scholarly journals Orbital evolution of neutron-star–white-dwarf binaries by Roche lobe overflow and gravitational wave radiation

2021 ◽  
Vol 503 (2) ◽  
pp. 2776-2790
Author(s):  
Shenghua Yu ◽  
Youjun Lu ◽  
C Simon Jeffery
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Gravitational Wave ◽  
White Dwarf ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Orbital Evolution ◽  
Roche Lobe ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Wave Radiation ◽  
Binary Evolution

ABSTRACT We investigate the effects of mass transfer and gravitational wave (GW) radiation on the orbital evolution of contact neutron-star–white-dwarf (NS–WD) binaries, and the detectability of these binaries by space GW detectors (e.g. Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, LISA; Taiji; Tianqin). A NS–WD binary becomes contact when the WD component fills its Roche lobe, at which the GW frequency ranges from ∼0.0023 to 0.72 Hz for WD with masses ∼0.05–1.4 M⊙. We find that some high-mass NS–WD binaries may undergo direct coalescence after unstable mass transfer. However, the majority of NS–WD binaries can avoid direct coalescence because mass transfer after contact can lead to a reversal of the orbital evolution. Our model can well interpret the orbital evolution of the ultra-compact X-ray source 4U 1820–30. For a 4-yr observation of 4U 1820–30, the expected signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) in GW characteristic strain is ∼11.0/10.4/2.2 (LISA/Taiji/Tianqin). The evolution of GW frequencies of NS–WD binaries depends on the WD masses. NS–WD binaries with masses larger than 4U 1820–30 are expected to be detected with significantly larger SNRs. For a $(1.4+0.5) \, {\rm M}_{\odot }$ NS–WD binary close to contact, the expected SNR for a one week observation is ∼27/40/28 (LISA/Taiji/Tianqin). For NS–WD binaries with masses of $(1.4+\gtrsim 1.1) \, {\rm M}_{\odot }$, the significant change of GW frequencies and amplitudes can be measured, and thus it is possible to determine the binary evolution stage. At distances up to the edge of the Galaxy (∼100 kpc), high-mass NS–WD binaries will be still detectable with SNR ≳ 1.

scholarly journals Formation of hot subdwarf B stars with neutron star components

2018 ◽  
Vol 618 ◽  
pp. A14 ◽  
Author(s):  
You Wu ◽  
Xuefei Chen ◽  
Zhenwei Li ◽  
Zhanwen Han
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Gravitational Wave ◽  
Orbital Period ◽  
Initial Mass ◽  
Wave Radiation ◽  
B Stars ◽  
Subdwarf B Stars ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Binary Evolution

Context. Binary population synthesis predicts the existence of subdwarf B stars (sdBs) with neutron star (NS) or black hole (BH) companions. Several works have been dedicated to finding such systems, but none has been confirmed yet. Theoretically, the formation of sdBs with white dwarf (WD) and main sequence (MS) companions has been well investigated, while those with NS or BH companions remain to be explored further. Aims. We systematically investigate the formation of sdB+NS binaries from binary evolution and aim to obtain some clues for a search for such systems. Methods. We started from a series of MS+NS systems and determined the parameter spaces for producing sdB+NS binaries from the stable Roche-lobe overflow (RLOF) channel and from the common envelope (CE) ejection channel. The parameters for sdB+NS binaries were obtained from detailed binary evolution calculation with the code called modules for experiments in stellar astrophysics (MESA), and the CE parameters were given by the standard energy budget for CE evolution. The MS star had an initial mass ranging from 0.8 to 5 M⊙. Various NS accretion efficiencies and NS masses were examined to investigate the effects they have. We show the characteristics of the produced sdB+NS systems, such as the mass of components, orbital period, the semi-amplitude of the radial velocity (K), and the spin of the NS component. Results. sdB+NS binaries can be produced either from stable RLOF or from CE ejection. In the stable RLOF channel, sdBs can be formed when the donor starts mass transfer close to the tip of the giant branch if the donor has an initial mass ≤2.0 M⊙. For more massive donors, sdBs can be formed when the donor starts mass transfer during the Hertzsprung gap or near the end of the MS. The orbital period of sdB+NS binaries produced in this way ranges from several days to more than 1000 days and moves toward the short-period (∼hr) side with increasing initial MS mass. The highest K is about 150 km s−1 for an MS star of initially 5 M⊙. However, the sdB+NS systems that result from CE ejection have very short orbital periods and then high values of K (up to 800 km s−1). Such systems are born in very young populations (younger than 0.3 Gyr) and are potential gravitational wave sources that might be resolved by the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) in the future. Gravitational wave radiation may again bring them into contact on a timescale of only ∼Myr. As a consequence, they are rare and hard to discover. The pulsar signal is likely a feature of sdB+NS systems caused by stable RLOF, and some NS components in sdB binaries may be millisecond pulsars. Various NS accretion efficiencies and NS masses change some properties of sdB+NS binaries, but not our general results.

