Evolution of low-mass X-ray binaries:dependence on the massof the compact object

We perform numerical calculations to simulate the evolution of low-mass X-ray binary systems. For the accreting compact object we consider the initial mass of 1.4, 10, 20, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 Mo, corresponding to neutron stars （NSs）, stellar- mass black holes （BHs） and intermediate-mass BHs. Mass transfer in these binaries is driven by nuclear evolution of the donors and/or orbital angular momentum loss due to magnetic braking and gravitational wave radiation. For the different systems, we determine their bifurcation periods Pbif that separate the formation of converging systems from the diverging ones, and show that Pbif changes from ~ 1 d to ≥ 3 d for a 1 Mo donor star, with increasing initial accretor mass from 1.4 to 1000 Mo. This means that the dominant mechanism of orbital angular momentum loss changes from magnetic braking to gravitational radiation. As an illustration we compare the evolution of binaries consisting of a secondary star of 1 Mo at a fixed initial period of 2 d. In the case of the NS or stellar-mass BH accretor, the system evolves to a well-detached He white dwarf-neutron star/black hole pair, but it evolves to an ultra- compact binary if the compact object is an intermediate-mass BH. Thus the binary evolution heavily depends upon the mass of the compact object. However, we show that the final orbital period-white dwarf mass relation found for NS low-mass X-ray binaries is fairly insensitive to the initial mass of the accreting star, even if it is an intermediate-mass BH.

Mass Transfer in Binary Stellar Evolution and Its Stability

The evolution of a binary star system by various analytical and numerical approximations of mass transfer rate normalized to the equilibrium rate and its stability conditions are investigated. We present results from investigations of mass transfer and stability in close binary star systems using the different orbital parameters. The stability and instability of mass transfer in binary star evolution depends on the exchange of material which the response of the binary to the initial Roche lobe overflow causes the donor to loose even more material. Our work is mainly focused on basic mathematical derivations, analytical and numerical solutions in order to explain the mass transfer system in different orbital parameters as well as the results are compared with previous studies in both cases. Mass transfer is usually stable, as long as the winds specific angular momentum does not exceed the angular momentum per reduced mass of the system. This holds for both dynamical and thermal time scales. Those systems which are not stable will usually transfer mass on the thermal time scale. The variation of Roche lobe radius with mass ratio in the binary, for various orbital parameters in the conservative and non-conservative mass transfer, as well as the evolution equations, orbital angular momentum of the binary system and the corresponding analytical and numerical solutions for different cases, under certain restrictive approximations is derived, simulated and discussed.

Influence of Supernova SN Ia Rate and the Early Star Formation Rate on the Galactic Chemical Evolution

Based on the recently developed numerical approach to understand the formation and the chemical evolution of the milky-way galaxy in the solar neighborhood we study the influence of the supernova type SN Ia rates on the galactic chemical evolution. Supernova SN Ia plays an important role in producing the iron inventory of the galaxy. We also study the dependence of the chemical evolution on the star formation rate prevailing during the initial one billion years of the evolution of the galaxy. This era marks the formation of the galactic halo and the thick disk. A comparison of the elemental abundance distributions of the dwarf stars in the solar neighborhood is made among the various models simulated in the present work. In order to explain the majority of the observed elemental evolutionary trends, specifically those related with the galactic evolution of iron and oxygen, it would be essential to incorporate a major component of prompt SN Ia to the galactic evolution. The prompt SN Ia would produce significant fraction of SN Ia within the initial ~100 million years from the time of star formation. The essential requirement of prompt SN Ia would result in a significant enhancement of SN Ia rates during the earliest epoch of the galaxy. The elemental evolutionary trends also favor an enhancement in the star formation rate during the initial one billion years of the galaxy at least by a factor of three compared to the trend prevailing during the latter evolutionary time of the galaxy.

