The IXPE View of Neutron Star Low-Mass X-ray Binaries
Francesco Ursini, Andrea Gnarini, Fiamma Capitanio, Anna Bobrikova,, Massimo Cocchi, Alessandro Di Marco, Sergio Fabiani, Ruben Farinelli, Fabio, La Monaca, John Rankin, Mary Lynne Saade, Juri Poutanen
TL;DR
This paper reviews recent IXPE observations of neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries, highlighting their significant X-ray polarization and offering new insights into their accretion flow geometry and physical properties.
Contribution
It provides the first comprehensive summary of IXPE's polarization measurements of NS-LMXBs and discusses emerging trends and physical interpretations.
Findings
Most NS-LMXBs are significantly polarized in X-rays
IXPE observations reveal insights into accretion flow geometry
Emerging trends within source classes are identified
Abstract
Low-mass X-ray binaries hosting weakly magnetized neutron stars (NS-LMXBs) are among the brightest sources in the X-ray sky. Since 2021, the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) has provided new measurements of the X-ray polarization of these sources. IXPE observations have revealed that most NS-LMXBs are significantly polarized in the X-rays, providing unprecedented insight into the geometry of their accretion flow. In this review paper, we summarize the first results obtained by IXPE on NS-LMXBs, the emerging trends within each class of sources (atoll/Z), and possible physical interpretations.
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Taxonomy
TopicsAstrophysical Phenomena and Observations · Scientific Measurement and Uncertainty Evaluation · Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation