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# Optical studies of the X-ray transient XTE J2123-058 -I. Photometry

## 1 Introduction

Soft X-ray transients (SXTs) are a subclass of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) that are characterized by episodic X-ray outbursts (usually lasting for several months), when the X-ray luminosities can increase by as much as a factor of 107 (van Paradijs & McClintock, 1995). The observed optical flux is generated by X-ray re-processing in the accretion disc and the companion star. These outbursts recur on a time scale of decades, but in the interim the SXTs are in a state of quiescence and the optical emission is dominated by the radiation of the faint companion star. This offers the best opportunity to analyze the properties of this star and obtain dynamical information which eventually enables us to constrain the nature of the compact object. There are currently 12 SXTs with identified optical counterparts, with 8 dynamical black-holes and 3 confirmed neutron stars: CenX-4, Aql X-1 and 1608-522 (van Paradijs & McClintock, 1995). In addition, there are a few neutron star binaries exhibiting X–ray on and off states ( EXO0748–676, 4U 2129+47 and SAX J1748.9–2021 ), although they are not classified as SXTs because they do not show the classic fast rise and slow exponential/linear decay.

The X-ray transient J2123–058 was discovered on 29 June 1998 by the Rossi X-Ray Time Explorer (RXTE) (Levine et al. 1989) reaching a peak X-ray flux of 100 mCrabs (2-12 keV). Its high Galactic latitude (b=-36.2) is unusual among transients, an indication that J2123–058 might be a member of the galactic halo population. The optical counterpart was promptly identified with a variable star of R=17.2 (Tomsick et al. 1998a), which was only marginally visible on a digitized U.K. Schmidt plate, suggesting a preoutburst magnitude R$``$20 (Zurita et al. 1998). Spectra obtained early in the outburst showed strong high-excitation lines of He ii $`\lambda `$4686, C iii/N iii $`\lambda `$4640 and weak Balmer emission embedded in broad absorptions (Tomsick et al. 1998a, Hynes et al. 1999). These features are frequently observed in SXTs during outburst (e.g. Callanan et al 1995) and persistent LMXBs (e.g. Augusteijn et al. 1998). Type-I (thermonuclear) bursts have been detected both in X-rays (Takeshima and Strohmayer 1998) and optical (Tomsick et al. 1998b), a signature of a neutron star in the binary. The outburst light curve exhibited regular 0.7 mag deep triangular-shaped minima repeating every 6hrs (Casares et al. 1998, Tomsick et al. 1998b), a strong indication of high inclination. This provided the first evidence for the system orbital period (P= 5.957$`\pm `$0.003) which was later confirmed by a radial velocity study of the Heii $`\lambda `$4686 emission line (Hynes et al. 1998). In addition, Ilovaisky and Chevalier (1998) reported the presence of a 0.3 mag modulation with a period of 7.2 days, probably caused by the precessing disc. Since 26 Aug the system had settled down to its quiescent state at R$``$21.7 (Zurita & Casares 1998).

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive set of observations that have led to detailed optical light curves from outburst through the decay into quiescence. Our spectroscopy will be the subject of a second paper (Hynes et al. 2000).

| Date | HJD(∗) | Exp/Filter | Telescope |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Jul02 98 | -3 | 1xR | IAC80 0.8m(1) |
| Jul04 ” | -1 | 1xB,1xV,1xR | IAC80 0.8m |
| Jul06 ” | 01 | 80xR | OGS 1m(2) |
| Jul07 ” | 02 | 79xR | OGS 1m |
| Jul08 ” | 03 | 20xR | OGS 1m |
| Jul09 ” | 04 | 33xR | OGS 1m |
| Jul10 ” | 05 | 20xR | OGS 1m |
| Jul12 ” | 07 | 42xR | OGS 1m |
| Jul13 ” | 08 | 24xR | OGS 1m |
| Jul14 ” | 09 | 2xV | M. Canopus 1m(3) |
| Jul16 ” | 11 | 2xV | M. Canopus 1m |
| Jul18 ” | 13 | 1xB,1xV,1xR | M. Canopus 1m |
| Jul19 ” | 14 | 40xBV | Crimean 0.5m(4) |
|  |  | 36xR | Crimean 1.25 m(5) |
|  |  | 2xB,2xV,2xR | M. Canopus 1m |
| Jul20 ” | 15 | 42xBV | Crimean 0.5m |
|  |  | 74xR | Crimean 1.25m |
|  |  | 1xB,5xV,1xR | M. Canopus 1m |
| Jul21 ” | 16 | 36xBV | Crimean 0.5m |
|  |  | 94xR | Crimean 1.25m |
| Jul22 ” | 17 | 25xBV | Crimean 0.5m |
|  |  | 43xR | Crimean 1.25m |
| Jul23 ” | 18 | 48xBV | Crimean 0.5m |
|  |  | 45xR | Crimean 1.25m |
| Jul24 ” | 19 | 61xR | Kryonerion 1.2m(6) |
|  |  | 55xBV | Crimean 0.5m |
| Jul26 ” | 21 | 70xR | OGS 1m |
|  |  | 46xBV | Crimean 0.5m |
| Jul27 ” | 22 | 77xR | OGS 1m |
|  |  | 33xBV | Crimean 0.5m |
| Jul28 ” | 23 | 77xR | OGS 1m |
|  |  | 40xBV | Crimean 0.5m |
| Jul29 ” | 24 | 74xR | OGS 1m |
|  |  | 49xBV | Crimean 0.5m |
| Jul30 ” | 25 | 81xR | OGS 1m |
|  |  | 33xBV | Crimean 0.5m |
| Jul31 ” | 26 | 40xBV | Crimean 0.5m |

