Engineering topics

Meszaros, P.

Publications and source records attributed to Meszaros, P..

54 records · Page 3

NASA NTRS1984

Physical processes in the strong magnetic fields of accreting neutron stars

Analytical formulae are fitted to observational data on physical processes occurring in strong magnetic fields surrounding accreting neutron stars. The propagation of normal modes in the presence of a quantizing magnetic field is discussed in terms of a wave equation in Fourier space, quantum electrodynamic effects, polarization and mode ellipticity. The results are applied to calculating the Thomson scattering, bremsstrahlung and Compton scattering cross-sections, which are a function of the frequency, angle and polarization of the magnetic field. Numerical procedures are explored for solving the radiative transfer equations. When applied to modeling X ray pulsars, a problem arises in the necessity to couple the magnetic angle and frequency dependence of the cross-sections with the hydrodynamic equations. The use of time-dependent averaging and approximation techniques is indicated.

Meszaros, P.↗

NASA NTRS1983

A thermal interpretation of the X-ray spectra of quasars, active galactic nuclei, and Cygnus X-1

It is shown that spherically accreting black hole models emitting bremsstrahlung radiation provide an excellent fit to the observed X-ray spectrum of typical active galactic nuclei, as well as of 3C 273 and Cygnus X-1. The spectral slope remains approximately constant under changes of luminosity, as required by observations. Only one parameter, T(max), is needed for the fit.

Meszaros, P.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Shocks in spherically accreting black holes - A model for classical quasars

Spherically symmetric accretion onto black holes is thought to be very inefficient if the flow is nondissipative because of the inadequacy of compression heating and the short time available to radiate. It is shown that standing shock solutions exist where the downstream protons are heated to temperatures at which the fluid becomes almost collisionless. The material then moves inwards at the much slower diffusion rate given by the p-e energy exchange time scale. For a given accretion rate, a self-consistent shock radius is found by matching the flow equations above and below that value, showing that such shocks can be self-sustaining. Efficiencies reaching up to 0.1-0.3 can be achieved, with most of the luminosity in the hard X-ray and gamma-ray, as well as optical-IR ranges. This provides a new model for the classical (radio-quiet) quasars and active galactic nuclei and possibly for galactic sources such as Cyg X-1.

Meszaros, P.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Accreting X-ray pulsar atmospheres heated by Coulomb deceleration of protons

Results are presented from detailed self-consistent models of accreting magnetized neutron star atmospheres, heated by the gradual deceleration of infalling protons via Coulomb encounters. The temperature and density gradients are calculated assuming momentum and energy balance, coupled with the radiative transfer for two polarizations. The cyclotron resonance effects were treated approximately. These models are characterized by power-law energy spectra, with single pulses at higher frequencies and multiple pulses at lower ones for some aspect angles, as well as a phase-dependent spectral index.

Meszaros, P.↗

NASA NTRS1983

High energy spectrum of spherically accreting black holes

Spherically accreting black holes may sustain strong collisionless shocks, downstream of which the fluid approximation is not valid. The proton-electron Coulomb exchange provides for the downstream matter diffusion into the hole. Energy conversion efficiencies upward of 10-30 percent are obtained, with most of the luminosity in hard X-rays and gamma-rays. The whole spectrum and its application for radio-quiet QSO's and galactic X- and gamma-ray sources are discussed.

Meszaros, P.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Radiation from the accretion column of magnetized neutron stars

Some developments in radiative transfer for magnetized neutron star conditions, and their application in models of the structure and properties of self-consistent polar cap emission regions are reviewed. Several of the assumptions and uncertainties involved are discussed, and present problems are indicated.

Meszaros, P.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Some observational tests of X-ray pulsar emission models

The understanding of neutron star physics which relies heavily on knowing values of their mass, radius and magnetic field strength was studied. The only information about these till now comes from the surface radiation. Major uncertainties concerning the nature of the mass exchange and the accretion flow, the magnetopause structure, the infall deceleration, the actual pulsation mechanism and the atmosphere geometry are examined. The alternatives and several possible observational tests are discussed.

Meszaros, P.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Annihilation radiation from a hot e/+/-e/-/ plasma

The radiation from electron-positron annihilations in a plasma of temperature above 10 to the 8th K is investigated as a possible source of the emission line at energies between 400 and 460 keV frequently seen in gamma-ray bursts. The annihilation rate and luminosity of an optically thin electron-positron plasma and the energy distribution of the resulting annihilation radiation are calculated by the use of a Monte Carlo technique as functions of temperature. Results indicate the annihilation spectrum to be peaked at an energy of 0.511 MeV plus a temperature-dependent blueshift, and the annihilation line to be significantly temperature-broadened. The widths of the observed burst emission lines set an upper limit of 3 x 10 to the 8th K on the temperature of any pair annihilation region in burst sources, which is considerably lower than the typical kinetic temperatures of the radiating particles. It is thus inferred that either the annihilation region is nonthermal, or spatially distinct from the burst site.

Ramaty, R.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Matter accreting neutron stars

Some of the fundamental neutron star parameters, such as the mass and the magnetic field strength, were experimentally determined in accreting neutron star systems. Some of the relevant data and the models used to derive useful information from them, are reviewed concentrating mainly on X-ray pulsars. The latest advances in our understanding of the radiation mechanisms and the transfer in the strongly magnetized polar cap regions are discussed.

