X-Ray Views of Galactic Accreting Pulsars in High-Mass X-Ray Binaries

TL;DR

This review summarizes the accretion, radiation, and observational features of galactic X-ray pulsars in high-mass X-ray binaries, highlighting recent advances in X-ray polarimetry and multi-wavelength observations.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the complex phenomena and recent observational developments related to accreting X-ray pulsars.

Findings

Detailed characterization of temporal and spectral variability.

Insights into the evolution of X-ray pulsar systems.

Discussion of new observational techniques like X-ray polarimetry.

Abstract

Accreting X-ray pulsars, located in X-ray binaries, are neutron stars with magnetic fields as strong as $B\sim10^{12\text{--}13}$ G. This review offers a concise overview of the accretion and radiation processes of X-ray pulsars and summarizes their rich observational features, particularly focusing on complex and variable temporal phenomena, spectral properties, and evolution, the new window for X-ray polarimetry and multi-wavelength advances. We also briefly discuss other related systems, i.e., gamma-ray binaries and pulsating ultraluminous X-ray sources.