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12 - Thermal X-rays from Neutron Stars

from Part II - Observed Physical Characteristics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 July 2022

Andrew Lyne ,
Francis Graham-Smith  and
Benjamin Stappers
Andrew Lyne
Affiliation:
University of Manchester
Francis Graham-Smith
Affiliation:
University of Manchester
Benjamin Stappers
Affiliation:
University of Manchester
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Summary

Thermal x-rays from neutron stars are mainly radiated by accretion discs originating in the flux of material from a companion star. The companions are white dwarf stars with a range of masses, and some black holes. X-ray bursts are attributed to catastrophic nuclear events on the neutron star surface following accretion from the companion. Structure in the rotating accretion disc is observed as quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs).

Keywords

Binary X-ray light curvesOrbits and companion massesHigh-mass x-ray binaries (HMXBs) Low-mass x-ray binaries (LMXBs)Peculiar systemsBlack holesAccretion spin-upX-ray burstersQuasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs)Ultra-luminous x-ray Sources
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Chapter
Information
Pulsar Astronomy , pp. 192 - 210
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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