Jena 2013 – scientific programme

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EP: Fachverband Extraterrestrische Physik

EP 1: Astrophysik

EP 1.6: Talk

Monday, February 25, 2013, 15:30–15:45, HS 9

The role of reprocessing in the pulse shape formation in binary X-ray pulsars — •Ute Kraus and Corvin Zahn — Institut für Physik, Universität Hildesheim

High-energy radiation from binary X-ray pulsars originates from accretion onto a strongly magnetized neutron star. It is observed pulsed due to the rotation of the star. The pulse shapes are characteristic for each source and in many cases are strongly dependent on photon energy. We model the energy-dependent pulse profiles of medium-luminosity X-ray pulsars taking full account of relativistic effects. In particular, we study the effects of reprocessing of radiation on the neutron star and in the upper accretion stream. We find that reprocessing in the stream may dominate the high-energy pulses. The energy-dependence of the model is in good qualitative agreement with observations.