Population synthesis of high mass X-ray binaries

By simulating the evolution of spin periods of magnetized neutron stars which interact with their environment in binary systems,we investigate the Galactic population of high mass X-ray binaries（HMXBs） .The number of HMXBs in the Galaxy is between 190 and 240,and their birthrate is from 5.9×10-5 yr-1 to 6.3× 10-5 yr-1.Comparing the Corbet diagram（the positions of the spin periods vs.the orbital periods of HMXBs） in our model with the associated observations,we find that the stellar wind structure and the process of matter transfer are very important for understanding HMXBs.

Case Study on the γ-algorithm: Possible Tests from the Luminosity versus Displacement Correlation of High Mass X-Ray Binaries

Using the apparent correlation of luminosity(L;) versus displacement(R) of high mass X-ray binaries(HMXBs),we aim to constrain the common envelope(CE) mechanism, which is vital in the formation and evolution of compact binaries. We find that under the assumption of the γ-algorithm, the apparent correlation can also be reconstructed generally within a reasonable range of key parameters adopted, though the population of HMXBs is distinct with that in the canonical αCE-formalism. We compare the spatial distribution of HMXBs under the two CE mechanisms, and suggest the difference in L;versus R distribution may provide an additional clue for the study of the CE phase and to discriminate between CE models.

Populations of Bright X-ray Sources in the Starburst Galaxies NGC 4038/4039

Assuming a naive star formation history, we construct synthetic X-ray source populations, using a population synthesis code, for comparison with the observed X-ray luminosity function （XLF） of the interacting galaxies NGC 4038/4039. We have included highand intermediate-mass X-ray binaries, young rotation-powered pulsars and fallback disk-fed black holes in modeling the bright X-ray sources detected. We find that the majority of the X-ray sources are likely to be intermediate-mass X-ray binaries, but for typical binary evolu- tion parameters, the predicted XLF seems to be steeper than observed. We note that the shape of the XLFs depends critically on the existence of XLF break for young populations, and suggest super-Eddington accretion luminosities or the existence of intermediate-mass black holes to account for the high luminosity end and the slope of the XLF in NGC 4038/4039.

Absolute parameters of young stars:PU Pup

We present combined photometric and spectroscopic analyses of the southern binary star PU Pup.High-resolution spectra of this system were taken at the University of Canterbury Mt.John Observatory in the years 2008 and again in 2014-2015.We find the light contribution of the secondary component to be only 2%of the total light of the system in optical wavelengths,resulting in a single-lined spectroscopic binary.Recent TESS data revealed grazing eclipses within the light minima,though the tidal distortion,examined also from Hipparcos data,remains the predominating light curve effect.Our model shows PU Pup to have the more massive primary relatively close to filling its Roche lobe.PU Pup is thus approaching the rare‘fast phase’of interactive(Case B)evolution.Our adopted absolute parameters are as follows:M_(1)=4.10(±0.20)M_(⊙),M_(2)=0.65(±0.05)M_(⊙),R_(1)=6.60(±0.30)R_(⊙),R_(2)=0.90(±0.10)R_(⊙);T_(1)=11500(±500)K,T_(2)=5000(±350)K;photometric distance=186(±20)pc,age=170(±20)Myr.The less-massive secondary component is found to be significantly oversized and overluminous compared to standard main sequence models.We discuss this discrepancy referring to heating from the reflection effect.

Mira Symbiotic Stars

We have carried out a detailed study of Mira symbiotic stars by means of a population synthesis code. We estimate the number of Mira symbiotic stars in the Galaxy as 1700 - 3100 and the Galactic occurrence rate of Mira symbiotic novae as from -0.9 to 6.0 yr^-1, depending on the model assumptions. The distributions of the orbital periods, the masses of the components, mass-loss rates of cool components, mass-accretion rates of hot components and Mira pulsation periods in Mira symbiotic stars are simulated. By a comparison of the number ratio of Mira symbiotic stars to all symbiotic stars, we find the model with the stellar wind model of Winters et al. to be reasonable.

