First photometric study of ultrashort-period contact binary 1SWASP J140533.33＋114639.1

In this paper,CCD photometric light curves for the short-period eclipsing binary 1 SWASP J140533.33＋114639.1（hereafter J1405） in the BV R bands are presented and analyzed using the 2013 version of the Wilson-Devinney（W-D） code. It is discovered that J1405 is a W-subtype shallow contact binary with a contact degree of f = 7.9±0.5% and a mass ratio of q = 1.55±0.02. In order to explain the asymmetric light curves of the system,a cool starspot on the more massive component is employed. This shallow contact eclipsing binary may have been formed from a short-period detached system through orbital shrinkage due to angular momentum loss. Based on the（O-C） method,the variation of orbital period is studied using all the available times of minimum light. The（O-C） diagram reveals that the period is increasing continuously at a rate of d P/dt = ＋2.09×10^-7 d yr^-1,which can be explained by mass transfer from the less massive component to the more massive one.

Structural, mechanical, and electronic properties of 25 kinds of Ⅲ–Ⅴbinary monolayers: A computational study with first-principles calculation

Using first-principle calculations,we investigate the mechanical,structural,and electronic properties and formation energy of 25 kinds ofⅢ-Ⅴ binary monolayers in detail.A relative radius of the binary compound according to the atomic number in the periodic table is defined,and based on the definition,the 25 kinds ofⅢ-Ⅴ binary compounds are exactly located at a symmetric position in a symmetric matrix.The mechanical properties and band gaps are found to be very dependent on relative radius,while the effective mass of holes and electrons are found to be less dependent.A linear function between Young’s modulus and formation energy is fitted with a linear relation in this paper.The change regularity of physical properties of B-Ⅴ(Ⅴ=P,As,Sb,Bi)andⅢ-N(Ⅲ=Al,Ga,In,Tl)are found to be very different from those of otherⅢ-Ⅴ binary compounds.

New CCD photometric investigation of the early-type overcontact binary BH Cen in the young star-forming Galactic cluster IC 2944

BH Cen is a short-period early-type binary with a period of 0.792^d in the extremely young star-forming cluster IC 2944. New multi-color CCD photometric light curves in U, B, V, R and I bands are presented and are analyzed by using the Wilson-Devinney code. It is detected that BH Cen is a high-mass-ratio overcontact binary with a fill-out factor of 46.4% and a mass ratio of 0.89. The derived orbital inclination i is 88.9 degrees, indicating that it is a totally eclipsing binary and the photometric parameters can be determined reliably. By adding new eclipse times, the orbital period changes in the binary are analyzed. It is confirmed that the period of BH Cen shows a long-term increase while it undergoes a cyclic oscillation with an amplitude of A3 = 0.024 d and a period of P3 = 50.3 yr. The high mass ratio, overcontact configuration and long-term continuous increase in the orbital period all suggest that BH Cen is in the evolutionary state after the shortest-period stage of Case A mass transfer.The continuous increase in period can be explained by mass transfer from the secondary component to the primary one at a rate of˙M2 = 2.8×10^-6 M⊙per year. The cyclic change can be plausibly explained by the presence of a third body because both components in the BH Cen system are early-type stars. Its mass is determined to be no less than 2.2 M⊙ at an orbital separation of about 32.5 AU. Since no third light was found during the photometric solution, it is possible that the third body may be a candidate for a compact object.

The W UMa binaries USNO-A2.0 1350-17365531,V471 Cas,V479 Lac and V560 Lac:light curve solutions and global parameters based on Gaia distances

We present photometric observations in Sloan filters g′, i′of the eclipsing W UMa stars USNOA2.0 1350-17365531, V471 Cas, V479 Lac and V560 Lac. The sinusoidal-like O-C diagram of V471 Cas indicates the presence of a third body with mass 0.12 M_⊙(a red dwarf) at distance 897 R_⊙. The O-C diagram of V479 Lac reveals a period decrease of d P/dt =-1.69 × 10-6d yr-1. The results of the light curve solutions are:(i) the targets are overcontact binaries with small fill-out factors;(ii) their components are F–K stars, comparable in size, whose temperature differences are below 80 K;(iii) all targets undergo partial eclipses and to limit the possible mass ratios we carried out two-step q-search analysis. The target global parameters(luminosities, radii, masses) were obtained on the basis of their Gaia distances and the results of our light curve solutions. The obtained total mass of V560 Lac turns out to be smaller than the lower mass limit for presently known W UMa binaries of 1.0-1.2 M_⊙, i.e. this target is a peculiar overcontact system.

