Preface
Contents
Contributors
1 Radio Millisecond Pulsars
1.1 Introduction to Parameters of Radio MSPs
1.2 Properties of Radio MSPs
1.2.1 Spectra and Luminosity
1.2.2 Pulse Profile and Polarisation Properties
1.3 Searches for Radio MSPs
1.3.1 Search Techniques
1.3.2 Targeted Searches
1.3.2.1 FollowβUp of High Energy Sources
1.3.2.2 Searches in Globular Clusters
1.3.2.3 Galactic Centre MSPs
1.3.3 Wide Field Surveys
1.4 Timing of MSPs
1.4.1 MSPs as Sensitive Gravitational Wave Detectors
1.4.2 MSPs as Gravity Probes
1.4.3 Eclipsing MSPs: Probing Intra-Binary Material
References
2 The High-Energy Emission of Millisecond Pulsars
2.1 Millisecond Pulsars in the Fermi-LAT Era
2.2 Do Accreting Millisecond Pulsars Shine in Gamma-Rays?
2.3 Gamma-Ray Emission from Transitional Millisecond Pulsars
2.4 More on Redbacks, and Black Widows in the Context of Gamma-Ray Binaries
Closing Comments: MSPs at Home
References
3 The Emission Physics of Millisecond Pulsars
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Global Magnetosphere Models
3.2.1 Vacuum Retarded Dipole
3.2.2 Force-Free and Dissipative Models
3.2.3 Kinetic Models
3.3 Multiwavelength Emission Models
3.3.1 Polar Cap Models
3.3.2 Outer Gap Models
3.3.3 Slot Gap and Annular Gap Models
3.3.4 Current Sheet Models
3.3.5 Light Curve Modeling
3.4 Pairs and Death Lines
3.5 Thermal X-ray Emission and Field Structure
3.6 Millisecond Pulsars in Binary Systems
3.7 Outstanding Problems
References
4 Accretion Powered X-ray Millisecond Pulsars
4.1 How to Spin Up a Neutron Star: The Recycling Scenario
4.1.1 Evolution of Rotation-Powered Neutron Stars in the P - Diagram
4.1.2 Low-Mass X-ray Binaries and Accretion onto a Neutron Star
4.2 The Discovery of Accreting X-ray Millisecond Pulsars: The Missing Link in the Recycling Scenario
4.3 Timing and Spectral Properties of AMXPs
4.3.1 Spectral Properties
4.3.2 Short-Term Variations of the Spin During Outbursts
4.3.3 Long-Term Variations of the Spin
4.3.4 Long-Term Timing of the Orbital Period
4.3.5 Non-conservative Mass Transfer?
4.4 Summary and Open Questions
References
5 Nuclear-Powered X-ray Millisecond Pulsars
5.1 Introduction
5.1.1 Thermonuclear X-ray Bursts
5.1.2 Burst Oscillations: Discovery and Growth of the Field
5.2 Observational Aspects
5.2.1 Frequency and Coherence
5.2.2 Amplitude
5.2.3 Harmonic Content
5.2.4 Energy Dependence
5.2.5 Connection with Accretion-Powered Pulsations
5.2.6 Superburst Oscillations
5.3 Burst Rise Oscillations and Thermonuclear Flame-Spreading
5.3.1 Theory of Flame-Spreading
5.3.2 Evidence of Flame-Spreading
5.4 What Causes Burst Decay Oscillations?
5.4.1 Surface Modes
5.4.2 Cooling Wake
5.5 Conclusion
References
6 Transitional Millisecond Pulsars
6.1 Introduction
6.2 The Population of Millisecond Pulsar Binaries
6.3 Changes of State in Millisecond Pulsars
6.4 Transitional Millisecond Pulsars
6.4.1 PSR J1023+0038βFIRST J102347.6-003841
6.4.2 IGR J18245-2452βPSR J1824-2452I
6.4.3 XSS J12270β4859βPSR J1227β4853
6.5 The Three States of Transitional Millisecond Pulsars
6.5.1 The Rotation-Powered State
6.5.2 Accretion Outbursts
6.5.3 The Sub-luminous Disc State
6.5.4 Candidate Transitional Millisecond Pulsars
6.6 Models and Open Questions
6.6.1 The Rotation-Powered State
6.6.2 The Accretion-Disc State
6.7 Conclusions
References
7 Origin and Binary Evolution of Millisecond Pulsars
7.1 Introduction
7.2 The Origin of Millisecond Pulsars
7.2.1 The Formation of Single Neutron Stars
7.2.2 Formation of Neutron Stars in Binaries
7.2.3 The MSP Formation
7.2.3.1 The Lack of Sub-millisecond Pulsars and the Radio-Ejection
7.2.4 Binary and Single MSPs and the Globular Clusters Environment
7.3 Concepts of Binary Evolution
7.3.1 The Roche Lobe and the Radius Evolution of Single Stars
7.3.2 The Radius Change due to Mass Loss
7.3.3 The Losses of Angular Momentum: Primary Mechanisms
7.3.4 The Approach of a Donor to the Roche Lobe Contact
7.4 Cataclysmic Binaries as a Comparison Key Study
7.4.1 Extension of the CB Evolution Scheme to X-ray Binaries
7.4.2 Comparisons and the Birthrate Problem
7.5 The Porb Versus Md Plane as a Tracer of the NS to MSPEvolution
7.5.1 Double NS Remnants
7.5.2 Intermediate Mass Cases A, B or C
7.5.3 The Evolution to MSPs with Companion Low Mass White Dwarfs
7.6 Short Period, Low-mass Companion Systems: The Mixed Bag
7.6.1 The Radius Reaction when a Source of IrradiationIs Present
7.6.2 The Consequence of X-ray Irradiation: Mass Transfer Cycles
7.6.2.1 Mass Transfer Cycles and the Redbacks
7.6.3 The MSP Illumination
7.6.4 The `Evaporation' Model: A Role for the Black Widows Stage?
7.6.5 The Evolution Close to Pbif
7.6.5.1 An Alternative Path for the Short-Porb MSP with He-WD Companions?
7.7 Summary and (a few of the) Questions Left Open
7.7.1 Why the Evolution Close to Pbif Has Such a Dominant Role?
7.7.2 Conclusions
References
8 Millisecond Magnetars
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Millisecond Magnetars as Gamma-Ray Burst Central Engines
8.3 Millisecond Magnetars and Supernovae
8.4 Gravitational Waves from Millisecond Spinning Magnetars
8.5 Fast Radio Bursts and Millisecond Magnetars
8.6 Conclusions
References
9 The Equation of State of Neutron Star Matter
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Neutron Star Physics in a Nutshell: Basic Concepts
9.2.1 The Role of Weak Interaction and Pauli Principle
9.2.1.1 Inverse Ξ²-decay
9.2.1.2 Ξ²-stable Nuclear Matter
9.2.1.3 The Muon Threshold
9.3 Nuclear Matter and Nucleon Stars
9.3.1 Isospin-Asymmetric Nuclear Matter
9.3.1.1 The Empirical Saturation Point of SNM
9.3.1.2 The Incompressibility of SNM
9.3.1.3 Properties of the Nuclear Symmetry Energy Around the Saturation Point
9.3.1.4 Saturation Properties of Nuclear Matter for EoS Models
9.3.2 Ξ²-stable Nuclear Matter: Role of the Nuclear Interactions
9.3.3 Nucleon Stars Properties
9.4 Hyperons in Neutron Stars: The Hyperon Puzzle
9.4.1 Ξ²-stable Hyperonic Matter
9.4.2 Hyperon Stars
9.4.3 Hyperonic Three-Body Interactions as Possible Solutions of the Hyperon Puzzle
9.5 Quark Matter in Neutron Stars
9.5.1 Ξ²-stable Strange Quark Matter
9.5.2 Strange Stars
9.6 Two Coexisting Families of Compact Stars
References
Index