On the maximum luminosity in X-ray bursts

Abstract

A qualitative model is proposed which relates the burst behavior of 1608-52 observed by Murakami et al (1980) to the composition of the envelope in which the X-ray bursts occur. The model provides an explanation for the large scatter in the peak fluxes when the accretion rate is high. A flux would be transported outward at the top of the convective region which equals 1.5 to 2 times the Eddington limit appropriate to a helium-rich gas. Upon traversing the outer part of the accreted layer, which is not affected by the nuclear processes and is therefore hydrogen-rich, this flux is about a factor of 3 to 4 higher than the local value of the Eddington luminosity.