Population synthesis of ultraluminous X-ray sources with magnetised neutron stars

TL;DR

This paper models the population of ultraluminous X-ray sources with magnetised neutron stars in a Milky Way-like galaxy, explaining observed properties through accretion physics without extra assumptions on emission collimation.

Contribution

It introduces a hybrid modeling approach combining binary evolution and accretion physics to explain NULX characteristics quantitatively.

Findings

Super-Eddington luminosities achieved at subcritical accretion stages.

Standard binary evolution models can explain NULX properties without collimation assumptions.

Several NULX can exist in a galaxy with typical star formation rates.

Abstract

A model of population of ultraluminous X-ray sources with magnetised neutron stars (NULX) in a spiral galaxy with the star formation history similar to that in the thin disc of Milky Way is computed using a hybrid approach. First, applying analytical approximations (code BSE) we construct the ensemble of close binaries (CBS) which can be potential precursors of NULX. Next, evolution with accretion onto magnetised neutron stars (NS) is computed by the evolutionary code MESA. Accretion rate onto NS and X-ray luminosity are calculated for the models of sub- and supercritical discs and for the discs with advection. During accretion onto magnetised NS, super-Eddington luminosity $L_\mathrm{X}>10^{38}$ erg~s$^{-1}$ is attained already at the subcritical stage, when the energy release at the inner boundary of the disc defined by the NS magnetosphere is sub-Eddington. It is shown that standard evolution of CBS with an account of the peculiarities specific for accretion onto magnetised NS allows us to explain quantitatively observed characteristics of NULX (X-ray luminosities, NS spin periods, orbital periods and masses of visual components) without additional model assumptions on the collimation of X-ray emission from NS with high observed super-Eddington luminosity. In a model galaxy with star formation rate 3--5 $M_\odot {\rm yr^{-1}}$ there can exist several NULX. Discovery of a powerful wind from NULX with $L_{\mathrm X} \sim 10^{41}$ erg~s$^{-1}$ would be a signature of super-Eddington accretion onto magnetised NS.