scholarly journals Mass transfer on a nuclear timescale in models of supergiant and ultra-luminous X-ray binaries

2019 ◽  
Vol 628 ◽  
pp. A19 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Quast ◽  
N. Langer ◽  
T. M. Tauris
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Roche Lobe ◽  
High Mass ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Mass Ratios ◽  
X Ray Binaries ◽  
Eddington Limit

Context. The origin and number of the Galactic supergiant X-ray binaries is currently not well understood. They consist of an evolved massive star and a neutron star or black-hole companion. X-rays are thought to be generated from the accretion of wind material donated by the supergiant, while mass transfer due to Roche-lobe overflow is mostly disregarded because the high mass ratios of these systems are thought to render this process unstable. Aims. We investigate how the proximity of supergiant donor stars to the Eddington limit, and their advanced evolutionary stage, may influence the evolution of massive and ultra-luminous X-ray binaries with supergiant donor stars (SGXBs and ULXs). Methods. We constructed models of massive stars with different internal hydrogen and helium gradients (H/He gradients) and different hydrogen-rich envelope masses, and exposed them to slow mass-loss to probe the response of the stellar radius. In addition, we computed the corresponding Roche-lobe overflow mass-transfer evolution with our detailed binary stellar evolution code, approximating the compact objects as point masses. Results. We find that a H/He gradient in the layers beneath the surface, as it is likely present in the well-studied donor stars of observed SGBXs, can enable mass transfer in SGXBs on a nuclear timescale with a black-hole or a neutron star accretor, even for mass ratios in excess of 20. In our binary evolution models, the donor stars rapidly decrease their thermal equilibrium radius and can therefore cope with the inevitably strong orbital contraction imposed by the high mass ratio. We find that the orbital period derivatives of our models agree well with empirical values. We argue that the SGXB phase may be preceded by a common-envelope evolution. The envelope inflation near the Eddington limit means that this mechanism more likely occurs at high metallicity. Conclusion. Our results open a new perspective for understanding that SGBXs are numerous in our Galaxy and are almost completely absent in the Small Magellanic Cloud. Our results may also offer a way to find more ULX systems, to detect mass transfer on nuclear timescales in ULX systems even with neutron star accretors, and shed new light on the origin of the strong B-field in these neutron stars.

scholarly journals A WHITE DWARF-NEUTRON STAR RELATIVISTIC BINARY MODEL FOR SOFT GAMMA-RAY REPEATERS

2005 ◽  
Vol 14 (09) ◽  
pp. 1473-1484 ◽  
Author(s):  
HERMAN J. MOSQUERA CUESTA
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Orbital Period ◽  
White Dwarf ◽  
Fundamental Mode ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Integer Number ◽  
Binary Separation ◽  
Massive Neutron Star

A scenario for soft gamma-ray repeaters (SGRs) is introduced in which gravitational radiation reaction (GRR) effects drive the dynamics of an ultrashort orbital period X-ray binary embracing a high-mass donor white dwarf (WD) to a rapidly rotating low magnetized massive neutron star (NS) surrounded by a thick, dense and massive accretion torus. Driven by GRR, over timescales of ΔTrep~ 10 years, the binary separation reduces, the WD overflows its Roche lobe and the mass transfer drives unstable the accretion disk around the NS. As the binary circular orbital period is a multiple integer number (m) of the period of the WD fundamental mode,37the WD is since long pulsating at its fundamental mode; and most of its harmonics, due to the tidal interaction with its NS orbital companion. Hence, when the powerful irradiation glows onto the WD; from the fireball ejected as part of the disk matter slumps onto the NS, it is partially absorbed. This huge energy excites other WD radial (p-mode) pulsations.34,35After each mass-transfer episode the binary separation (and orbital period) is augmented significantly1,5due to the binary's angular momentum redistribution. Thus a new adiabatic inspiral phase driven by GRR reaction starts which brings the binary close again, and the process repeats after a time span ΔTrep. This model allows to explain most of SGRs observational features: their recurrent activity, energetics of giant superoutbursts and quiescent stages, and particularly the intriguing subpulses discovered by BeppoSAX,10which are suggested here to be overtones of the WD radial fundamental mode (see the accompanying paper).31

