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Paper: The Formation of PSR J0737-3039 – Proof of the Standard Evolutionary Model for Double Neutron Stars
Volume: 328, Binary Radio Pulsars
Page: 117
Authors: Dewi, J.D.M.; van den Heuvel, E.P.J.
Abstract: The observed characteristics of the PSR J0737−3039 system appear to confirm the "standard" evolutionary model for the formation of close double neutron stars. In this model the immediate progenitor of the double neutron star was a very close binary consisting of a helium star and a neutron star, which in turn descended from a wide X-ray binary consisting of a Be star and a neutron star. The helium star was the immediate progenitor of the pulsar B in the system, whereas the pulsar A was the first-born neutron star, which underwent a complex history with accretion of mass and angular momentum, first from the Be star and later, by Roche-lobe overflow, from the helium star. This accretion made its magnetic field decay and caused its spin to become very rapid. Pulsar B, being the second-born neutron star, never underwent accretion and resembles, as expected, the "normal" single strong-magnetic-field pulsars in the Galaxy.
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