Low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) are binary systems made up of a compact object, either a black hole (BH) or neutron star (NS), and a low-mass stellar companion. Mass is transferred from the star to the compact object via Roche Lobe overflow through the inner Lagrange point. A given LMXB can go through a period of increased mass accretion rate called an `outburst', producing luminous, variable emission from radio to X-ray energies, which can last between weeks and months. The earliest sign of an LMXB going into outburst is thought to be a sharp increase in radio, optical and X-ray flux.
I am interested in many facets of X-ray binaries, however, my current focus is on a growing class of systems called 'False Widows' named after their similarities to spider pulsars in which ionising radiation from the pulsar/inner accretion flow remove material (ablation) from the campion star and 'eat' it.