scholarly journals The expansion of stripped-envelope stars: Consequences for supernovae and gravitational-wave progenitors

2020 ◽  
Vol 637 ◽  
pp. A6 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Laplace ◽  
Y. Götberg ◽  
S. E. de Mink ◽  
S. Justham ◽  
R. Farmer
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Gravitational Wave ◽  
Compact Objects ◽  
Population Synthesis ◽  
Outer Envelope ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
Binary Evolution ◽  
Ultimate Fate ◽  
High Metallicity

Massive binaries that merge as compact objects are the progenitors of gravitational-wave sources. Most of these binaries experience one or more phases of mass transfer, during which one of the stars loses all or part of its outer envelope and becomes a stripped-envelope star. The evolution of the size of these stripped stars is crucial in determining whether they experience further interactions and understanding their ultimate fate. We present new calculations of stripped-envelope stars based on binary evolution models computed with MESA. We use these to investigate their radius evolution as a function of mass and metallicity. We further discuss their pre-supernova observable characteristics and potential consequences of their evolution on the properties of supernovae from stripped stars. At high metallicity, we find that practically all of the hydrogen-rich envelope is removed, which is in agreement with earlier findings. Only progenitors with initial masses below 10 M⊙ expand to large radii (up to 100 R⊙), while more massive progenitors remain compact. At low metallicity, a substantial amount of hydrogen remains and the progenitors can, in principle, expand to giant sizes (> 400 R⊙) for all masses we consider. This implies that they can fill their Roche lobe anew. We show that the prescriptions commonly used in population synthesis models underestimate the stellar radii by up to two orders of magnitude. We expect that this has consequences for the predictions for gravitational-wave sources from double neutron star mergers, particularly with regard to their metallicity dependence.

scholarly journals Classical Novae in the Context of the Evolution of Cataclysmic Binaries

1990 ◽  
Vol 122 ◽  
pp. 313-324
Author(s):  
Hans Ritter
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
White Dwarf ◽  
White Dwarfs ◽  
Mass Range ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Transfer Rates ◽  
Classical Novae ◽  
Secular Evolution ◽  
Cataclysmic Binaries ◽  
Nova Outbursts

AbstractIn this paper we explore to what extent the TNR model of nova outbursts and our current concepts of the formation and secular evolution of cataclysmic binaries are compatible. Specifically we address the following questions: 1) whether observational selection can explain the high white dwarf masses attributed to novae, 2) whether novae on white dwarfs in the mass range 0.6M⊙ ≲ M ≲ 0.9M⊙ can occur and how much they could contribute to the observed nova frequency, and 3) whether the high mass transfer rates imposed on the white dwarf in systems above the period gap can be accommodated by the TNR model of nova outbursts.

scholarly journals Optical Low States of the Supersoft X-Ray Source RXJ0513.9–6951

1997 ◽  
Vol 163 ◽  
pp. 787-787
Author(s):  
K. Reinsch ◽  
A. van Teeseling ◽  
K. Beuermann ◽  
T.M.C. Abbott
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
White Dwarf ◽  
Mass Transfer Rate ◽  
Central Star ◽  
High Mass ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Total Luminosity ◽  
Nuclear Burning ◽  
Sudden Decrease ◽  
Optical Flux

