Constraints on Natal Kicks in Galactic Double Neutron Star Systems

Abstract

Since the discovery of the first double neutron star (DNS) system in 1975 by Hulse and Taylor, there are currently 8 confirmed DNS in our galaxy. For every system, the masses of both neutron stars, the orbital semi- major axis and eccentricity are measured, and proper motion is known for half of the systems. Using the orbital parameters and kinematic information, if available, as constraints for all system, we investigate the immediate progenitor mass of the second-born neutron star and the magnitude of the supernova kick it received at birth, with the primary goal to understand the core collapse mechanism leading to neutron star formation. Compared to earlier studies, we use a novel method to address the uncertainty related to the unknown radial velocity of the observed systems. For PSR B1534+12 and PSR B1913+16, the kick magnitudes are 150 - 270 km/s and 190 - 450 km/s (with 95% confidence) respectively, and the progenitor masses of the 2nd born neutron stars are 1.3 - 3.4 Msun and 1.4 - 5.0 Msun (95%), respectively. These suggest that the 2nd born neutron star was formed by an iron core collapse supernova in both systems. For PSR J0737-3039, on the other hand, the kick magnitude is only 5 - 120 km/s (95%), and the progenitor mass of the 2nd born neutron star is 1.3 - 1.9 Msun (95%). Because of the relatively low progenitor mass and kick magnitude, the formation of the 2nd born neutron star in PSR J0737-3039 is potentially connected to an electron capture supernova of a massive O - Ne - Mg white dwarf. For the remaining 5 Galactic DNS, the kick magnitude ranges from several tens to several hundreds of km/s, and the progenitor mass of the 2nd formed neutron star can be as low as ~1.5 Msun, or as high as ~8 Msun. Therefore in these systems, it is not clear which type of supernova is more likely to form the 2nd neutron star.

13 pages, 16 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ

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• The Electromagnetic Counterpart of the Binary Neutron Star Merger LIGO/VIRGO GW170817. VII. Properties of the Host Galaxy and Constraints on the Merger Timescale
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• On the Progenitor of Binary Neutron Star Merger GW170817
• The Galactic distribution of X-ray binaries and its implications for compact object formation and natal kicks
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• Natal Kicks and Time Delays in Merging Neutron Star Binaries - Implications for r-process nucleosynthesis in Ultra Faint Dwarfs and in the Milky Way
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• Interstellar Scintillation of the Double Pulsar J0737$-$3039
• Evolutionary Channels for the Formation of Double Neutron Stars
• The observed neutron star mass distribution as a probe of the supernova explosion mechanism
• Diversity Of Short Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglows From Compact Binary Mergers Hosting Pulsars
• A Population of Non-Recycled Pulsars Orginating in Globular Clusters