paper

Light curves from highly compact neutron stars with spot size effect

arXiv:2002.11840 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevD.101.063013

Abstract

We systematically examine light curves from a single hot spot on a slowly rotating neutron star with very high compactness, where the so-called invisible zone does not exist. In particular, we adopt three different shapes of hot spot and take into account the finite size effect of hot spot on the light curves. Then, we find that the brightening of flux occurs when the hot spot with small area crosses the opposite side to the observer, where the brightening becomes stronger as the area of hot spot decreases. Since this brightening happens only when a part of hot spot crosses the opposite side to the observer, one may constrain the neutron star geometry, i.e., the combination of an inclination angle, angle between the rotational axis and normal vector at the center of hot spot, and the opening angle of hot spot, if the brightening would be observed. In addition, by counting such a brightening in the light curves, one may know how many narrow bands of hot spot and/or spots with small area cross the opposite side to the observer.

arXiv commentaccepted for publication in PRD

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