Wenfei Yu

Bio: Wenfei Yu is an academic researcher from Chinese Academy of Sciences. The author has contributed to research in topics: Neutron star & Luminosity. The author has an hindex of 25, co-authored 83 publications receiving 1718 citations. Previous affiliations of Wenfei Yu include Marshall Space Flight Center & Shanghai Astronomical Observatory.

Spectral State Transitions in Aql X-1: Evidence for `Propeller' Effects

Abstract: Aql X-1 is a soft X-ray transient source and emits type I X-ray bursts. A spectral state transition was observed with RXTE during its outburst decay in February and March 1997. Its 10-30 keV and 5-10 keV count rate ratio increased suddenly when its luminosity was between (4-12) E35 ergs/s, assuming a 2.5 kpc distance. Spectral fitting with a model composed of a blackbody and a power-law components showed that its blackbody component decreased and the power-law became much harder significantly and simultaneously. We interpret this transition as caused by the centrifugal barrier, or commonly known as the `propeller' effect. We thus infer that the magnetic field strength of the neutron star is around 1E8 Gauss, if the neutron star spin period is 1.8 ms. Similarly we infer the neutron star magnetic field strength in another soft X-ray transient Cen X-4 is about 2E9 Gauss. We also propose a unified scheme for spectral state transitions in soft X-ray transients, from soft high state to hard low state and further to quiescent state. With this scheme accretion onto neutron star may take place even during the propeller regime.

Spectral State Transitions in Aquila X-1: Evidence for “Propeller” Effects

Abstract: Aquila X-1 is a soft X-ray transient source and emits type I X-ray bursts. A spectral state transition was observed with RXTE during its outburst decay in 1997 February and March. Its 10-30 keV and 5-10 keV count rate ratio increased suddenly when its luminosity was between 4 and 12×1035 ergs s-1, assuming a 2.5 kpc distance. Spectral fitting with a model composed of a blackbody and a power-law component showed that its blackbody component decreased and that the power-law component became much harder significantly and simultaneously. We interpret this transition to be caused by the centrifugal barrier, more commonly known as the "propeller" effect. We thus infer that the magnetic field strength of the neutron star is around 1×108 G, if the neutron star spin period is 1.8 ms. Similarly, we infer the neutron star magnetic field strength in another soft X-ray transient Cen X-4 is about 2×109 G. We also propose a unified scheme for spectral state transitions in soft X-ray transients, from soft high state to hard low state and further to quiescent state. With this scheme accretion onto neutron star may take place even during the propeller regime.

A model for the waveform behavior of accreting millisecond x-ray pulsars: nearly aligned magnetic fields and moving emission regions

Abstract: We investigate further a model of the accreting millisecond X-ray pulsars we proposed earlier. In this model, the X-ray-emitting regions of these pulsars are near their spin axes but move. This is to be expected if the magnetic poles of these stars are close to their spin axes, so that accreting gas is channeled there. As the accretion rate and the structure of the inner disk vary, gas is channeled along different field lines to different locations on the stellar surface, causing the X-ray-emitting areas to move. We show that this 'nearly aligned moving spot model' can explain many properties of the accreting millisecond X-ray pulsars, including their generally low oscillation amplitudes and nearly sinusoidal waveforms; the variability of their pulse amplitudes, shapes, and phases; the correlations in this variability; and the similarity of the accretion- and nuclear-powered pulse shapes and phases in some. It may also explain why accretion-powered millisecond pulsars are difficult to detect, why some are intermittent, and why all detected so far are transients. This model can be tested by comparing with observations the waveform changes it predicts, including the changes with accretion rate.

Dense matter with eXTP

Abstract: In this White Paper we present the potential of the Enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry (eXTP) mission for determining the nature of dense matter; neutron star cores host an extreme density regime which cannot be replicated in a terrestrial laboratory. The tightest statistical constraints on the dense matter equation of state will come from pulse profile modelling of accretion-powered pulsars, burst oscillation sources, and rotation-powered pulsars. Additional constraints will derive from spin measurements, burst spectra, and properties of the accretion flows in the vicinity of the neutron star. Under development by an international Consortium led by the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the eXTP mission is expected to be launched in the mid 2020s.

A model for the waveform behavior of accreting millisecond pulsars: Nearly aligned magnetic fields and moving emission regions

Abstract: We investigate further a model of the accreting millisecond X-ray pulsars we proposed earlier. In this model, the X-ray-emitting regions of these pulsars are near their spin axes but move. This is to be expected if the magnetic poles of these stars are close to their spin axes, so that accreting gas is channeled there. As the accretion rate and the structure of the inner disk vary, gas is channeled along different field lines to different locations on the stellar surface, causing the X-ray-emitting areas to move. We show that this "nearly aligned moving spot model" can explain many properties of the accreting millisecond X-ray pulsars, including their generally low oscillation amplitudes and nearly sinusoidal waveforms; the variability of their pulse amplitudes, shapes, and phases; the correlations in this variability; and the similarity of the accretion- and nuclear-powered pulse shapes and phases in some. It may also explain why accretion-powered millisecond pulsars are difficult to detect, why some are intermittent, and why all detected so far are transients. This model can be tested by comparing with observations the waveform changes it predicts, including the changes with accretion rate.