Investigations into the thermal non-equilibrium of W UMa-type contact binaries

Traditionally, some physical details（e.g., magnetic braking, energy transfer, angular momentum loss, etc.） have to be taken into consideration during investigations into the evolution of contact binaries. However, the real evolutionary processes which usually contain several of these physical mechanisms are very complicated as a result of strong interaction between components. To avoid dealing with these factors, a linear relationship is applied to the temperatures of components. It is found that the higher the mass ratio（M2/M1） of a contact system, the weaker the deviation from thermal equilibrium.On this basis, a variation trend of fill-out factor（f） changing with mass ratio can be inferred, which is consistent with observations. Moreover, if we stick to this point of view, it should be natural that the number of semi-detached binaries in the predicted broken-contact phase of relaxation oscillations is less than the number in the contact phase.

A Photometric Study of the W UMa-Type Contact Binary RZ Com

We present results of CCD photometric observations of the short-period W UMatype contact binary system, RZ Com. The light curve of the binary has changed from Wsubtype to A-subtype from 1998 to 2003, then back to W-subtype in 2004. An analysis was carried out using the 2003 version of the Wilson-Devinney code. It is confirmed that RZ Com is a low-degree, overcontact f = 20.1% （±7.4%） binary system with a high inclination of i = 81.°40 （＋0.°40）, and a mass ratio q = 2.351 （＋0.031）. Combining four newly determined times of light minimum with others in the literature, the variations in orbital period is examined. A small-amplitude oscillation （A=0.0065d）, with a period of 41.5 year, is discovered superimposed on a long-term increase at rate dP/dt = ＋3.97 × 10^-8d yr^-1. The period oscillation can be explained either by the light-time effect due to the presence of an unseen third body, or by cycles of magnetic activity on the components. Combining our photometric solution with the spectroscopic elements obtained by Mclean ＆ Hilditch, the absolute dimensions ofRZ Com are： M1 = 1.14 （±0.19）M⊙, M2 = 0.50 （±0.09）M⊙, R1 = 1.12 （±0.01）R⊙, R2 = 0.78 （＋0.01）R⊙ and A = 2.41 （±0.02）R⊙.

An orbital period investigation of the Algol-type eclipsing binary VW Hydrae

Orbital period variations of the Algol-type eclipsing binary, VW Hydrae, are analyzed based on one newly determined eclipse time and the other times of light minima collected from the literature. It is discovered that the orbital period shows a continuous increase at a rate ofdP/dt = ＋6.34 × 10^-7 d yr^-1 while it undergoes a cyclic change with an amplitude of 0.0639 d and a period of 51.5 yr. After the long-term period increase and the large-amplitude period oscillation were subtracted from the O-C curve, the residuals of the photoelectric and CCD data indicate a small-amplitude cyclic variation with a period of 8.75 yr and a small amplitude of 0.0048 d. The continuous period increase indicates a conservative mass transfer at a rate of dM2/dt = 7.89 × 10^-8 M⊙ yr^-1 from the secondary to the primary. The period increase may be caused by a combination of the mass transfer from the secondary to the primary and the angular momentum transfer from the binary system to the circumbinary disk. The two cyclic period oscillations can be explained by light-travel time effects via the presence of additional bodies. The small-amplitude periodic change indicates the existence of a less massive component with mass M3 〉 0.53 M⊙, while the large-amplitude one is caused by the presence of a more massive component with mass M4 〉 2.84M⊙. The ultraviolet source in the system reported by Kviz ＆ Rufener （1987） may be one of the additional components, and it is possible that the more massive one may be an unseen neutron star or black hole. The rapid period increase and the possibility of the presence of two additional components in the binary make it a very interesting system to study. New photometric and high-resolution spectroscopic observations and a detailed investigation of those data are required in the future.