Binary Star Fractions from the LAMOST DR4

Stellar systems composed of single, double, triple or higher-order systems are rightfully regarded as the fundamental building blocks of the Milky Way. Binary stars play an important role in formation and evolution of the Galaxy. Through comparing the radial velocity variations from multiepoch observations, we analyze the binary fraction of dwarf stars observed with LAMOST. Effects of different model assumptions, such as orbital period distributions on the estimate of binary fractions,are investigated. The results based on log-normal distribution of orbital periods reproduce the previous complete analyses better than the power-law distribution. We find that the binary fraction increases with Teff and decreases with [Fe/H]. We first investigate the relation between α-elements and binary fraction in such a large sample as provided by LAMOST. The old stars with high [α/Fe] dominate with a higher binary fraction than young stars with low [α/Fe]. At the same mass, earlier forming stars possess a higher binary fraction than newly forming ones, which may be related with evolution of the Galaxy.

Formation and evolution of X-ray binaries

We review recent progress in theoretical understanding of X-ray binaries,which has largely been driven by new observations.We select several topics including formation of compact low-mass X-ray binaries,the evolutionary connection between low-mass X-ray binaries and binary and millisecond radio pulsars,and ultraluminous X-ray sources,to illustrate the interplay between theories and observations.

Spatially Resolved Properties of the GW170817 Host Galaxy

GW170817 is the unique gravitational-wave(GW)event associated with the electromagnetic(EM)counterpart GRB 170817A.NGC 4993 is identified as the host galaxy of GW170817/GRB 170817A.In this paper,we focus on the spatially resolved properties of NGC 4993.We present the photometric results from the comprehensive data analysis of the high spatial-resolution images in the different optical bands.The morphological analysis reveals that NGC 4993 is a typical early-type galaxy without significant remnants of a major galaxy merger.The spatially resolved stellar population properties of NGC 4993 suggest that the galaxy center has passive evolution with the outskirt formed by gas accretion.We derive the merging rate of the compact object per galaxy by a co-evolution scenario of a supermassive black hole and its host galaxy.If the galaxy formation is at redshift 1.0,the merging rate per galaxy is from 3.2×10^(-4)to 7.7×10^(-5)within the merging decay time from 1.0 to 5.0 Gyr.The results provide vital information for ongoing GW EM counterpart detections.The Hubble space telescope data analysis presented in this paper can be also applied to Chinese Space Station Telescope research in the future.

The Effect of Method of Constructing the Mass Distribution on Single Stellar Populations

We use two methods of constructing the initial mass distribution, the traditional way and Monte Carlo simulation, to obtain integrated U - B, B - V,V-R and V-I colours and absorption-line indices defined by the Lick Observatory image dissector scanner （referred to as Lick/IDS）, for instantaneous burst solarmetallicity single stellar populations with ages in the range 1-15Gyr. We find that the evolutionary curves of all colours obtained by the traditional method are smoother than those by Monte Carlo simulation, that the U- B and B- V colours obtained by the two methods agree with one another, while the V - R and V - I colours by the traditional method are bluer than those by Monte Carlo simulation.A comparison of the Lick/IDS absorption-line indices shows that the variations in all the indices by the traditional method are smoother than that for the Monte Carlo simulation, and that all the indices except for TiO1 and TiO2 are consistent with those for the Monte Carlo simulation.

The 6.7 keV Line Emission from the Stellar Flare of Algol

We present spectral analysis of Algol stellar flare data. The 2-day observation of Algol in our Galaxy was done by Suzaku Satellite. Algol binary system consists of two component stars that eclipse one another periodically. The stellar magnetic field activities and Roche Lobe overflow/mass transfer mechanisms during rapid rotation of the component stars generate an X-ray emission. The variation in brightness of the stellar flare from epoch to epoch provides useful information of stellar properties of the component stars. The atomic physics of the Kα line emission process in the vicinities of chromospherically active and X-ray flare stars, and binaries is well understood. The photo ionization/collisional excitation in the Algol’s corona produces 6.7 keV line emission. The accumulated spectra in X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (XIS) sensors fitted combined with bremsstrahlung model and Gaussian line show a strong fixed X-ray energy of 6.7 keV.