Parameter estimation in astronomy through application of the likelihood ratio. [satellite data analysis techniques

Abstract: Many problems in the experimental estimation of parameters for models can be solved through use of the likelihood ratio test. Applications of the likelihood ratio, with particular attention to photon counting experiments, are discussed. The procedures presented solve a greater range of problems than those currently in use, yet are no more difficult to apply. The procedures are proved analytically, and examples from current problems in astronomy are discussed.

Hot Accretion Flows Around Black Holes

Abstract: Black hole accretion flows can be divided into two broad classes: cold and hot. Whereas cold accretion flows consist of cool optically thick gas and are found at relatively high mass accretion rates, hot accretion flows, the topic of this review, are virially hot and optically thin, and occur at lower mass accretion rates. They are described by accretion solutions such as the advection-dominated accretion flow and luminous hot accretion flow. Because of energy advection, the radiative efficiency of these flows is in general lower than that of a standard thin accretion disk. Moreover, the efficiency decreases with decreasing mass accretion rate. Observations show that hot accretion flows are associated with jets. In addition, theoretical arguments suggest that hot flows should produce strong winds. Hot accretion flows are believed to be present in low-luminosity active galactic nuclei and in black hole X-ray binaries in the hard and quiescent states. The prototype is Sgr A*, the ultralow-luminosity supermassive black hole at our Galactic center. The jet, wind, and radiation from a supermassive black hole with a hot accretion flow can interact with the external interstellar medium and modify the evolution of the host galaxy.

Towards a unified model for black hole X-ray binary jets

Abstract: We present a unified semiquantitative model for the disc–jet coupling in black hole X-ray binary systems. In the process we have compiled observational aspects from the existing literature, as well as performing new analyses. We argue that during the rising phase of a black hole transient outburst the steady jet known to be associated with the canonical ‘low/hard’ state persists while the X-ray spectrum initially softens. Subsequently, the jet becomes unstable and an optically thin radio outburst is always associated with the soft X-ray peak at the end of this phase of softening. This peak corresponds to a ‘soft very high state’ or ‘steep power-law’ state. Softer X-ray states are not associated with ‘core’ radio emission. We further demonstrate quantitatively that the transient jets associated with these optically thin events are considerably more relativistic than those in the ‘low/hard’ X-ray state. This in turn implies that, as the disc makes its collapse inwards, the jet Lorentz factor rapidly increases, resulting in an internal shock in the outflow, which is the cause of the observed optically thin radio emission. We provide simple estimates for the efficiency of such a shock in the collision of a fast jet with a previously generated outflow that is only mildly relativistic. In addition, we estimate the jet power for a number of such transient events as a function of X-ray luminosity, and find them to be comparable to an extrapolation of the functions estimated for the ‘low/hard’ state jets. The normalization may be larger, however, which may suggest a contribution from some other power source such as black hole spin, for the transient jets. Finally, we attempt to fit these results together into a coherent semiquantitative model for the disc–jet coupling in all black hole X-ray binary systems.

Advection-Dominated Accretion: Underfed Black Holes and Neutron Stars

Abstract: We describe new optically thin solutions for rotating accretion flows around black holes and neutron stars. These solutions are advection dominated, so that most of the viscously dissipated energy is advected radially with the flow. We model the accreting gas as a two temperature plasma and include cooling by bremsstrahlung, synchrotron, and Comptonization. We obtain electron temperatures $T_e\sim 10^{8.5}-10^{10}$K. The new solutions are present only for mass accretion rates $\dot M$ less than a critical rate $\dot M_{crit}$ which we calculate as a function of radius $R$ and viscosity parameter $\alpha$. For $\dot M<\dot M_{crit}$ we show that there are three equilibrium branches of solutions. One of the branches corresponds to a cool optically thick flow which is the well-known thin disk solution of Shakura \& Sunyaev (1973). Another branch corresponds to a hot optically thin flow, discovered originally by Shapiro, Lightman \& Eardley (1976, SLE). This solution is thermally unstable. The third branch corresponds to our new advection-dominated solution. This solution is hotter and more optically thin than the SLE solution, but is viscously and thermally stable. It is related to the ion torus model of Rees et al. (1982) and may potentially explain the hard X-ray and $\gamma$-ray emission from X-ray binaries and active galactic nuclei.