Quark-Novae in Low-mass X-ray Binaries II: Application to G87-7 and to GRB 110328A

Abstract

We propose a simple model explaining two outstanding astrophysical problems related to compact objects: (1) that of stars such as G87-7 (alias EG 50) that constitute a class of relatively low-mass white dwarfs which nevertheless fall away from the C/O composition and (2) that of GRB 110328A/Swift J164449.3+57345 which showed spectacularly long-lived strong X-ray flaring, posing a challenge to standard GRB models. We argue that both these observations may have an explanation within the unified framework of a Quark-Nova occurring in a low-mass X-ray binary (neutron star- white dwarf). For LMXBs where the binary separation is sufficiently tight, ejecta from the exploding Neutron Star triggers nuclear burning in the white dwarf on impact, possibly leading to Fe-rich composition compact white dwarfs with mass 0.43M_sun < M_WD < 0.72M_sun, reminiscent of G87-7. Our results rely on the assumption, which ultimately needs to be tested by hydrodynamic and nucleosynthesis simulations, that under certain circumstances the WD can avoid the thermonuclear runaway. For heavier white dwarfs (i.e. M_WD > 0.72M_sun) experiencing the QN shock, degeneracy will not be lifted when Carbon burning begins, and a sub-Chandrasekhar Type Ia Supernovae may result in our model. Under slightly different conditions, and for pure He white dwarfs (i.e. M_WD < 0.43M_sun), the white dwarf is ablated and its ashes raining down on the Quark star leads to accretion-driven X-ray luminosity with energetics and duration reminiscent of GRB 110328A. We predict additional flaring activity towards the end of the accretion phase if the Quark star turns into a Black Hole.

Accepted for publication in ApJ. Extended paper size to 6 journal pages (from 4). Table is extended and more detailed. Related animations at: http://quarknova.ucalgary.ca/media/ (find paper I of the series here: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2011ApJ...729...60O)

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Cited by in corpus (14)

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• Radio Monitoring of the Tidal Disruption Event Swift J164449.3+573451. I. Jet Energetics and the Pristine Parsec-Scale Environment of a Supermassive Black Hole
• The dynamics, appearance and demographics of relativistic jets triggered by tidal disruption of stars in quiescent supermassive black holes
• Measurements of Physical Parameters of White Dwarfs: A Test of the Mass-Radius Relation
• On the origin of the radio emission of Sw 1644+57
• Consequence of total lepton number violation in strongly magnetized iron white dwarfs
• A two-component jet model for the tidal disruption event Swift J164449.3+573451
• A Quark-Nova in the wake of a core-collapse Supernova: a unifying model for long duration Gamma-Ray Bursts and Fast Radio Bursts
• Quark-Novae in massive binaries : a model for double-humped, hydrogen-poor, superluminous Supernovae
• Quark-Novae in Neutron Star-White-Dwarf Binaries: A model for luminous (spin-down powered) sub-Chandrasekhar-mass Type Ia Supernovae ?
• A new model for the origin of very metal poor stars and their chemical composition
• The superluminous SN DES13S2cmm as a signature of a Quark-Nova in a He-HMXB system
• Quark-Novae Ia in the Hubble diagram: Implications For Dark Energy
• Quark Novae: An Alternative Channel For the Formation of Isolated Millisecond Pulsars