Numerical approach to compressible shallow-water dynamics of neutron-star spreading layers

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new 2D hydrodynamics simulation code for neutron-star spreading layers, revealing convective instabilities and oscillation modes that influence observable X-ray variability.

Contribution

The authors develop a novel numerical method for simulating neutron-star spreading layers on a spherical surface, capturing complex flow instabilities and variability modes.

Findings

Convective instability causes rapid latitudinal mixing.

Development of a rotating 'tennis ball' pattern affects light curves.

Identification of Rossby wave-related variability modes.

Abstract

A weakly magnetized neutron star (NS) undergoing disk accretion should release about a half of its power in a compact region known as the accretion boundary layer. Latitudinal spread of the accreted matter and efficient radiative cooling justify the approach to this flow as a two-dimensional spreading layer (SL) on the surface of the star. Numerical simulations of SLs are challenging because of the curved geometry and supersonic nature of the problem. We develop a new two-dimensional hydrodynamics code that uses the multislope second-order MUSCL scheme in combination with an HLLC+ Riemann solver on an arbitrary irregular mesh on a spherical surface. The code is suitable and accurate for Mach numbers at least up to 5-10. Adding sinks and sources to the conserved variables, we simulate constant-rate accretion onto a spherical NS. During the early stages of accretion, heating in the equatorial region triggers convective instability that causes rapid mixing in latitudinal direction. One of the outcomes of the instability is the development of a two-armed `tennis ball' pattern rotating as a rigid body. From the point of view of a high-inclination observer, its contribution to the light curve is seen as a high-quality-factor quasi-periodic oscillation mode with a frequency considerably smaller than the rotation frequency of the matter in the SL. Other variability modes seen in the simulated light curves are probably associated with low-azimuthal-number Rossby waves.