Angular momentum transfer in non-axisymmetric accretion

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

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Accretion Disks, Angular Momentum, Momentum Transfer, Stellar Mass Accretion, Axisymmetric Flow, Flow Geometry, Magnetic Effects, Neutron Stars, Pressure Gradients, Stellar Winds, Supersonic Flow, X Ray Binaries

Scientific paper

The problem of mass and angular momentum accretion onto a gravitating object from a nonaxisymmetric supersonic wind is studied. A general formalism is developed for the evaluation of the angular momentum transfer rate in a steady-state flow with infinitesimal perturbations from an axisymmetric accretion flow. The discrepancies in previous analytic calculations, particularly the modification of the accretion radius in response to the inhomogeneities and the neglect of the contribution from pressure gradient torque, are reviewed. Simple order-of-magnitude estimates of the angular momentum transfer based on the general formalism are given, although the uncertainties remain substantial. The constraint of the central object's finite size on the angular momentum transfer, which can result in qualitative changes in the accretion flow and the formation of an accretion disk, is discussed. If the disk is formed in a wind accretion, it is argued that the viscous interaction between the disk and the passing wind can cause the episodic reversals in the sense of circulation of the disk, as observed in many numerical experiments.

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