| Date | HJD(∗) | Exp/Filter | Telescope |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Aug01 98 | 27 | 23xBV | Crimean 0.5m |
|  |  | 4xR | Crimean 0.38m |
| Aug02 ” | 28 | 1xR | IAC80 0.8m |
| Aug03 ” | 29 | 1xR | IAC80 0.8m |
| Aug04 ” | 30 | 2xR | Crimean 0.38m |
|  |  | 1xR | IAC80 0.8m |
| Aug05 ” | 31 | 2xR | Crimean 0.38m |
| Aug12 ” | 38 | 1xR | IAC80 0.8m |
| Aug15 ” | 41 | 12xR | IAC80 0.8m |
| Aug16 ” | 42 | 26xR | IAC80 0.8m |
| Aug17 ” | 43 | 8xR | IAC80 0.8m |
| Aug19 ” | 45 | 3xV,1xR | M. Canopus 1m |
| Aug26 ” | 52 | 18xR | OGS 1m |
|  |  | 1xV | IAC80 0.8m |
| Aug27 ” | 53 | 14xR | OGS 1m |
| Sep02 ” | 59 | 4xR | IAC80 0.8m |
| Sep23 ” | 80 | 11xR | OGS 1m |
| Sep24 ” | 81 | 8xR | OGS 1m |
| Sep25 ” | 82 | 5xR | OGS 1m |
| Sep26 ” | 83 | 5xR | OGS 1m |
| Jun21 99 | 351 | 1xR,1xV,1xI | JKT 1m(7) |

HJD–2451000
1IAC80–80cm Telescope in the Observatorio del Teide (Tenerife).
2 1 m Optical Ground Station in the Observatorio del Teide (Tenerife).
3 Mount Canopus 1m telescope at Tasmania.
4 0.5m telescope at Crimea
5 1.25m reflector of SAI Crimean Station.
6 1.2m telescope at the Kryonerion Astronomical station of the National Observatory of Athens at Kryonerio of Korinthia.
7 1m Jacobus Kapteyn Telescope in the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (La Palma).

## 2 Observations and Data Reduction

We observed J2123-058 during the period 1998 July–September with the IAC80 and 1m Optical Ground Station (OGS) in the Observatorio del Teide (Tenerife), the 1.25m SAI Station and 0.5m and 0.38m telescopes at Crimea, the Mount Canopus 1m telescope at Tasmania and the 1.2m telescope at the Kryonerion Astronomical station of the National Observatory of Athens at Kryonerio of Korinthia. On the night of 21 of June of 1999, we obtained VRI images, using the 1m Jacobus Kapteyn Telescope in the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (La Palma). The integration times ranged from 1 to 40 min, depending on the telescope, atmospheric conditions and the brightness of the target. The observing log is presented in Table 1. All images were corrected for bias and flat-fielded in the standard way.

We applied aperture photometry to our object and several nearby comparison stars within the field of view, using iraf. We selected four comparison stars which were checked for variability during each night, and over the entire data set. We calibrated the data was using 9 standard stars from several fields (Landolt 1992), from which we constructed a colour dependent calibration. The Crimean data in R were calibrated relative to the nearby comparison star from the USNO catalogue which was also in to the previous calibrated data. White light photometry was also obtained in Crimea using a 0.5m telescope equipped with a TV detector. The TV camera operates in the range $`\lambda \lambda `$3500–8000 with maximum sensitivity at $`\lambda `$4000 and effective wavelength at $`\lambda _{eff}`$4851. Magnitudes were measured relative to a nearby star from the USNO catalogue which was calibrated at B and V wavelengths. ’Equivalent BV magnitudes’, were calculated by interpolating the fluxes in B and V to find the flux at the effective wavelength of the TV detector. For further details see Pavlenko, Prokofieva & Dolgushin (1989).

