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Low-mass X-ray binary evolution and the origin of millisecond pulsarsThe evolution of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) is considered. It is shown that X-ray irradiation of the companion stars causes these systems to undergo episodes of rapid mass transfer followed by detached phases. The systems are visible as bright X-ray binaries only for a short part of each cycle, so that their space density must be considerably larger than previously estimated. This removes the difficulty in regarding LMXBs as the progenitors of low-mass binary pulsars. The low-accretion-rate phase of the cycle with the soft X-ray transients is identified. It is shown that 3 hr is likely to be the minimum orbital period for LMXBs with main-sequence companions and it is suggested that the evolutionary endpoint for many LMXBs may be systems which are the sites of gamma-ray bursts.
Document ID
19920039762
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Frank, Juhan
(Louisiana State University Baton Rouge; Paris, Observatoire, Meudon, France)
King, Andrew R.
(Paris, Observatoire, Meudon; Paris VII, Universite France)
Lasota, Jean-Pierre
(Paris Observatoire, Meudon, France)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 2 - Letters
Volume: 385
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
92A22386
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-2447
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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