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Successive X-ray bursts from accreting neutron starsThe evolution of a neutron star undergoing a series of thermonuclear flashes in its accreted hydrogen-rich layer has been numerically followed to determine the effects of the history of the neutron star's thermal and compositional structure on the properties of the emitted X-ray bursts. Burst characteristics are studied for a range of mass accretion rates, CNO abundances in the accreted matter, and initial thermal states of the underlying neutron star core; the bursts exhibit erratic behavior for low CNO metal abundances and cool neutron star cores, with the burst recurrence time scales varying by 1-2 orders of magnitude. There is typically a continued presence of a substantial amount of unburnt hydrogen in the accreted layer throughout the series of the X-ray burst events. Convective mixing during the quiescent phase leads to the inward transport of helium to high densities and eventually to the initiation of the next outburst. The resulting bursts can be weak and, in such cases, are characterized by short recurrence time scales (1-2 hr), low peak luminosities (0.1-0.2 times the Eddington value), and low alpha-values (about 20).
Document ID
19930068058
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Taam, Ronald E.
(Northwestern Univ. Evanston, IL; Lawrence Livermore National Lab., Livermore, CA, United States)
Woosley, S. E.
(Lawrence Livermore National Lab. Livermore; Lick Observatory, Santa Cruz, CA, United States)
Weaver, T. A.
(Lawrence Livermore National Lab. Livermore, CA, United States)
Lamb, D. Q.
(Chicago Univ. IL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
August 10, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 413
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
93A52055
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-830
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF AST-91-15367
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1284
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-2525
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-2526
CONTRACT_GRANT: W-7405-ENG-48
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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