Accreting X-ray pulsar atmospheres heated by Coulomb deceleration of protons

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/183973· OSTI ID:6240464

Meszaros, P; Harding, A K; Kirk, J G; Galloway, D J

We present results from detailed self-consistent models of accreting magnetized neutron star atmosphere, heated by the gradual deceleration of infalling protons via Coulomb encounters. The temperature and density gradients are calculated assuming momentum and energy balance, coupled with the radiative transfer for two polarizations. The cyclotron resonance effects were treated approximately. These models are characterized by power-law energy spectra, with single pulses at higher frequencies and multiple pulses at lower ones for some aspect angles, as well as a phase-dependent spectral index.

• Research Organization: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA
• OSTI ID: 6240464
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States) Vol. 266:1; ISSN AJLEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
640103 -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATMOSPHERES
BARYONS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
COULOMB FIELD
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NEUTRON STARS
NUCLEONS
PROTONS
PULSARS
STAR ACCRETION
STAR EVOLUTION
STAR MODELS
STARS
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
STELLAR RADIATION