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Equation of State and Opacities for Hydrogen Atmospheres of Neutron Stars with Strong Magnetic Fields
- Source :
- The Astrophysical Journal; March 2003, Vol. 585 Issue: 2 p955-974, 20p
- Publication Year :
- 2003
-
Abstract
- We present an equation of state and radiative opacities for a strongly magnetized hydrogen plasma at magnetic fields B, temperatures T, and densities r typical for atmospheres of isolated neutron stars. The first- and second-order thermodynamic functions, monochromatic radiative opacities, and Rosseland mean opacities are calculated and tabulated, taking account of partial ionization, for 8 x 1011 G [?] B [?] 3 x 1013 G, 2 x 105 K [?] T [?] 107 K, and a wide range of r. We show that bound-bound and bound-free transitions give an important contribution to the opacities at T [?] (1-5) x 106 K in the considered range of B in the outer neutron star atmosphere layers, which may substantially modify the X-ray spectrum of a typical magnetized neutron star. In addition, we reevaluate opacities due to free-free transitions, taking into account the motion of both interacting particles, electron and proton, in a strong magnetic field. Compared to the previous neutron star atmosphere models, the free-free absorption is strongly suppressed at photon frequencies below the proton cyclotron frequency. The latter result holds for any field strength, which prompts a revision of existing theoretical models of X-ray spectra of magnetar atmospheres.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0004637X and 15384357
- Volume :
- 585
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- The Astrophysical Journal
- Publication Type :
- Periodical
- Accession number :
- ejs18555550