Think You Know Extreme? Meet the Low Mass X-Ray Binaries

This project aims to advance the understanding of matter in extreme environments by studying LMXB's MS 1603.6+2600 and GX 1+4 using data from Chandra and NuSTAR X-ray telescopes, as well as LMXB's 4U 1822-37 and 4U 1624-490 using the NuSTAR telescopes. The primary research question is: How do the high-energy X-ray emissions from LMXBs reveal the physical processes and properties of matter in these extreme environments, and what can these observations tell us about neutron star characteristics? LMXBs are characterized by extreme conditions-temperatures exceeding 10'6 Kelvin, densities around 10'12 g/cc, and magnetic fields of about 10'10 G-that are unattainable on Earth. They contain remnants of collapsed white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes orbiting around a low-mass star. LMXBs cluster towards galactic bulges along their respective galaxies and stars; typically having shorter orbital periods that are less than one day here on Earth! Matter from the companion is accreted to the neutron star, forming an accretion disk. X-rays are generated in the accretion disk through inverse Compton scattering or thermal collisions. Such conditions are absolutely unattainable on Earth, and therefore LMXBs act as natural laboratories, resulting in the testing of extreme physics through X-ray analysis. Other wavelengths, like visible or infrared light, are absorbed by the dense plasma around neutron stars, while X-rays can penetrate this extreme environment, providing direct insights into the star's temperature, density, and energetic processes. X-ray spectral and timing studies from LMXBs provide key insights into neutron star properties and the behavior of matter in extreme conditions. Understanding the system in x-rays helps us explore the physical properties very close to the compact object.