Magnetic fields of neutron stars in X-ray binaries

Understand

A substantial fraction of the known neutron stars resides in X-ray binaries -- systems in which one compact object accretes matter from a companion star.

• Neutron stars in X-ray binaries have magnetic fields among the highest found in the Universe, spanning at least the range from $\sim10^8$ to several 10$^{13}$ G.
• The magnetospheres around these neutron stars have a strong influence on the accretion process, which powers most of their emission.
• The magnetic field intensity and geometry, are among the main factors responsible for the large variety of spectral and timing properties observed in the X-ray energy range, making these objects unique laboratories to study the matter behavior and the radiation processes in magnetic fields unaccessible on Earth.