The Evolution of Galactic X-Ray Binaries: (167 Nato Science Series C:)

The idea to hold a conference on the Evolution of Close-Binary X-ray sources grew in the summer of 1984. At that time we were hoping that some new results would be harvested in the months to come which would stimulate further work. We were particularly looking towards the Euro- pean X-ray Observatory, EXOSAT, for new contributions. How lucky we were; quite unexpected developments took place. Just prior to the conference, quasi-periodic oscillations (now known as QPO) were discovered in three bright low-mass X-ray binaries: GX 5-1, Sco X-1, and Cyg X-2. They played an important role at the meeting. The possibility that QPOs imply a neutron star magnetic dipole field, and a neutron star rotation period in the millisecond range, received a lot of attention. This is not surprising, as it lends support to the idea, suggested earlier, that the 6-msec binary radio pulsar PSR 1953+29 evolved from a stage in which it was a bright low-mass X-ray binary. There was special interest in the possibility of white dwarf collapse into a neutron star. This is a. particularly attractive way to form the bright low-mass X-ray binaries, often referred to as galactic bulge sources. It would allow for the possibility of a very young neutron star in a very old binary system. The relatively high magnetic fields that one could infer from QPO could then be explained.

Table of Contents:
The Role of Binaries in Globular Cluster Evolution.- Common Envelope Evolution.- Origin and Evolution of X-Ray Binaries in Globular Clusters.- A Note on the Nature of the Secondaries in Ultra-Compact Binaries.- Wind Fed X-Ray Binaries.- The Three Types of High Mass X-Ray Pulsator.- Orbital Period Changes in Massive X-Ray Binaries.- From Wide to Close Binaries?.- Evolution of Close Binaries and the Formation of Neutron Stars.- Quasi-Periodic Oscillations in GX 5-1 and SCO X-1.- Quasi-Periodic Oscillations in the X-Ray Flux of CYG X-2 and Their Relation to the Source Spectra.- Quasi-Periodic Oscillations as a Probe of Galactic-Bulge X-Ray Sources.- On the Nature of the Quasiperiodic Oscillations of Low Mass X-Ray Binaries.- The Duration of the Detached Phase in Low-Mass X-Ray Binaries in which the Neutron Star was Formed by Accretion-Induced Collapse of a White Dwarf.- Some Remarks on Classifications of Low-Mass X-Ray Binaries.- Two Spectral Components and Their Luminosity-Related Changes of Low-Mass Binary X-Ray Sources.- The Evolution of Low Mass Binary Systems.- Eclipse of a Bright Spot in the Disk of Her X-1.- The Orbital Periods of the Low Mass X-Ray Binaries.- Exosat Observations of the 35-Day Cycle of Her X-1; Evidence for Neutron Star Precession.- Timing Analysis of the Galactic Bulge X-Ray Source GX 17+2.- On the Evolution of Her X-1.- Do Neutron Star Magnetic Fields Decay?.- Secular Evolution of Cataclysmic Binaries.- The Evolution of Magnetic Cataclysmic Variables.- Variability of Apparent Radii in the Decay Part of Type I X-Ray Bursts.