您选择的条件: Thomas M. Tauris
  • Investigating the stability of mass transfer in neutron star-helium white dwarf binaries

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Neutron star-helium white dwarf (NS+He WD) binaries are important evolutionary products of close-orbit binary star systems. They are often observed as millisecond pulsars and may continue evolving into ultra-compact X-ray binaries (UCXBs) and continuous gravitational wave (GW) sources that will be detected by space-borne GW observatories, such as LISA, TianQin and Taiji. Nevertheless, the stability of NS+He WD binaries undergoing mass transfer is not well studied and still under debate. In this paper, we model the evolution of NS+He WD binaries with WD masses ranging from 0.17-0.45 $M_{\odot}$, applying the detailed stellar evolution code mesa. Contrary to previous studies based on hydrodynamics, we find that apparently all NS+He WD binaries undergo stable mass transfer. We find for such UCXBs that the larger the WD mass, the larger the maximum mass-transfer rate and the smaller the minimum orbital period during their evolution. Finally, we demonstrate numerically and analytically that there is a tight correlation between WD mass and GW frequency for UCXBs, independent of NS mass.

  • Novel Model of an Ultra-stripped Supernova Progenitor of a Double Neutron Star

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Recent discoveries of double neutron star (DNS) mergers and ultra-stripped supernovae (SNe) raise the questions of their origin and connection. We present the first 1D~model of a DNS progenitor system which is calculated self-consistently until an ultra-stripped iron core collapse. We apply the \texttt{MESA} code starting from a post-common envelope binary consisting of a $1.35\;M_\odot$ NS and a $3.20\;M_\odot$ zero-age main-sequence helium star and continue the modelling via Case~BB Roche-lobe overflow until the infall velocity of the collapsing iron core exceeds $1000\;{\rm km\,s}^{-1}$. The exploding star has a total mass of $\sim 1.90\;M_\odot$, consisting of a $\sim 0.29\;M_\odot$ He-rich envelope embedding a CO core of $\sim 1.61\;M_\odot$ and an iron-rich core of $\sim 1.50\;M_\odot$. The resulting second-born NS has an estimated mass of $\sim 1.44\;M_\odot$ and we discuss the fate of the post-SN system, as well as the mild recycling of the first-born NS. Depending on the initial conditions, this family of systems is anticipated to reproduce the DNS mergers detected by the LIGO-network.

  • Formation of the double white dwarf binary PTF J0533+0209 through stable mass transfer?

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Double white dwarf (DWD) binaries are important for studies of common-envelope (CE) evolution, Type Ia supernova progenitors and Galactic sources of low-frequency gravitational waves (GWs). PTF J0533+0209 is a DWD system with a short orbital period of Porb ~ 20 min and thus a so-called LISA verification source. The formation of this system and other DWDs is still under debate. In this paper, we discuss the possible formation scenarios of this binary and argue that it is not likely to have formed through CE evolution. Applying a new magnetic braking prescription, we use the MESA code to model the formation of this system through stable mass transfer. We find a model which can well reproduce the observed WD masses and orbital period but not the effective temperature and hydrogen abundance of the low-mass He WD component. We discuss the possibility of using H flashes to mitigate this discrepancy. Finally, we discuss the future evolution of this system into a AM CVn binary such as those that will be detected by space-borne GW observatories like LISA, TianQin and Taiji.

  • Simulations of the progenitors of black hole-neutron star gravitational wave sources

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Recent discoveries of gravitational wave (GW) events most likely originating from black hole (BH) + neutron star (NS) mergers reveal the existence of BH+NS binaries. The formation of BH+NS binaries and their merger rates through isolated binary evolution have been investigated extensively with population synthesis simulations. A detailed stellar evolution modelings of the formation of this population, however, is missing in the literature. In this work, we perform the first complete 1D model of more than 30 BH+NS progenitor systems which are calculated self-consistently until the iron core collapse with infall velocity exceeds 1000 km s^-1. Focusing on the progenitors of BH- NS GW sources, we apply the MESA code starting from a post-common envelope binary with short orbital period (< 1 day) consisting of a BH and a zero-age main-sequence helium star that experiences stable mass transfer. These NS masses could be significantly larger depending on the exact mass cut during the supernova explosion. These BH+NS systems are likely to merge and produce GW events within a Hubble time. System C is a potential progenitor of a GW200115-like event, while Systems A and B are possible candidates for a GW200105-like event and may represent the final destiny of the X-ray binary SS433.

  • Simulations of the progenitors of black hole-neutron star gravitational wave sources

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Recent discoveries of gravitational wave (GW) events most likely originating from black hole (BH) + neutron star (NS) mergers reveal the existence of BH+NS binaries. The formation of BH+NS binaries and their merger rates through isolated binary evolution have been investigated extensively with population synthesis simulations. A detailed stellar evolution modelings of the formation of this population, however, is missing in the literature. In this work, we perform the first complete 1D model of more than 30 BH+NS progenitor systems which are calculated self-consistently until the iron core collapse with infall velocity exceeds 1000 km s^-1. Focusing on the progenitors of BH- NS GW sources, we apply the MESA code starting from a post-common envelope binary with short orbital period (< 1 day) consisting of a BH and a zero-age main-sequence helium star that experiences stable mass transfer. These NS masses could be significantly larger depending on the exact mass cut during the supernova explosion. These BH+NS systems are likely to merge and produce GW events within a Hubble time. System C is a potential progenitor of a GW200115-like event, while Systems A and B are possible candidates for a GW200105-like event and may represent the final destiny of the X-ray binary SS433.