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A Modified Beat Frequency Modulated Accretion Model I. Spin Periods and Magnetic Moments of Z-Sources Inferred from Horizontal Branch QPO. (1997)

Abstract
We present a modified beat-frequency modulated accretion model appropriate to a description of the horizontal branch oscillations of Z-type low-mass x-ray binaries. This model incorporates several new physical elements: (1) magnetic screening by the accretion disk and neutron star, (2) radiation pressure dominance in the inner disk, and (3) stellar rotation effects. Fitted to observational data, the model constrains the surface magnetic field in a typical LMXB Z source to be less than 10(exp 9) G and the stellar spin frequency to be greater than 400 Hz. The predicted high stellar spin frequency falls in a range where observational upper limits on pulsation are not a constraint. The derived magnetic field and spin frequency range are compatible with the fastest radio pulsars.

Publication details
Download http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA327573
Contributors STANFORD UNIV CA W W HANSEN LABS OF PHYSICS
Repository Defense Technical Information Center OAI-PMH Repository (United States)
Keywords ASTRONOMY, ASTROPHYSICS, *BINARY STARS, *NEUTRON STARS, MAGNETIC FIELDS, FREQUENCY MODULATION, PLASMA OSCILLATION, RADIATION PRESSURE, MAGNETIC MOMENTS, RADIO SOURCES(ASTRONOMY), X RAY ASTRONOMY, STELLAR EVOLUTION, PULSARS., LMXB(LOW MASS X RAY BINARIES), QPO(QUASIPERIODIC OSCILLATIONS), Z PINCH PLASMAS
Language eng