Stellar wind in state transitions of high-mass X-ray binaries

Abstract

Aims: We have developed a new code for the three-dimensional time-dependent raditation hydrodynamic simulation of the stellar wind in interacting binaries to improve models of accretion in high-mass X-ray binaries and to quantitatively clarify the observed variability of these objects. We used the code to test the influence of various parameters on the structure and properties of circumstellar matter. Methods: Our code takes into account acceleration of the wind due to the Roche effective potential, Coriolis force, gas pressure, and (CAK-) radiative pressure in the lines and continuum of the supergiant radiation field that is modulated by its gravity darkening and by the photo-ionization caused by X-ray radiation from the compact companion. The parameters of Cygnus X-1 were used to test the properties of our model. Results: Both two- and three-dimensional numerical simulations show that the Coriolis force substantially influences the mass loss and consequently the accretion rate onto the compact companion. The gravitational field of the compact companion focuses the stellar wind, which leads to the formation of a curved cone-like gaseous tail behind the companion. The changes of X-ray photo-ionization of the wind material during X-ray spectral-state transitions significantly influence the wind structure and offer an explanation of the variability of Cygnus X-1 in optical observations (the H$\alpha$ emission).

References in corpus (6)

• The Mass of the Black Hole in Cygnus X-1
• The Trigonometric Parallax of Cygnus X-1
• The Ultraviolet Spectrum and Physical Properties of the Mass Donor Star in HD 226868 = Cygnus X-1
• Masses of the components of the HDE 226868/Cyg X-1 binary system
• Neutron star masses from hydrodynamical effects in obscured sgHMXBs
• Really focused stellar winds in X-ray binaries

Cited by in corpus (17)

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• Towards a unified view of inhomogeneous stellar winds in isolated supergiant stars and supergiant high mass X-ray binaries
• Coupling hydrodynamics with comoving frame radiative transfer: I. A unified approach for OB and WR stars
• Gemini/GNIRS infrared spectroscopy of the Wolf-Rayet stellar wind in Cygnus X-3
• Revisiting the archetypical wind accretor Vela X-1 in depth -- A case study of a well-known X-ray binary and the limits of our knowledge
• Stellar wind models of subluminous hot stars
• Wind inhibition by X-ray irradiation in HMXBs: the influence of clumping and the final X-ray luminosity
• Sub-milliarcsecond Optical Interferometry of the HMXB BP Cru with VLTI/GRAVITY
• Hydrodynamic Winds From Twin-Star Binaries
• Ultra-luminous X-ray sources as super-critical propellers
• Interpreting the X-ray state transitions of Cygnus X-1
• Clumpy wind accretion in Cygnus X-1
• Wind accretion in Cygnus X-1
• XRISM High-Resolution X-ray Spectroscopy of Cygnus X-1 -- highly ionized Iron absorption structures
• Compact stellar systems hosting an intermediate mass black hole: magnetohydrodynamic study of inflow-outflow dynamics
• Conditions for accretion disc formation and observability of wind-accreting X-ray binaries
• Semi-Analytical Model for Wind-Fed Black Hole High-Mass X-ray Binaries -- State Transition Triggered by Magnetic Fields from the Companion Star --