2017/12/18 by Duncan K. Galloway, Laurens Keek · 104 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations #Gamma-ray burst #Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae #Interpretation (philosophy) #Neutron #Neutron star #Nuclear astrophysics #Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research #Thermonuclear fusion #astro-ph.HE
paper · pdf · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-62110-3_5
published in Astrophysics and space science library, 209-262 (Springer Nature (Netherlands)) · 57 pages, 14 figures; review to appear in "Timing Neutron Stars: Pulsations, Oscillations and Explosions", Editors: Tomaso Belloni and Mariano Mendez (ASSL, Springer)
arxiv created 2017/12/18 · openalex created_date 2018/01/05 · openalex publication_date 2020/10/23 · arxiv updated 2021/01/20 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
Type-I X-ray bursts arise from unstable thermonuclear burning of accreted fuel on the surface of neutron stars. In this chapter we review the fundamental physics of the burning processes, and summarise the observational, numerical, and nuclear experimental progress over the preceding decade. We describe the current understanding of the conditions that lead to burst ignition, and the influence of the burst fuel on the observational characteristics. We provide an overview of the processes which shape the burst X-ray spectrum, including the observationally elusive discrete spectral features. We report on the studies of timing behaviour related to nuclear burning, including burst oscillations and mHz quasi-periodic oscillations. We describe the increasing role of nuclear experimental physics in the interpretation of astrophysical data and models. We survey the simulation projects that have taken place to date, and chart the increasing dialogue between modellers, observers, and nuclear experimentalists. Finally, we identify some open problems with prospects of a resolution within the timescale of the next such review.