The transient luminous soft X-ray source RXJ0513.9–6951 (Schaeidt et al., 1993, A&A 270, L9) is a high-mass-transfer binary system (Cowley et al., 1993, ApJ 418, L63; Pakull et al., 1993, A&A 278, L39) with a probable orbital period of 0.76 days (Crampton et al., 1996, ApJ 456, 320). Here, we summarize the results of a quasi-simultaneous optical and X-ray monitoring (see Fig. 1). The sudden decrease of the optical flux, the accompanying reddening, and the turn-on in the soft X-ray band can be quantitatively described by variations in the irradiation of the accretion disk by the hot central star (Reinsch et al., 1996, A&A 309, L11). In this simple model, we consider a white dwarf with nuclear burning of accreted matter (van den Heuvel et al., 1992, A&A 262, 97), surrounded by a flat standard disk. In the optical high state, accretion at near-Eddington rate occurs and the white dwarf photospheric radius must be considerably expanded causing an enhanced illumination of the disk and the secondary. In the optical low state, the photosphere shrinks in response to a temporarily slightly reduced mass-transfer rate. At the same time, the effective temperature increases, and the soft X-ray flux becomes detectable with ROSAT. This model does not depend on the particular cause for the drop in the accretion rate and can describe the optical/ X-ray variability with the total luminosity changing by less than 20 %.

scholarly journals Critical Mass for Merging in Double White Dwarfs

1989 ◽  
Vol 114 ◽  
pp. 450-453
Author(s):  
Izumi Hachisu ◽  
Mariko Kato
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Gravitational Radiation ◽  
White Dwarf ◽  
Binary Stars ◽  
White Dwarfs ◽  
Radiation Effect ◽  
Critical Mass ◽  
Mass Transfer Rate ◽  
Roche Lobe ◽  
Common Envelope

We examine whether or not double white dwarfs are ultimately merging into one body. It has been argued that such a double white dwarf system forms from some intermediate-mass binary stars and will merge due to the gravitational radiation which decreases the separation of binary. After filling the inner critical Roche lobe, the less massive component begins to transfer its mass to the more massive one. When the mass transfer rate exceeds a some critical value, a common envelope is formed. If the common envelope is hydrostatic, the mass transfer is tuned up to be a some value which depends only on the white dwarf mass, radius, and the Roche lobe size. The mass transfer from the less massive to the more massive components leads the separation to increase. On the other hand, the gravitational radiation effect reduces the separation. Which effect wins determines the fate of double white dwarfs, that is, whether merging or not merging. Since the formula of the gravitational radiation effect is well known, we have studied the mass accretion rate in common envelope phase of double white dwarfs assuming the Roche lobe size is as small as 0.03 R⊙ or 0.1 R⊙.

scholarly journals Wind Roche lobe overflow in high-mass X-ray binaries

2019 ◽  
Vol 622 ◽  
pp. L3 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. El Mellah ◽  
J. O. Sundqvist ◽  
R. Keppens
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Compact Object ◽  
Stellar Mass ◽  
Roche Lobe ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Transfer Rates ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Accretion Rates ◽  
Mass Outflow ◽  
X Ray Binaries

Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) have such high X-ray luminosities that they were long thought to be accreting intermediate-mass black holes. Yet, some ULXs have been shown to display periodic modulations and coherent pulsations suggestive of a neutron star in orbit around a stellar companion and accreting at super-Eddington rates. In this Letter, we propose that the mass transfer in ULXs could be qualitatively the same as in supergiant X-ray binaries (SgXBs), with a wind from the donor star highly beamed towards the compact object. Since the star does not fill its Roche lobe, this mass transfer mechanism known as “wind Roche lobe overflow” can remain stable even for large donor-star-to-accretor mass ratios. Based on realistic acceleration profiles derived from spectral observations and modeling of the stellar wind, we compute the bulk motion of the wind to evaluate the fraction of the stellar mass outflow entering the region of gravitational predominance of the compact object. The density enhancement towards the accretor leads to mass-transfer rates systematically much larger than the mass-accretion rates derived by the Bondi-Hoyle-Lyttleton formula. We identify orbital and stellar conditions for a SgXBs to transfer mass at rates necessary to reach the ULX luminosity level. These results indicate that Roche-lobe overflow is not the only way to funnel large quantities of material into the Roche lobe of the accretor. With the stellar mass-loss rates and parameters of M101 ULX-1 and NGC 7793 P13, wind Roche-lobe overflow can reproduce mass-transfer rates that qualify an object as an ULX.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document