Related papers: Torque Reversal in Accretion-Powered X-ray Pulsars
The observed abrupt torque reversals in X-ray pulsars, 4U 1626-67, GX 1+4, and OAO 1657-415, can be explained by transition in accretion flow rotation from Keplerian to sub-Keplerian, which takes place at a critical accretion rate, $\sim…
The accretion-powered, X-ray pulsar 4U 1626-67 has recently shown an abrupt torque reversal accompanied by a dramatic spectral transition and a relatively small luminosity change. The time-averaged X-ray spectrum during spin-down is…
Enigmatic transitions between spin-up and spin-down have been observed in several X-ray pulsars accreting matter via an accretion disk. In these transitions, the torque changes sign but remains at nearly the same magnitude. It has been…
Dramatic torque reversals between spin up and spin down have been observed in half of the persistent X-ray pulsars monitored by the BATSE all-sky monitor on CGRO. Theoretical models developed to explain early pulsar timing data can explain…
We numerically investigate the hydrodynamics of accretion disk reversal and relate our findings to the observed spin-rate changes in the accreting X-ray pulsar GX~1+4. In this system, which accretes from a slow wind, the accretion disk…
We have extended the analytical model proposed earlier to estimate the inner disk radius of accreting neutron stars in the strong-propeller (SP) phase, and the conditions for the transitions between the strong and weak propeller (WP) phases…
The recent emergence of a new class of accretion-powered, transient, millisecond X-ray pulsars presents some difficulties for the conventional picture of accretion onto rapidly rotating magnetized neutron stars and their spin behavior…
X-ray pulsars shine thanks to the conversion of the gravitational energy of accreted material to X-ray radiation. The accretion rate is modulated by geometrical and hydrodynamical effects in the stellar wind of the pulsar companions and/or…
Over five years of daily hard X-ray (>20 keV) monitoring of the 2-min accretion-powered pulsar GX 1+4 with the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory/BATSE large-area detectors has found nearly continuous rapid spin-down, interrupted by a bright…
We review the pulse profile evolution of the unique accretion powered X-ray pulsar 4U 1626-67 over the last 40 years since its discovery. This pulsar showed two distinct eras of steady spin-up separated by a steady spin-down episode for…
Several X-ray pulsars have been observed to experience torque reversals, which provide important observational clues to the interaction between the neutron star magnetic field and the accretion disk. We review the current models proposed…
We have investigated the rotational and the X-ray luminosity ($L_{\mathrm{x}}$) observations of 4U 1626--67 accumulated during the last four decades. It has been recorded that the source underwent a torque reversal twice. We have tried to…
X-ray observations of the accreting X-ray pulsar 4U~1907+09, obtained during February 1996 with the Proportional Counter Array on the Rossi X-ray Timing Experiment (RXTE), have enabled the first measurement of the intrinsic pulse period…
Accreting millisecond X-ray pulsars (AMXPs) are transient X-ray sources likely to be in the final evolutionary phases of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs). In this work, we have investigated the torque and X-ray luminosity variations of five…
Recent X-ray observations by Fermi/GBM discovered a new torque reversal of 4U 1626-67 after 18 years of steady spinning down. Using Swift/BAT observations we were able to center this new torque reversal on Feb 4 2008, lasting approximately…
Millisecond x-ray pulsars have weak magnetic dipole moments of $\sim 10^{16}$\,T\,m$^3$ compared to ordinary X-ray pulsars with dipole moments of $10^{20}$\,T\,m$^3$. For this reason a surrounding accretion disc can extend closer to the…
We review recent results from the X-ray timing of accreting millisecond pulsars in Low Mass X-ray Binaries. This is the first time a timing analysis is performed on accreting millisecond pulsars, and for the first time we can obtain…
Three high-mass X-ray binaries have been discovered recently exhibiting enormous spinup rates. Conventional accretion theory predicts extremely high surface dipolar magnetic fields that we believe are unphysical. Instead, we propose quite…
I review the rotation measurements of accreting neutron stars. Many of the highly magnetic accreting X-ray pulsars have been continuously observed with the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) aboard the Compton Gamma-Ray…
Using archival BATSE (Burst and Transient Source Experiment) 20-60 keV band X-ray flux and pulse frequency time series, we look for correlations between torque, luminosity and specific angular momentum for three high mass X-ray binary…