Long-period gamma-ray binaries

Pak Hin Tam, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China - 5.12.16

Abstract:

Gamma-ray binaries comprise gamma-ray emitting binary systems where a compact object orbits around a massive stellar companion. Only a handful of such systems are known to date, and only in one case the compact object is confirmed to be a pulsar: PSR B1259-63/LS 2883. The high-energy emissions of pulsar gamma-ray binaries are believed to be resulting from the interaction between the pulsar wind and stellar wind. The pulsar wind properties, especially its magnetization, is a long-standing problem in astrophysics. Since the orbits of long period gamma-ray binaries are typically highly eccentric, studying the high-energy emissions from pulsar gamma-ray binaries will help us to probe pulsar winds at various length scales. In this talk, I will report on the recent observations of Pulsar/Be Binary System PSR J2032+4127/MT91 213 at high energies, which likely has an orbital period of about 50 years. I will also talk about the gamma-ray binary candidate HESS J1832-093.