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Supercritical disk accretion onto magnetized neutron stars

Journal Article · · Sov. Astron. (Engl. Transl.); (United States)
OSTI ID:6849579

The interaction between the accretion stream and the magnetosphere of a neutron star (NS) in the mode of supercritical disk accretion is discussed. The maximum rate of accretion onto a magnetized NS is found. The maximum energy release proves to be L/sub max/approx. =46 L/sub Ed/..mu../sup 4/9//sub 30/ (L/sub Ed/ is the Eddington luminosity limit and ..mu../sub 30/ = ..mu../10/sup 30/ G x cm/sup 3/ is the dipole magnetic moment of the NS). The evolution of the period of a neutron star in the mode of supercritical accretion is investigated and it is shown that, regardless of the initial period, the NS arrives at the equilibrium accretion state in a time of less than 10/sup 4/ years if ..mu../sub 30/> or approx. =1. The value of the equilibrium period is P/sub eq/approx. =0.17..mu../sup 2/3//sub 30/ sec.

Research Organization:
P. K. Shternberg State Astronomical Institute
OSTI ID:
6849579
Journal Information:
Sov. Astron. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. Astron. (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 26:1; ISSN SAAJA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English