Population Syntheses for Neutron Star Systems with Intrinsic Kicks

Abstract

We use a Monte Carlo binary synthesis code to model the formation and evolution of neutron star systems including high-mass X-ray binaries, low-mass X-ray binaries, double neutron star systems, and radio pulsars. Our focus is on the signature imprinted on such systems due to natal kicks to neutron stars over and above that imparted by orbital motions. The code incorporates the effect of the galactic potential (including rotation) on the velocities of these systems. A comparison between our models and the observations leads us to infer mean natal kicks ≥400-500 km s-1. Moreover, to be consistent with all the data, we require a bimodal kick distribution with one peak in the distribution near 0 km s-1 and the other above 600 km s-1. © 1998. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.