A striking confluence between theory and observations of high-mass X-ray binary pulsars

We analyze the most powerful X-ray outbursts from neutron stars in eleven Magellanic high-mass X-ray binaries and three pulsating ultraluminous X-ray sources. Most of the outbursts rise to Lmax which is about the level of the Eddington luminosity, while the remaining more powerful outbursts also appear to recognize that limit when their emissions are assumed to be anisotropic and beamed toward our direction. We use the measurements of pulsar spin periods Ps and their derivatives Ps to calculate the X-ray luminosities Lp in their faintest accreting （＂propeller-line＂） states. In five cases with unknown Ps, we use the lowest observed X-ray luminosities, which only adds to the heterogeneity of the sample. Then we calculate the ratios Lp/Lmax and we obtain an outstanding confluence of theory and observations from which we conclude that work done on both fronts is accurate and the results are trustworthy： sources known to reside on the lowest Magellanic propeller line are all located on/near that line, whereas other sources jump higher and reach higher-lying propeller lines. These jumps can be interpreted in only one way, higher-lying pulsars have stronger surface magnetic fields in agreement with previous empirical results in which Ps and Lp values were not used.

Possible modulated γ-ray emission from the transitional millisecond pulsar binary PSR J1023+0038

We report the results from our analysis of Fermi Large Area Telescope （LAT） data for the transitional millisecond pulsar binary PSR J1023＋0038. The time period of the data is nearly 9 yr, and that after the source＇s transition, in June 2013 from the disk-free state to the active state of having an accretion disk, is approximately 4 yr. We identify a high-energy 〉5.5 GeV component in the source＇s spectrum in the active state, and find this component is only significantly detected in half of the orbital phase centered at the descending node （when the pulsar is moving towards the Earth）. Considering the pulsar scenario proposed for multi-frequency emission from the source, in which the pulsar is still active and a cold-relativistic pulsar wind inverse-Compton scatters the photons from the accretion disk, we discuss the origin of the high-energy component. In order to explain the observed spectrum, a power-law distribution of particles, with an index of ~3, in the pulsar wind is required, while the orbital variations are possibly due to changes in power-law index as a function of orbital phase.

Searching forγ-ray counterparts to very faint X-ray transient neutron star binaries

Very faint X-ray transients （VFXTs） are a group of X-ray binaries with low luminosities, displaying peak X-ray luminosities during their outbursts of only 1034-1036 erg s^-1. Using γ-ray data obtained with the Large Area Telescope （LAT） onboard the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope （Fermi）, we investigate their possible nature of containing rotation-powered pulsars, or more specifically being transitional millisecond pulsars （MSPs）. Among more than 40 known VFXTs, we select 12 neutron star systems. We analyze the LAT data for the fields of 12 VFXTs in the energy range 0.2-300GeV, but do not find any counterparts likely detected by Fermi. We obtain luminosity upper limits for the 12 sources. While the distances to the sources are largely uncertain, the upper limits are comparable to the luminosities of two transitional systems, PSR J1023-0038 and XSS J12270-4859. From our study, we conclude that no evidence is found at γ-rays for the suggestion that some VFXTs could contain rotation-powered MSPs （or be transitional MSP systems）.

Two particular EA-type binaries in the globular cluster ω Centauri

We analyzed the B and V light curves of two EA-type binaries V211 and NV358 for the first time using the Wilson-Devinney code. Our analysis shows that V211 is a typical Algol-type binary and NV358 is a well detached binary system. As the two binaries are definite members of ω Centauri due to their proper motion, we estimated their physical parameters, obtaining M1 = 1.13 4±0.03 M⊙, R1 = 0.98±0.01 R⊙, M2 = 0.33 ±0.01 M⊙ and R2 = 0.92 ±0.01 R⊙ forV211; M1 = 1.304-0.05 M⊙, R1 = 1.03±0.01 R⊙, M2 = 0.58±0.02 M⊙ and R2 = 0.78±0.01 R⊙ for NV358. On the color-magnitude diagram of ω Centauri, V211 is located in the faint blue straggler region and its primary component is more massive than a star at the main-sequence turnoff. Therefore, V211 is a blue straggler and was formed by mass transfer from the secondary component to the primary. The age of NV358 is less than 1.93 Gyr, indicating that it is much younger than the first generation of stars in ω Centaufi. Like NV364 in ω Centaufi, NV358 should be a second-generation binary.

