Dynamical constraints on the neutron star mass in EXO 0748-676

TL;DR

This study uses spectroscopic data and Doppler tomography to constrain the masses of the neutron star and companion in EXO 0748-676, supporting the possibility of a massive neutron star.

Contribution

First dynamical mass constraints for EXO 0748-676 using emission line analysis and Doppler tomography.

Findings

Neutron star mass M_1 > 1.5 M_sun if companion is main sequence.

Donor star's radial velocity K_2 > 300 km/s.

Mass ratio q between 0.11 and 0.28.

Abstract

We present VLT intermediate resolution spectroscopy of UY Vol, the optical counterpart of the LMXB X-ray burster EXO 0748-676. By using Doppler tomography we detect narrow components within the broad He II 4542 A, 4686 A and 5412 A emission lines. The phase, velocity and narrowness of these lines are consistent with their arising from the irradiated hemisphere of the donor star, as has been observed in a number of LMXBs. Under this assumption we provide the first dynamical constraints on the stellar masses in this system. In particular, we measure K_2>K_em = 300 +/- 10 km/s. Using this value we derive 1 M_sun < M_1 < 2.4 M_sun and 0.11 < q < 0.28. We find M_1 > 1.5 M_sun for the case of a main sequence companion star. Our results are consistent with the presence of a massive neutron star as has been suggested by Ozel (2006), although we cannot discard the canonical value of ~1.4 M_sun.