PHYSICS SEMINAR
X-ray Binary Evolution: The Effects of Irradiation
Jérôme Quintin
Physics Department
Bishop's University
Thursday, February 14, 2013
4:00 p.m.
Hamilton 303
AbstractX-ray binary systems are composed of an ordinary star and a neutron star that are orbiting each other in very close proximity. The orbit is so tight that the neutron star (accretor) is cannibalizing the hydrogen gas from the atmosphere of the companion star (donor). An extensive grid of binary evolution tracks has been computed using the MESA code to study irradiated X-ray binary systems. Since the donor star loses some of its mass to the neutron star, an accretion disk is formed around the neutron star and X-rays are emitted. Some of this radiation is intercepted by the donor star and this in turn modifies its physical properties. A model that includes the geometry of the binary system and a Monte-Carlo simulation to determine the penetration depth of X-rays has been developed. Non-irradiated X-ray binaries have been well studied, but I will show in this talk how irradiation affects their evolution and their long-term secular average properties.