常见的恒星质量和恒星形成率计算方法之间的对比

针对斯隆数字巡天计划中有测光及光谱认证的正常星系的样本,利用天文多波段巡天数据,分别使用恒星质量和恒星形成率(SFR)的数种不同计算方法,从原理到结果进行相互对比。研究发现,不同的恒星质量估算方法的结果相互差异并不显著,然而SFR的不同方法之间存在不同程度且重要的误差。因此,在对星系间SFR进行相互比较,或是研究星系演化时的SFR分析时,应使用相类似的观测数据资料,以及同一种SFR估算方式,避免不同估算方式的偏差造成的错误解读。

钡星的形成机制(Ⅱ)Monte Carlo分析

本文对文章Ⅰ所建立的钡星形成的完备模型进行了ＭｏｎｔｅＣａｒｌｏ分析，并同观测结果作了比较．结果表明，大部分强钡星可能产生于星风吸积过程、星风暴露过程和稳定的洛希瓣物质交流过程，而大部分中等钡星可能产生于星风吸积过程和星风暴露过程．银河系中钡星的数量、轨道周期分布和质量函数分布在本文各种模型计算结果范围之内．模型还预言钡星轨道周期与污染因子相关．模型给出，银河系中钡星的诞生率为００２／年左右，亮于１０个星等的钡星大约有６０００颗，强钡星的平均质量为１８Ｍ⊙左右，而钡星的白矮星伴星平均质量为０６０Ｍ⊙．另外，结果还显示，星族ＩＡＧＢ星热脉动开始较早，星风有潮汐增强效应存在（Ｂ～５００），ｓ过程最大恒星质量为２Ｍ⊙左右．

钡星的形成机制(I)完备模型

本文系统地研究了钡星的形成，提出了钡星形成的四种机制：星风吸积、星风暴露、稳定的洛希瓣物质交流和公共包层的抛射。

双星对星族合成研究的重要性

观测显示星系中的大部分恒星是双星,因此星族合成研究必须考虑双星的作用。综述双星对星族合成研究的重要性。主要讨论了双星对早型星系和球状星团的能谱、谱指数、颜色、颜色-星等图、星系参数确定和恒星形成历史研究的影响。主要结论为双星有助于对星系和星团的光谱、颜色-星等图的解释,以及对星系和星团多个参数的准确确定。因此,双星是准确星族合成研究的必然要求。

简并双星的形成途径及其Monte-Carlo分析

本文系统地研究了简并双星的形成，提出了简并双星形成的三种形成途径：稳定的洛希瓣物质交流公共包层途径、公共包层公共包层途径、核暴露公共包层途径，并对简并双星的形成进行了ＭｏｎｔｅＣａｒｌｏ模拟，探讨了模型参量（潮汐星风增强系数、稳定的洛希瓣物质交流过程中物质转移效率、双星初始质量比分布、公共包层抛射效率）对结果的影响．本模型成功地解释了简并双星的形成，解释了简并双星的质量分布、质量比分布和周期分布，解释了简并双星的诞生率和Ｉａ型超新星的诞生率．本文主要结论如下：（１）稳定的洛希瓣物质交流－公共包层途径与公共包层－公共包层途径是简并双星形成的主要途径．（２）银河系中简并双星的诞生率为０．０３ｙｒ－１，以氦白矮星为主星（亮子星）的简并双星其诞生率为０．０１７ｙｒ－１．（３）银河系中可探测简并双星（冷却时间小于１０８年）数量为三百万，其中以氦白矮星为主星的简并双星占５６％．（４）对可探测简并双星而言，其周期分布的峰值为６小时．（５）简并双星０９５７６６６，１１０１＋３６４和Ｆｅｉｇｅ３６产生于稳定的洛希瓣物质交流公共包层途径，而简并双星０１３５０５２可能由两颗碳氧白矮星组成．（６）稳定的洛希瓣物质交流?

双星演化与大样本恒星演化

主要介绍大样本恒星演化所面临的困难、为解决困难所做的努力及对未来的展望．

大质量双星非守恒演化

主要讨论建立大质量双星非守恒演化理论中的一些重要问题。