RX J0720.4--3125 as a Possible Example of the Magnetic Field Decay of Neutron Stars

Abstract

We studied possible evolution of the rotational period and the magnetic field of the X-ray source RX J0720.4-3125 assuming this source to be an isolated neutron star accreting interstellar medium. Magnetic field of the source is estimated to be $10^6-10^9$ G, and it is difficult to explain observed rotational period 8.38 s without invoking hypothesis of the magnetic field decay. We used the model of ohmic decay of the crustal magnetic field. The estimates of accretion rate ($10^{-14}-10^{-16}{M}_{\odot }/yr$), velocity of the source relative to interstellar medium ($10-50$ km/s), neutron star age ($2\cdot 10^9-10^{10}$ yrs) are obtained.

12 pages (LATEX), 2 PostScript figures. Also available at http://xray.sai.msu.su/~polar/ (with the Russian variant of the article)