethanolamine were measured at (298.15, 308.15, and 318.15) K for the liquid region and at ambient pressure for the whole composition ranges. The excess molar volumes V_m^E, viscosity deviations Δη, and refractive index deviations Δn_D, were calculated from experimental densities and refractive indices. The excess molar volumes are positive over the mole fraction range for binary mixtures of cyclohexanone(1) + N,N-dimethylacetamide (2) and N,N-dimethylactamide (2) + N,N-diethylethanolamine (3) and increase with increasing temperatures from (298.15 to 318.15) K. The excess molar volumes of cyclohexanone (1) + N,N-diethylethanolamine (3) are S-shaped dependence on composition with negative values in the N,N-diethylethanolamine rich-region and positive values at the opposite extreme and increase with increasing temperatures from (298.15 to 318.15) K. The excess molar volumes are positive over the whole mole fraction ranges for the ternary mixtures at all temperatures. Viscosity deviations are negative over the mole fraction range for all binary and ternary mixtures and decrease with increasing temperatures from (298.15 to 318.15) K. Refractive index deviations are negative over the mole fraction range for all binary and ternary mixtures and increase with increasing temperatures from (298.15 to 318.15) K. The experimental data of constitute were correlated as a function of the mole fraction by using the Redlich–Kister equation for binary and , Cibulka, Jasinski and Malanowski , Singe et al., Pintos et al., Calvo et al., Kohler, and Jacob–Fitzner for ternary mixture, respectively. McAllister^'s three body, Hind, and Nissan–Grunberg models were used for correlating the kinematic and dynamic viscosity of binary mixtures. The experimental data of the constitute binaries are analyzed to discuss the nature and strength of intermolecular interactions in these mixtures.     

Gravitational stability of cold Bose star

The maximum mass of cold Bose star that can sustain its own gravity is determined to be ≈0.6/Gm, wherem is the mass of boson. This is different from the Oppenheimer-Volkoff mass of ≈0.4/G ^3/2 m _N ² for the neutron star and may facilitate formation of smaller black holes made of cold invisible axions in the axion dominated universe.     

A Solvable N-body Problem of Goldfish Type Featuring N2 Arbitrary Coupling Constants

A N-body problem “of goldfish type” is introduced, the Newtonian (“acceleration equal force”) equations of motion of which describe the motion of N pointlike unit-mass particles moving in the complex z-plane. The model—for arbitrary N—is solvable, namely its configuration (positions and velocities of the N “particles”) at any later time t can be obtained from its configuration at the initial time by algebraic operations. It features specific nonlinear velocity-dependent many-body forces depending on N² arbitrary (complex) coupling constants. Sufficient conditions on these constants are identified which cause the model to be isochronous—so that all its solutions are then periodic with a fixed period independent of the initial data. A variant with twice as many arbitrary coupling constants, or even more, is also identified.     

“强光一号”Al丝阵Z箍缩产生K层辐射实验研究

在“强光一号”加速器开展了Al丝阵Z箍缩产生K层辐射的实验研究,固定Al丝线径20 μm、丝阵直径12 mm,丝根数为8和12的负载获得K层产额分别为0.9 kJ/cm和1.1 kJ/cm,明显高于16和24根丝负载.辐射功率波形和时间分辨的X射线图像显示,低丝数负载存在拖尾质量引起的多次内爆现象.在60%—80%的内爆时间内,丝阵几乎停留在初始位置;主体内爆在随后的25—30 ns内完成,将部分等离子体留在初始位置,形成质量的拖尾分布;内爆后期驱动电流向外围的拖尾质量迁移,引 关键词： Al丝阵 Z箍缩 K层辐射')" href="#">K层辐射 拖尾质量     

An alternative evolution scenario for OAO 1657-415 and IGR J18483-0311

The relation between the spin period and the orbital period in high-mass X-ray binaries is investigated. Be/X-ray binaries and SG/X-ray binaries occupy different areas in Corbet’s diagram. The two SG/X-ray binaries, IGR J18483-0311 and OAO 1657-415, however, appear to occupy a transition region between Be/X-ray binaries and wind-fed SG/X-ray binaries. This can be understood by noting that the neutron stars in the two SG/X-ray binaries have not reached their equilibrium spin periods when the donors evolved off the main sequence. Here, we provide an alternative scenario to explain their location in Corbet’s diagram: the SG/X-ray binaries are the descendants of Be/X-ray binaries, i.e. the supergiants in these systems were formed from O-type emission line stars instead of normal main-sequence stars. Furthermore, we suggest that there are two types of SG/X-ray binaries: one is directly evolved from a normal OB-type main sequence and neutron star system without an X-ray history, and the other evolved from a Be/X-ray binary with an X-ray history.

