Evolution of tidal capture X-ray binaries - 4U 2127+12 (M15) to 4U 1820-30 (NGC 6624)

Journal Article · Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/184885· OSTI ID:6210565

Bailyn, C D; Grindlay, J E

A new evolutionary scenario for X-ray binaries in globular clusters, which begins with a tidal capture of a main-sequence star by a neutron star and ends with a white dwarf-neutron star system, is presented. For tidal captures of main-sequence stars into orbits too wide to begin mass transfer immediately, the subsequent evolution of the secondary can lead to a common envelope binary similar to what the 9 hr X-ray binary 4U 2127+12 in M15 is suspected to be. If the common envelope is thick enough, it may cause the neutron star and the white dwarf core of the secondary to spiral in, producing a detached white dwarf-neutron star system. Subsequently, gravitational radiation losses may evolve this into the configuration seen in the 11 minute X-ray binary 4U 1820-30 in NGC 6624. This model appears more likely on statistical grounds than formation by collision of a neutron star and a red giant. In some circumstances, the latter process may result in unstable mass transfer, which would result in coalescence rather than a binary system like 4U 1820-30. 34 references.

• Research Organization: Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA
• OSTI ID: 6210565
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Vol. 316
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BINARY STARS
STAR EVOLUTION
ANGULAR MOMENTUM
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
GRAVITATIONAL RADIATION
LUMINOSITY
MAIN SEQUENCE STARS
MASS
NEUTRON STARS
ROCHE EQUIPOTENTIALS
STAR CLUSTERS
STAR MODELS
WHITE DWARF STARS
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
DWARF STARS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
STARS
640102* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources