Radiative corrections to the neutron star mass inferred from QPO frequencies

Abstract

The frequencies of kHz QPOs are widely interpreted as being indicative of the values of characteristic frequencies related to orbital motion around neutron stars, e.g., the radial epicyclic frequency. In regions directly exposed to the radiation from the luminous neutron star these frequencies change with the luminosity. Including radiative corrections will change the neutron star mass value inferred from the QPO frequencies. Radiative forces may also be behind the puzzling phenomenon of parallel tracks.