The beat-frequency interpretation of kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations in neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries

Dimitrios Psaltis; Mariano Méndez; Rudy Wijnands; Jeroen Homan; Peter G. Jonker; Michiel Van Der Klis; Frederick K. Lamb; Erik Kuulkers; Jan Van Paradijs; Walter H.G. Lewin

doi:10.1086/311455

The beat-frequency interpretation of kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations in neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries

Dimitrios Psaltis, Mariano Méndez, Rudy Wijnands, Jeroen Homan, Peter G. Jonker, Michiel Van Der Klis, Frederick K. Lamb, Erik Kuulkers, Jan Van Paradijs, Walter H.G. Lewin

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

63 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pairs of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) at kilohertz frequencies are a common phenomenon in several neutron-star low-mass X-ray binaries. The frequency separation of the QPO peaks in the pair appears to be constant in many sources and directly related to the neutron star spin frequency. However, in Sco X-1 and possibly in 4U 1608252, the frequency separation between the QPO peaks decreases with increasing inferred mass accretion rate. We show that the currently available Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer data are consistent with the hypothesis that the peak separations in all sources vary by amounts similar to the variation in Sco X-1. We discuss the implications for models of the kilohertz QPOs.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	L95-L99
Journal	Astrophysical Journal Letters
Volume	501
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/311455
State	Published - Jul 1 1998
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Accretion
Accretion disks
Stars: neutron
X-rays: stars

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

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10.1086/311455

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title = "The beat-frequency interpretation of kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations in neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries",

abstract = "Pairs of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) at kilohertz frequencies are a common phenomenon in several neutron-star low-mass X-ray binaries. The frequency separation of the QPO peaks in the pair appears to be constant in many sources and directly related to the neutron star spin frequency. However, in Sco X-1 and possibly in 4U 1608252, the frequency separation between the QPO peaks decreases with increasing inferred mass accretion rate. We show that the currently available Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer data are consistent with the hypothesis that the peak separations in all sources vary by amounts similar to the variation in Sco X-1. We discuss the implications for models of the kilohertz QPOs.",

keywords = "Accretion, Accretion disks, Stars: neutron, X-rays: stars",

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doi = "10.1086/311455",

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AU - Psaltis, Dimitrios

AU - Méndez, Mariano

AU - Wijnands, Rudy

AU - Homan, Jeroen

AU - Jonker, Peter G.

AU - Van Der Klis, Michiel

AU - Lamb, Frederick K.

AU - Kuulkers, Erik

AU - Van Paradijs, Jan

AU - Lewin, Walter H.G.

PY - 1998/7/1

Y1 - 1998/7/1

N2 - Pairs of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) at kilohertz frequencies are a common phenomenon in several neutron-star low-mass X-ray binaries. The frequency separation of the QPO peaks in the pair appears to be constant in many sources and directly related to the neutron star spin frequency. However, in Sco X-1 and possibly in 4U 1608252, the frequency separation between the QPO peaks decreases with increasing inferred mass accretion rate. We show that the currently available Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer data are consistent with the hypothesis that the peak separations in all sources vary by amounts similar to the variation in Sco X-1. We discuss the implications for models of the kilohertz QPOs.

AB - Pairs of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) at kilohertz frequencies are a common phenomenon in several neutron-star low-mass X-ray binaries. The frequency separation of the QPO peaks in the pair appears to be constant in many sources and directly related to the neutron star spin frequency. However, in Sco X-1 and possibly in 4U 1608252, the frequency separation between the QPO peaks decreases with increasing inferred mass accretion rate. We show that the currently available Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer data are consistent with the hypothesis that the peak separations in all sources vary by amounts similar to the variation in Sco X-1. We discuss the implications for models of the kilohertz QPOs.

KW - Accretion

KW - Accretion disks

KW - Stars: neutron

KW - X-rays: stars

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ER -

The beat-frequency interpretation of kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations in neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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