Near-infrared observations of the Be/X-ray binary pulsar A0535+262

We present the results obtained from extensive near-infrared （IR） spectro- scopic and photometric observations of the Be/X-ray binary A0535＋262/HDE 245770 at different phases of its - 111 d orbital period. This observation campaign is part of the monitoring program of selective Be/X-ray binary systems aimed at understanding X-ray and near-IR properties at different orbital phases, especially during the perias- tron passage of the neutron star. The near-IR observations presented here were carried out using the 1.2 m telescope at the Mt. Abu IR Observatory. Though the source was relatively faint for spectroscopic observations with the 1.2 m telescope, we monitored the source closely during the 2011 February-March giant X-ray outburst to primarily investigate whether any drastic changes in the near-IR JHK spectra took place at the periastron passage. Changes of such a striking nature were expected to be detectable in our spectra. Photometric observations of the Be star show a gradual and systematic fading in the JHK light curves since the onset of the X-ray outburst, which could suggest a mild evacuation/truncation of the circumstellar disk of the Be companion. Near-IR spectroscopy of the object shows that the JHK spectra are dominated by the emission lines of hydrogen Brackett and Paschen series and HeI lines at 1.0830, 1.7002 and 2.0585 μm. The presence of all the hydrogen emission lines in the JHK spectra, along with the absence of any significant change in the continuum of the Be companion during X-ray quiescent and X-ray outburst phases, suggests that the near- IR line emitting regions of the disk are not significantly affected during the X-ray outburst.

Magnetic interaction in ultra-compact binary systems

This article reviews the current works on ultra-compact double-degenerate binaries in the presence of magnetic interaction, in particular, unipolar induction. The orbital dynamics and evolution of compact white-dwarf pairs are discussed in detail. Models and predictions of electron cyclotron masers from unipolar-inductor compact binaries and unipolar-inductor white-dwarf planetary systems are presented. Einstein-Laub effects in compact binaries are briefly discussed.

Four New Eclipsing Binary Systems in the TESS field:CD-3413220,HD 295082,TYC 6484–426–1 and TYC 6527–2310–1

We present the first evidence for the binarity of four targets in the TESS field.The temperatures are estimated by SED analysis and the orbital periods are determined.The TESS light curves of the systems are analyzed and the orbital and the absolute parameters are derived.The targets are also compared to wellstudied binary systems with the same morphological type and their evolutionary states are discussed.Our results indicate that the stars belong to the class of eclipsing detached binary systems.

TZ Lyrae:an Algol-type Eclipsing Binary with Mass Transfer

We present a detailed investigation of the Algol-type binary TZ Lyrae, based on 55 light minimum timings spanning 90 years. It is found that the orbital period shows a long-term increase with a cyclic variation superimposed. The rate of the secular increase is dP/dt = ＋7.18 × 10^-8d yr^-1, indicating that a mass transfer from the less massive component to the more massive one at a rate of dra = ＋2.21 × 10^-8M⊙ yr^-1. The cyclic component, with a period of P3 = 45.5 yr and an amplitude of A = 0.^d0040, may be interpreted as either the light-time effect in the presence of a third body or magnetic activity cycles in the components. Using the latest version Wilson-Devinney code, a revised photometric solution was deduced from B and V observations. The results show that TZ Lyr is an Algol-type eclipsing binary with a mass ratio of q = 0.297±0.003）. The semidetached configuration with a lobe-filling secondary suggests a mass transfer from the secondary to the primary, which is in agreement with the long-term period increase of the binary system.

Quark-novae in neutron star - white dwarf binaries: a model for luminous (spin-down powered) sub-Chandrasekhar-mass Type Ia supernovae?

We show that, by appealing to a Quark-Nova （QN） in a tight binary system containing a massive neutron star and a CO white dwarf （WD）, a Type Ia explosion could occur. The QN ejecta collides with the WD, driving a shock that triggers carbon burning under degenerate conditions （the QN-Ia）. The conditions in the compressed low-mass WD （MwD 〈 0.9 M） in our model mimic those of a Chandrasekhar mass WD. The spin-down luminosity from the QN compact remnant （the quark star） pro- vides additional power that makes the QN-Ia light-curve brighter and broader than a standard SN-Ia with similar 56Ni yield. In QNe-Ia, photometry and spectroscopy are not necessarily linked since the kinetic energy of the ejecta has a contribution from spin-down power and nuclear decay. Although QNe-Ia may not obey the Phillips relationship, their brightness and their relatively ＂normal looking＂ light-curves mean they could be included in the cosmological sample. Light-curve fitters would be con- fused by the discrepancy between spectroscopy at peak and photometry and would correct for it by effectively brightening or dimming the QNe-Ia apparent magnitudes, thus over- or under-estimating the true magnitude of these spin-down powered SNe-Ia. Contamination of QNe-Ia in samples of SNe-Ia used for cosmological analyses could systematically bias measurements of cosmological parameters if QNe-Ia are numerous enough at high-redshift. The strong mixing induced by spin-down wind combined with the low 56Ni yields in QNe-Ia means that these would lack a secondary maximum in the/-band despite their luminous nature. We discuss possible QNe-Ia progenitors.

