A deep pulse search in 11 low mass X-ray binaries

Patruno, A., Wette, K. and Messenger, C. (2018) A deep pulse search in 11 low mass X-ray binaries. Astrophysical Journal, 859(2), 112. (doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/aabf89)

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Abstract

We present a systematic coherent X-ray pulsation search in 11 low mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs). We select a relatively broad variety of LMXBs, including persistent and transient sources, spanning orbital periods between 0.3 and 17 hr. We use about 3.6 Ms of data collected by the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer and XMM-Newton and apply a semi-coherent search strategy to look for weak and persistent pulses in a wide spin frequency range. We find no evidence for X-ray pulsations in these systems and consequently set upper limits on the pulsed sinusoidal semi-amplitude below 1.6% for ten outbursting/persistent LMXBs and 6% for a quiescent system; the upper limits are further refined, by searching a narrower parameter space around the outliers, down to 0.14%-0.78% and 2.9%, respectively. These results suggest that weak pulsations might not form in (most) non pulsating LMXBs.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:A.P. acknowledges support from a Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) Vidi Fellowship. K.W. acknowledges support from ARC CE170100004.
Keywords:Binaries: general, stars: neutron, stars: rotation, X-rays: binaries, X-rays: stars.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Messenger, Dr Christopher
Authors: Patruno, A., Wette, K., and Messenger, C.
Subjects:Q Science > QB Astronomy
Q Science > QC Physics
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Research Centre:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy > Institute for Gravitational Research
Research Group:Institute for Gravitational Research
Journal Name:Astrophysical Journal
Publisher:American Astronomical Society
ISSN:0004-637X
ISSN (Online):1538-4357
Published Online:30 May 2018
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 The American Astronomical Society
First Published:First published in Astrophysical Journal 859(2): 112
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy
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