Meszaros, P.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Annihilation radiation from a hot e(+)-e(-) plasma

Pair annihilation in hot e(+)-e(-) plasmas is studied. The annihilation rate, luminosity and spectrum of optically thin plasmas of temperatures above 10 to the 8th power K are calculated by means of a Monte Carlo simulation. For a given temperature, the spectrum is peaked at an energy equal to 0.511 MeV plus a positive definite quantity of order kT. In high temperature sources, such as gamma ray bursts, this blue shift can amount to a significant fraction of 0.511 MeV. The annihilation line is also temperature broadened. The width varies as T to the 1/2 power for kT much less than 0.511 MeV, and as T for kT much greater than 0.511 MeV. The widths of the 400 to 460 keV emission lines observed from several gamma ray bursts set limits on the temperatures of the pair annihilation region in burst sources. The burst emission is either nonthermal or the pair annihilation region is spatially distinct from the site of the outburst itself.

Ramaty, R.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Directionality effects in the transfer of X-rays from a magnetized atmosphere: Beam pulse shape

A formalism is presented for radiation transfer in two normal polarization modes in finite and semiinfinite plane parallel uniform atmospheres with a magnetic field perpendicular to the surface and arbitrary propagation angles. This method is based on the coupled integral equations of transfer, including emission, absorption, and scattering. Calculations are performed for atmosphere parameters typical of X-ray pulsars. The directionality of the escaping radiation is investigated for several cases, varying the input distributions. Theoretical pencil beam profiles and X-ray pulse shapes are obtained assuming the radiation is emitted from the polar caps of spinning neutron stars. Implications for realistic models of accreting magnetized X-ray sources are briefly discussed.

Meszaros, P.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Origin of the 5 March 1979 gamma-ray transient - A vibrating neutron star

An unusual gamma-ray transient was observed on 5 March 1979, with 12 different instruments on 9 different spacecraft. The source position of the 5 March transient, determined to an accuracy of 1 x 2 arcmin, is consistent with the direction of the supernova remnant N49 in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Subsequent analysis of the data, by narrowing the source error box to an area of about 6 by 30 arcsec inside the supernova remnant, considerably strengthens this identification. It is proposed that a vibrating neutron star in the LMC is the source of the 5 March transient. This may be both the first detection of a vibrating neutron star and indirect evidence for gravitation radiation.

Ramaty, R.↗

NASA NTRS1980

On the origin of the March 5, 1979 gamma ray transient: A vibrating neutron star in the Large Magellanic Cloud

It is proposed that a vibrating neutron star in the Large Magellanic Cloud is the source of the March 5 transient. Neutron star vibrations transport energy rapidly to the surface, heat the atmosphere by wave dissipation, and decay by gravitational radiation reaction. The electromagnetic emission arises from e(+)-e(-) pairs which cool and annihilate in the strong magnetic field of the neutron star. The field also confines the pairs, and this allows the production of the redshifted annihilation feature observed in the data. The redshift implies a gravitational radiation damping time which agrees with the 0.15 second duration of the impulsive phase of the event. Thus, the March 5 transient may be both the first detection of a vibrating neutron star and indirect evidence for gravitational radiation.

Ramaty, R.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Theory of the accretion column and cyclotron radiation in X ray pulsars

The energetics of the decelerating matter in the accretion column of X-ray pulsars is considered, in particular the Coulomb process. A two zone model is presented to account for the continuum and cyclotron line emission, incorporating a fan-beam radiation scheme, which appears able to explain the observed properties.

Meszaros, P.↗

NASA NTRS1977

X-rays from massive black holes

Tidal disruption of nondegenerate stars is shown to provide an important heat source for gas accreting onto massive black holes (about 10 to 100 million solar masses) in galactic nuclei. Turbulent dissipation by accreting gas streams can also be significant, and the heat input suffices to give rise to temperatures above about 1 billion K, resulting in an appreciable hard X-ray luminosity.

Meszaros, P.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Ionization mechanisms of the intercloud medium

A generalized treatment of the ionization equilibrium of the intercloud medium is developed, which is model-independent in the steady-state approximation, and which is suited to an interpretation of ultraviolet absorption data. It is found that the most satisfactory models require the presence of density inhomogeneities along the line of sight. In all models considered for lambda Sco, 2-MeV cosmic rays and X rays are found to lead to large disagreements with the observations, and data on upsilon Sco, alpha Leo, and other stars seem to support this conclusion. Therefore, it would seem that these cannot be the physical agents responsible for the bulk of the ionization of the gas. An alternative model is developed, in which the ionization below 24.58 eV is provided by ultraviolet photons. This model appears to satisfy theoretical requirements, and leads to good agreement with the data.

Meszaros, P.↗

NASA NTRS1973

On the nature of the ionizing agents of the interstellar medium.

The ionization structure of the interstellar trace elements predicted by the steady-state cosmic-ray, X-ray, and ultraviolet star ionization models, even when allowance is made for the stellar H II region, is in disagreement with satellite observations of at least two stars. The conclusion is reached that, in some regions of the Galaxy, the flux of cosmic rays or X-rays is much smaller than was thought previously.

Meszaros, P.↗

NASA NTRS1973

On the ionization of the intercloud medium by ultraviolet stars.

Analysis of a recently proposed model of the ionization of the intercloud medium by ultraviolet stars, deriving the gas parameters and the ionization structure in the steady-state approximation. A comparison of the theoretical results with satellite ultraviolet observations, if these latter are typical of the intercloud gas and the effect of stellar H II regions is negligible, suggests that the model is unsatisfactory. The main disagreement is in the predicted relative abundances of the higher ionization stages of the trace elements, and in the ratios of successive stages.

Meszaros, P.↗