Low-Mass X-ray Binary Populations

TL;DR

This paper reviews the study of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs), highlighting recent discoveries in elliptical galaxies and discussing open questions about their origins, evolution, and dependence on stellar environments.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of LMXB populations, emphasizing new insights gained from Chandra observations in elliptical galaxies and identifying key open research questions.

Findings

Discovery of multiple LMXB populations in elliptical galaxies

Insights into the origin and evolution of LMXBs

Dependence of LMXB properties on stellar environments

Abstract

Low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) have been studied in the Galaxy since the beginning of X-ray astronomy. A lot has been learned about these bright X-ray sources, but significant questions are still open. These questions are related to the origin and evolution of LMXBs, dynamical evolution in globular clusters (GC) or evolution of native field binaries, and on how their properties may depend on those of the parent stellar population. The discovery of several populations LMXB populations in elliptical galaxies with Chandra gives us tools to look at these sources in a new way.