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Accretion powered X-ray pulsars
464
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1983
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X‑ray pulsar theory is evaluated by comparing 14 systems across six orders of magnitude, revealing that lower‑luminosity sources exhibit a less abrupt high‑energy cutoff and that spectral hardening regions, such as those seen in Her X‑1, likely trace the magnetic axis through the observer’s line of sight. The study presents detailed pulse‑phase spectroscopy for five X‑ray pulsars. Reanalysis of 4U 0115+63 pulse‑phase spectra revealed electron cyclotron lines at 11.5 and 23 keV that switch from absorption at pulse peak to emission during interpulse, while the beaming of Her X‑1 is best explained by a simple pencil‑beam configuration. Published in The Astrophysical Journal (July 1983, DOI 10.1086/161162) with keywords including binary stars, pulsars, cyclotron radiation, and pencil beams.
view Abstract Citations (595) References (94) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Accretion powered X-ray pulsars. White, N. E. ; Swank, J. H. ; Holt, S. S. Abstract The current theoretical understanding of the properties of X-ray pulsars is assessed through a comparison with unified descriptions of 14 such systems, extending over six orders of magnitude in luminosity, in whose phase averaged spectra the only notable trend is a less abrupt high energy cutoff in the lower luminosity systems. Detailed pulse phase spectroscopy is given for five of the systems. A reexamination of the pulse phase spectra of 4U 0115 + 63 has uncovered electron cyclotron lines at 11.5 and 23 keV that appear to be in absorption at pulse peak and in emission during an interpulse. Spectral hardening regions such as those from Her X-1 are a common feature in the low energy pulse of many pulsars, and may represent the passage of the magnetic axis through the observer's line of sight. Attention is given to the nature of the beaming from Her X-1, and it is concluded that a pencil beam configuration represents the simplest explanation of the overall properties of the pulse. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: July 1983 DOI: 10.1086/161162 Bibcode: 1983ApJ...270..711W Keywords: Binary Stars; Pulsars; Stellar Mass Accretion; X Ray Sources; Cyclotron Radiation; Energy Spectra; Light Curve; Pencil Beams; Stellar Luminosity; Astrophysics full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (14)