The IXPE View of Neutron Star Low-Mass X-ray Binaries
/ Authors
F. Ursini, A. Gnarini, F. Capitanio, A. Bobrikova, M. Cocchi, A. Di Marco, S. Fabiani, R. Farinelli, F. La Monaca, J. Rankin
and 2 more authors
/ Abstract
Low-mass X-ray binaries hosting weakly magnetized neutron stars (NS-LMXBs) are among the brightest sources in the X-ray sky. Since 2021, the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) has provided new measurements of the X-ray polarization of these sources. IXPE observations have revealed that most NS-LMXBs are significantly polarized in the X-rays, providing unprecedented insight into the geometry of their accretion flow. In this review paper, we summarize the first results obtained by IXPE on NS-LMXBs, the emerging trends within each class of sources (atoll/Z), and possible physical interpretations.
Journal: Galaxies