Pulse period evolution of GX 1+4

TL;DR

This paper studies the long-term spin period changes of the X-ray pulsar GX 1+4 over four decades, analyzing observational data and comparing it with a quasi-spherical accretion model to understand its evolution.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive long-term analysis of GX 1+4's spin period evolution and interprets the results within a quasi-spherical accretion framework.

Findings

GX 1+4 transitioned from spin-up to spin-down in the 1980s.

The spin period increased from ~110 s to ~160 s over three decades.

The current spin-down trend is stronger than ever.

Abstract

We report on the long-term evolution of the spin period of the symbiotic X-ray pulsar GX 1+4 and a possible interpretation within a model of quasi-spherical accretion. New period measurements from BeppoSAX/WFC, INTEGRAL/ISGRI and Fermi/GBM observations have been combined with previously published data from four decades of observations. During the 1970's GX 1+4 was spinning up with the fastest rate among the known X-ray pulsars at the time. In the mid 1980's it underwent a change during a period of low X-ray flux and started to spin down with a rate similar in magnitude to the previous spin up rate. The spin period has changed from ~110 s to ~160 s within the last three decades. Our results demonstrate that the overall spin down trend continues and is stronger than ever. We compare the observations with predictions from a model assuming quasi-spherical accretion from the slow wind of the M giant companion.