Near-periodical spin period evolution in the binary system LMC X-4. Issue 2 (23rd September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Molkov, S.; Lutovinov, A.; Falanga, M.; Tsygankov, S.; Bozzo, E.
• Is Part Of: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Volume 464:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 2039
• Page End: 2045
• Publication Date: 2016-09-23
• Subjects: accretion, accretion discs -- stars: individual: LMC X-4 -- X-rays: binaries; Astronomy -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 520.5
• DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stw2429
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0035-8711

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper, we investigated the long-term evolution of the pulse period in the high-mass X-ray binary LMC X-4 by taking advantage of more than 43 yr of measurements in the X-ray domain. Our analysis revealed for the first time that the source is displaying near-periodical variations of its spin period on a time-scale of roughly 6.8 yr, making LMC X-4 one of the known binary systems showing remarkable long-term spin torque reversals. We discuss different scenarios to interpret the origin of these torque reversals.