Andrea Kotrlova

Quasiperiodic oscillations in a strong gravitational field around neutron stars testing braneworld models

The strong gravitational field of neutron stars in the brany universe could be described by spherically symmetric solutions with a metric in the exterior to the brany stars being of the Reissner–Nordstrom type containing a brany tidal charge representing the tidal effect of the bulk spacetime onto the star structure. We investigate the role of the tidal charge in orbital models of high-frequency quasiperiodic oscillations (QPOs) observed in neutron star binary systems. We focus on the relativistic precession model. We give the radial profiles of frequencies of the Keplerian (vertical) and radial epicyclic oscillations. We show how the standard relativistic precession model modified by the tidal charge fits the observational data, giving estimates of the allowed values of the tidal charge and the brane tension based on the processes going in the vicinity of neutron stars. We compare the strong field regime restrictions with those given in the weak-field limit of solar system experiments.

Multi-resonance orbital model of high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations: possible high-precision determination of black hole and neutron star spin

Context. Using known frequencies of the twin-peak high-frequency quasiperiodic oscillations (HF QPOs) and known mass of the central black hole, the black-hole dimensionless spin a can be determined by assuming a concrete version of the resonance model. However, a wide range of observationally limited values of the black hole mass implies low precision of the spin estimates. Aims. We discuss the possibility of higher precision for the black hole spin a measurements in the framework of a multi-resonance model inspired by observations of more than two HF QPOs in the black hole systems, which are expected to occur at two (or more) different radii of the accretion disc. This framework is also applied in a modified form to the neutron star systems. Methods. We determine the spin and mass dependence of the twin-peak frequencies with a general rational ratio n:m, assuming a non-linear resonance of oscillations with the epicyclic and Keplerian frequencies or their combinations. In the multi-resonant model, the twin-peak resonances are combined properly to give the observed frequency set. For the black hole systems we focus on the special case of duplex frequencies, when the top, bottom, or mixed frequency is common at two different radii where the resonances occur giving triple frequency sets. Results. The sets of triple frequency ratios and the related spin a are given. The resonances are considered up to n = 5 since excitation of higher order resonances is improbable. The strong resonance model for “magic” values of the black hole spin means that two (or more) versions of resonance could occur at the same radius, allowing cooperative effects between the resonances. For neutron star systems we introduce a resonant switch model that assumes switching of oscillatory modes at resonant points. Conclusions. In the case of doubled twin-peak HF QPOs excited at two different radii with common top, bottom, or mixed frequency, the black hole spin a is given by the triple frequency ratio set. The spin is determined precisely, but not uniquely, because the same frequency set could correspond to more than one concrete spin a. The black hole mass is given by the magnitude of the observed frequencies. The resonant switch model puts relevant limits on the mass and spin of neutron stars, and we expect a strong increase in the fitting procedure precision when different twin oscillatory modes are applied to data in the vicinity of different resonant points. We expect the multi-resonance model to be applicable to data from the planned LOFT or similar X-ray satellite observatory.

Confronting the models of 3:2 quasiperiodic oscillations with the rapid spin of the microquasar GRS 1915+105

Spectral fitting of the spin a ≡ cJ/GM 2 in the microquasar GRS 1915+105 estimate values higher than a = 0.98. However, there are certain doubts about this (nearly) extremal number. Confirming a high value of a > 0.9 would have significant concequences for the theory of high-frequency quasiperiodic oscillations (HF QPOs). Here we discuss its possible implications assuming several commonly used orbital models of 3:2 HF QPOs. We show that the estimate of a > 0.9 is almost inconsistent with two hot-spot (relativistic precession and tidal disruption) models and the warped disc resonance model. In contrast, we demonstrate that the epicyclic resonance and discoseismic models assuming the c- and g-modes are favoured. We extend our discussion to another two microquasars that display the 3:2 HF QPOs. The frequencies of these QPOs scale roughly inversely to the microquasar masses, and the differences in the individual spins, such as a = 0.9 compared to a = 0.7, represent a generic problem for most of the discussed geodesic 3:2 QPO models. To explain the observations of all the three microquasars by one unique mechanism, the models would have to accommodate very large non-geodesic corrections.

Resonant radii of kHz quasi-periodic oscillations in Keplerian discs orbiting neutron stars

Exchange of dominance between twin kHz quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) observed in some low-mass-X-ray-binaries (LMXB) suggests the possibility of a resonance between two oscillatory modes. We study the behaviour of the effective gravitational potential around specific resonant radii, and estimate the role of the higher-order terms governing the non-linear, anharmonic forcing. We discuss the impact it has on the mode amplitude in the linear and non--linear regimes. We also discuss a related possibility of lowering of the neutron star mass estimates from the highest observed QPO frequencies.

Resonant switch model of twin peak HF QPOs applied to the source 4U 1636-53

We present a Resonant Switch (RS) model of twin peak high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (HF QPOs), assuming switch of twin oscillations at a resonant point, where frequencies of the upper and lower oscillations ν U and ν L become to be commensurable and the twin oscillations change from one pair of the oscillating modes (corresponding to a specific model of HF QPOs) to some other pair due to non-linear resonant phenomena. The RS model enables to determine range of allowed values of spin a and mass M of the neutron star located at the atoll source 4U 1636-53 where two resonant points are observed at frequency ratios ν U : ν L = 3:2, 5:4.

Super-spinning compact objects and models of high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations observed in Galactic microquasars - II. Forced resonances

In our previous work (Paper I) we applied several models of high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (HF QPOs) to estimate the spin of the central compact object in three Galactic microquasars assuming the possibility that the central compact body is a super-spinning object (or a naked singularity) with external spacetime described by Kerr geometry with a dimensionless spin parameter

Black hole spin inferred from 3:2 epicyclic resonance model of high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations

a\equiv cJ/GM^2>1

Simulations of flux variability of oscillating accretion fluid tori around Kerr black holes

. Here we extend our consideration, and in a consistent way investigate implications of a set of ten resonance models so far discussed only in the context of

RESONANT SWITCH MODEL OF HF QPOS AND EQUATIONS OF STATE OF NEUTRON STARS AND QUARK STARS

a<1

Multi-resonance orbital model of HF QPOs

. The same physical arguments as in Paper I are applied to these models, i.e. only a small deviation of the spin estimate from