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High mass X-ray binaries: Progenitors of double neutron star systems

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

In this review I briefly describe the nature of the three kinds of High-Mass X-ray Binaries (HMXBs), accreting through: (i) Be circumstellar disc, (ii) supergiant stellar wind, and (iii) Roche lobe filling supergiants. A previously unknown population of HMXBs hosting supergiant stars has been revealed in the last years, with multi-wavelength campaigns including high energy (INTEGRAL, Swift, XMM, Chandra) and optical/infrared (mainly ESO) observations. This population is divided between obscured supergiant HMXBs, and supergiant fast X-ray transients (SFXTs), characterized by short and intense X-ray flares. I discuss the characteristics of these types of supergiant HMXBs, propose a scenario describing the properties of these high-energy sources, and finally show how the observations can constrain the accretion models (e.g. clumpy winds, magneto-centrifugal barrier, transitory accretion disc, etc). Because they are the likely progenitors of Luminous Blue Variables (LBVs), and also of double neutron star systems, related to short/hard gamma-ray bursts, the knowledge of the formation and evolution of this HMXB population is of prime importance.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication14th Marcel Grossman Meeting On Recent Developments in Theoretical and Experimental General Relativity, Astrophysics and Relativistic Field Theories, Proceedings
EditorsMassimo Bianchi, Robert T Jantzen, Remo Ruffini, Remo Ruffini
PublisherWorld Scientific Publishing Co. Pte Ltd
Pages1883-1888
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9789813226593
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2018
Externally publishedYes
Event14th Marcel Grossman Meeting On Recent Developments in Theoretical and Experimental General Relativity, Astrophysics and Relativistic Field Theories - Rome, Italy
Duration: 12 Jul 201518 Jul 2015

Publication series

Name14th Marcel Grossman Meeting On Recent Developments in Theoretical and Experimental General Relativity, Astrophysics and Relativistic Field Theories, Proceedings

Conference

Conference14th Marcel Grossman Meeting On Recent Developments in Theoretical and Experimental General Relativity, Astrophysics and Relativistic Field Theories
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityRome
Period12/07/1518/07/15

Keywords

  • Black hole
  • Companion star
  • Neutron star
  • Supergiant
  • X-ray binaries

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