Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2007-01-13
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
5 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in A&A
Scientific paper
10.1051/0004-6361:20052669
Aims. We derive simple estimates of the maximum efficiency with which matter can be ejected by the propeller mechanism in disk-fed, rotating magnetic neutron stars. Some binary evolution scenarios envisage that this mechanism is responsible for expelling to infinity the mass inflowing at a low rate from the companion star, therefore limiting the total amount of mass that can be accreted by the neutron star. Methods. We demonstrate that, for typical neutron star parameters, a maximum of \eta_{pro} < 5.7 (P_{-3})^{1/3} times more matter than accreted can be expelled through the propeller mechanism at the expenses of the neutron star rotational energy (P_{-3} is the NS spin period in unit of 10E-3 s). Approaching this value, however, would require a great deal of fine tuning in the system parameters and the properties of the interaction of matter and magnetic field at the magnetospheric boundary. Results. We conclude that some other mechanism must be invoked in order to prevent that too much mass accretes onto the neutron stars of some low mass X-ray binaries.
Bozzo Emanuele
Burderi Luciano
Falanga Mariarosaria
Perna Rosalba
Salvo Tiziana Di
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