A Photometric Study of the W UMa-type Eclipsing Binary System GSC 0445-1993

Several new light minimum times for the eclipsing binary GSC 0445-1993 have been determined from the observations by Koppelman et al. and the orbital period of this system was revised. A photometric analysis was carried out using the 2003 version of the Wilson-Devinney code. The results reveal that GSC 0445-1993 is a W-type eclipsing binary with a mass ratio of q = 0.323(±0.002) and an over-contact degree of f = 22.8%(±4.2%). A small temperature difference between the components of △T = 135 K and an orbital inclination of i = 65.7°(±0.3°) were obtained. The asymmetry of its light curve (i.e., the O'Connell effect) for this binary star is explained by the presence of a dark spot on the more massive component.

Influence of the Choice of Core-Envelope Transition Point on the Binary Merger of Two Main-sequence Components

We have studied the influence of different choices of core-envelope transition point on the final merger of contact binaries with two main-sequence components. A binary of 1.00 + 0.90M⊙ with an initial orbital period of 0.35d is examined. The mass fraction of the primary mixed with the matter of the secondary, qmix, determined by the chosen core-envelope transition point, ranges from 0.04 to 1.00 in our analysis. If as qmix< 0.8, none of the helium-rich matter in the center of the primary is mixed into the envelope, and there is little distinction in the evolutionary tracks of the mergers. The timescales of the mergers remaining on the main sequence, tBS are very similar (-6.2×108yr) if qmix< 0.71, since no hydrogen-rich matter of the secondary is mixed into the core of the mergers; for qmix > 0.71, the larger qmix is, the greater the mixing, hence the longer the blue straggler lifetime, tBS, and also the greater the luminosity. For qmix= 1.00, tBS -8.5×108yr. Estimation by (?)r - (?)a = 0.0 shows that the point at which tBS begins to increase is about qmix= 0.68. In comparison with the homogeneously mixed models, the merger with a helium profile similar to that of the primary is less luminous and has a shorter tBS.

On the Period Variation of the W UMa-type Contact Binary V502 Ophiuchi

The variation in the orbital period of the W UMa type contact binary V502 Oph is analyzed. The orbital period exhibits a wavelike variation with a periodicity of 23.0 years and an amplitude of AP = 1.24 ×10^-5 days superimposed on secular decrease of dP/dt = 1.68× 10^-7 day per year. The long-term decrease may be accompanied by the contraction of the secondary at a rate of 83 m per year and a mass transfer rate from the primary to the secondary of 4.28×10^-8M· per year. The short-term oscillation may be explained by the presence of a third component. Orbital elements of the third body and its possible mass are presented.

Jet-dominated quiescent state in black hole X-ray binaries: the cases of A0620–00 and XTE J1118+480

The radiative mechanism of black hole X-ray transients （BHXTs） in their quiescent states （defined as the 2-10 keV X-ray luminosity ≤ 10^34 erg s-1） remains unclear. In this work, we investigate the quasi-simultaneous quiescent state spectrum （including radio, infrared, optical, ultraviolet and X-ray） of two BHXTs, A0620-00 and XTE J1118＋480. We find that these two sources can be well described by a coupled accretion - jet model. More specifically, most of the emission （radio up to infrared, and the X-ray waveband） comes from the collimated relativistic jet. Emission from hot accretion flow is totally insignificant, and it can only be observed in mid-infrared （the synchrotron peak）. Emission from the outer cold disk is only evident in the UV band. These results are consistent with our previous investigation on the quiescent state of V404 Cyg and confirm that the quiescent state is jet-dominated.