     

Contact binaries: I. An inspection of the HSB contact binary model by comparison of relationships obtained from theoretical light curves with that from astronomical observations

The light curve is one of the most important photometric characteristics of variable stars, which can supply physical information about many stars. So, light curves are the best candidate to inspect a theoretical model of binaries. One important feature of the light curve is the difference of two light minima of the light curve, namely the difference between the primary eclipse depth and the secondary eclipse depth (DED). In this paper, the secondary eclipse depths of theoretical and observational light curves are studied. Firstly, a method to calculate the theoretical light curves of an eclipsing binary with non-spherical components is proposed, which can be put into the HSB contact binary model [Huang R Q, et al. Chin J Astron Astrophys, 2007, 7: 235–244; Song H F, et al. Chin J Astron Astrophys, 2007, 7: 539–550]. Theoretical light curves and the DED of the binary can be obtained at every evolutionary phase. The relationships of DED with mass and luminosity are presented and show special features for the contact binaries. Secondly, a large amount of observational data is collected, from which 11 massive, intermediate-mass contact binaries and 9 low-mass contact binaries are chosen and the two relationships are obtained using theoretical light curves. Finally, in order to check whether the HSB contact binary model can be used in contact binary systems with massive, intermediate-mass and low-mass components, a comparison is performed for the above mentioned relationships obtained from theoretical light curves with those from the astronomical observations. The results show a good agreement for contact binary systems with all different masses.

     

Non-adiabatic radiative collapse of a relativistic star under different initial conditions

We examine the role of space-time geometry in the non-adiabatic collapse of a star dissipating energy in the form of radial heat flow, studying its evolution under different initial conditions. The collapse of a star filled with a homogeneous perfect fluid is compared with that of a star filled with inhomogeneous imperfect fluid under anisotropic pressure. Both the configurations are spherically symmetric. However, in the latter case, the physical space t?=?constant of the configurations endowed with spheroidal or pseudospheroidal geometry is assumed to be inhomogeneous. It is observed that as long as the collapse is shear-free, its evolution depends only on the mass and size of the star at the onset of collapse.     

Limiting angular velocity of realistic relativistic neutron star models

The Keplerian velocity as well as those frequencies at which instability against gravitational radiation-reaction sets in are calculated for rotating neutron star models of gravitational mass 1.5M . The investigation is based on four different, realistic neutron star matter equations of state. Our results indicate that the gravitational radiation instability sets in wellbelow (i.e., 63–71% of) the Keplerian frequency, and thatyoung neutron stars are limited to rotational periods greater than about 1 ms. In young and therefore hot (T10¹⁰ K) neutron stars them=5(±1) modes and in old stars after being spun up and reheated by mass accretion, them=4 and/orm=3 modes may set the limit on stable rotation.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. H.J. Mang on the occasion of his 60th birthday.     

Collapse and rebound of a charged dust-like star

It is shown that a charged spherically symmetric star, made out of a continuous superposition of thin shells with Poincaré stresses, undergoes gravitational collapse in free fall like an uncharged star of dust. The interior solution is a Friedmann universe matching the Reissner-Nordström geometry at the boundary of the star. When the absolute value of the chargeQ does not exceed the massM, the star rebounds elastically inside the event horizon at the radial coordinateQ ²/(2M). The further history of the charged star after the bounce is analyzed. Besides, a simple mechanism which accounts for the development of Poincaré stresses in an originally charged star of dust is suggested. It is also verified that the energy density is nonnegative all along the collapse process.     

Constraints on the symmetry energy using the mass-radius relation of neutron stars

The nuclear symmetry energy is intimately connected with nuclear astrophysics. This contribution focuses on the estimation of the symmetry energy from experiment and how it is related to the structure of neutron stars. The most important connection is between the radii of neutron stars and the pressure of neutron star matter in the vicinity of the nuclear saturation density n_s. This pressure is essentially controlled by the nuclear symmetry energy parameters S_v and L , the first two coefficients of a Taylor expansion of the symmetry energy around n_s. We discuss constraints on these parameters that can be found from nuclear experiments. We demonstrate that these constraints are largely model-independent by deriving them qualitatively from a simple nuclear model. We also summarize how recent theoretical studies of pure neutron matter can reinforce these constraints. To date, several different astrophysical measurements of neutron star radii have been attempted. Attention is focused on photospheric radius expansion bursts and on thermal emissions from quiescent low-mass X-ray binaries. While none of these observations can, at the present time, determine individual neutron star radii to better than 20% accuracy, the body of observations can be used with Bayesian techniques to effectively constrain them to higher precision. These techniques invert the structure equations and obtain estimates of the pressure-density relation of neutron star matter, not only near n_s, but up to the highest densities found in neutron star interiors. The estimates we derive for neutron star radii are in concordance with predictions from nuclear experiment and theory.