Statistics – Computation
Scientific paper
Mar 2008
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008head...10.1027l&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, HEAD meeting #10, #10.27
Statistics
Computation
Scientific paper
We explore further the hypothesis that the accretion-powered X-ray oscillations of most accreting millisecond pulsars (MSPs) are weak and nearly sinusoidal because they are aligned or nearly aligned rotators. The geometry and strength of the neutron star's magnetic field and where accreting plasma enters its magnetosphere determine the shape and size of the emitting region on the stellar surface. These are therefore expected to change with time as the accretion flow in the inner disk changes. Our X-ray emission and general relativistic ray-tracing computations show that if accretion-powered MSPs are nearly aligned, modest changes in the size and shape of the emitting region can explain the pulse waveform variations and large apparent spin-frequency fluctuations observed in many of them. This model can be tested by comparing with observations the correlated waveform changes it predicts and their expected dependence on the accretion rate. We show that if this model is confirmed, pulse waveform measurements can be used to determine the strengths and geometries of neutron star magnetic fields and explore the physics of the disk-magnetosphere interaction. This research was supported in part by NASA grant NAG 5-12030, NSF grant AST 0709015, and funds of the Fortner Endowed Chair at Illinois, and by NSF grant AST 0708424 at Maryland.
Boutloukos Stratos
Clare Alexander
Dorris Daniel
Lamb Frederick K.
Miller Michael Coleman
No associations
LandOfFree
Waveform Variations and Apparent Spin-Frequency Fluctuations in Accretion-Powered Millisecond Pulsars does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Waveform Variations and Apparent Spin-Frequency Fluctuations in Accretion-Powered Millisecond Pulsars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Waveform Variations and Apparent Spin-Frequency Fluctuations in Accretion-Powered Millisecond Pulsars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-958148