Population Synthesis for the Symbiotic Stars with Main-sequence Accretors

Using a population synthesis code, we have investigated the formation of symbiotic systems in which the hot component is a main-sequence star that is accreting matter from the cool component via Roche lobe overflow （RLOF）. The RLOF can be divided into two cases： dynamically unstable and stable. In the first case, the birthrate of symbiotic stars is 0.056 yr^- 1 or 0.045 yr^-1 depending on different assumptions; in the stable RLOF case, it is 0.002 yr^-1 or 0.005yr^-1. The number of symbiotic stars with main-sequence accretors and unstable RLOF in our galaxy is about 5, that with stable RLOF is about 60 to 280. Comparison between our results with those of Yungelson et al. shows that symbiotic stars with MS accretors make only a small contribution （ ≤ 8%） to the whole population of symbiotic stars in the Galaxy.

A truncated accretion disk in the galactic black hole candidate source H1743–322

To investigate the geometry of the accretion disk in the source H1743-322, we have carried out a detailed X-ray temporal and spectral study using RXTE pointed observations. We have selected all data pertaining to the Steep Power Law （SPL） state during the 2003 outburst of this source. We find anti-correlated hard X-ray lags in three of the observations and the changes in the spectral and timing parameters （like the QPO frequency） confirm the idea of a truncated accretion disk in this source, Compiling data from similar observations of other sources, we find a correlation between the fractional change in the QPO frequency and the observed delay. We suggest that these observations indicate a definite size scale in the inner accretion disk （the radius of the truncated disk） and we explain the observed correlation using various disk parameters like Compton cooling time scale, viscous time scale etc..

Launching jets from accretion belts

We propose that sub-Keplerian accretion belts around stars might launch jets. The sub-Keplerian inflow does not form a rotationally supported accretion disk, but it rather reaches the accreting object from a wide solid angle. The basic ingredients of the flow are a turbulent region where the accretion belt interacts with the accreting object via a shear layer, and two avoidance regions on the poles where the accretion rate is very low. A dynamo that is developed in the shear layer amplifies magnetic fields to high values. It is likely that the amplified magnetic fields form polar outflows from the avoidance regions. Our speculative belt-launched jets model has implications on a rich variety of astrophysical objects, from the removal of common envelopes to the explosion of core collapse supernovae by jittering jets.

Simultaneous observations of a pair of kilohertz QPOs and a plausible 1860Hz QPO from an accreting neutron star system

We report an indication （3.22 or） of ≈ 1860 Hz quasi-periodic oscillations from a neutron star low-mass X-ray binary 4U 1636-536. If confirmed, this will be by far the highest frequency feature observed from an accreting neutron star system, and hence could be very useful in understanding such systems. This plausible timing feature was observed simultaneously with lower （≈ 585 Hz） and upper （≈ 904 Hz） kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations. The two kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillation frequencies had a ratio of ≈ 1.5, and the frequency of the alleged ≈ 1860 Hz feature was close to the triple and the double values of these frequencies. This can be useful for constraining the models of all the three features. In particular, the ≈ 1860Hz feature could be （1） from a new and heretofore unknown class of quasi-periodic oscillations, or （2） the first observed overtone of lower or upper kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations. Finally, we note that, although the relatively low significance of the ≈ 1860 Hz feature argues for caution, even a 3.22 σ feature at such a uniquely high frequency should be interesting enough to spur a systematic search in the archival data, as well as to scientifically motivate sufficiently large timing instruments for the next generation X-ray missions.

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.