Magnetically Driven Warping, Precession and Resonances in Accretion Disks

Cornell University, Ithaca NY

Investigators

Abstract

Lai, Dong "Magnetically Driven Warping, Precession and Resonances in Accretion Disks" AST-9986740 Dr. Lai is conducting a theoretical and computational study of orbiting gas around accreting high gravity objects such as neutron stars. Special emphasis is placed on achieving a physical understanding of how strong magnetic fields drive the warping of an accretion disk, its precession and any resonances that develop. The problem is approached from several fronts: (1) basic calculations of the magnetic forces and torques for realistic magnetic field - disk geometry; (2) analytic and numerical modeling of the dynamics of warped precessing disks; and (3) comparison of the computed models to the observed spin evolution, oscillations and super-orbital variability of X-ray binaries. Funding for this project was provided by the NSF program for Stellar Astronomy & Astrophysics (AST/SAA). ***