## 3 Light Curves

### 3.1 Long term light curve

Figure 1 compares the overall light curve of J2123–058 in optical (VR bands) and X-rays (2–12 keV). The long-term behaviour in X-rays shows a classical FRED (fast-rise exponential-decay) morphology, with characteristic e-folding times of 2.4 d (rise) and 19 d (decay). These time scales coincide with the mean values of the distributions of SXTs (Chen, Shrader & Livio 1997). Twenty days after the peak of the outburst, the X-ray intensity reaches a secondary maximum (of less than half of the peak intensity). The secondary maximum is also suggested by our optical data.

We identify 3 different stages in the optical light curve: the outburst plateau (until $``$ 10 Aug), the decay phase ($``$ 10–26 Aug) and quiescence (from $``$ 26 Aug). In the plateau phase the object brightness decays at a moderately slow rate of $``$ 0.03 mag$``$day-1 although a modulation is clearly visible in the nightly mean magnitudes. The time scale of this variability is consistent with the 7-d modulation attributed to disc precession by Ilovaisky & Chevalier (1998). From $``$ 10 Aug the optical light curve began an abrupt fall at a rate of $``$ 0.2 mag$``$day-1 before reaching quiescence on 26 Aug at R=21.7 (see Figure 1).

Taking V(peak)$``$17.2 and V(quiescent)$``$22.9, we estimate a total outburst amplitude of 5.7 mags. Using the empirical relation $`\mathrm{\Delta }`$V=14.36-7.6$`\mathrm{lg}`$Porb(hr) (Shahbaz & Kuulkers 1998), we would expect a total amplitude $`\mathrm{\Delta }`$V$``$8.4, 2.7 mags larger that what is observed. This difference can be explained by 3 effects: (1) the outburst brightness of the disc being reduced by a factor cos(i), since the disc would be foreshorted by the high binary inclination angle, (2) we are also assuming that the quiescent flux is completely dominated by the companion star with no veiling from the accretion disc and (3) if the secondary star is sufficiently evolved for it to be degenerate it would appear intrinsically fainter. We believe the discrepancy is due to a combination of these effects and can only be resolved by obtaining optical spectroscopy in quiescence.

We see evidence for optical bursts both during outburst (29 July with an amplitude of 0.3 mag) and at the onset of quiescence (27 Aug and 2 Sept with amplitudes larger than 1 mag). The optical bursts observed during the ourburst decay is most probably caused by re-processing of X-ray bursts. However, the origin of the optical bursts observed during the onset of quiesence is more puzzling, given that the source had almost reached its quiescent (low luminosity) X-ray state. Note that no simultaneous X-ray observations exist, which might shed light on the origin of these optical flashes observed during quiescence.

Our V and ’BV’ (Figure 1), show that the BV magnitudes drop faster than R. Moreover the amplitudes in BV and R increase during the decay. Figure 2 presents colour information of J2123-058 as a function of time. Although we cannot directly compare the ’BV’–R colour with V–R it is clear from the plot that the system redden as the outburst decays and the secondary’s contribution increases. In quiescence, we obtained an upper limit to the quiescent V magnitude through 2x2400s images of J2123–058 with the IAC80 telescope. We also have a marginal detection in V on the night of 21 Jun 1999 using the JKT telescope. Our colours are consistent with the spectral type of a late–K main sequence star.

### 3.2 The orbital light curve

Representative light curves of J2123-058 in different stages of the outburst cycle are presented in Figure 3. The data have been folded on the updated ephemeris given by Zurita & Casares (1998): HJD 2451042.639(5) + 0.24821(3) E. Note the dramatic changes in amplitude and morphology of the light curves as the outburst decays.

The July light curves are flat topped with broad triangular minima. They have a full amplitude of 0.7 mag and are reminiscent of the 5.1 hr period eclipsing transient EXO 0748–676, although its long term behaviour is characterized by high and low X-ray/optical states rather than transient outbursts. We also find similarities with the eclipsing LMXB source 2A1822–371 whose complex optical light curve has been successfully modeled by X-ray heating and partial occultation of a thick non-axisymmetric accretion disc and a faint companion (Mason et al. 1980). Asymmetries in the eclipse minima, are also seen in J2123-058 on individual nights and also in the curves by Tomsick et al. 1998.

On the other hand, the light curve of Aug 16 is almost sinusoidal and shows a peak-to-peak amplitude of $``$1.4 mag. It resembles the outburst light curve of the 5.2 hr neutron star system 4U 2129+47, where the large amplitude has been attributed to X-ray reprocessed radiation from the heated face of the optical star (Thorstensen et al.1979). Note, however, that at the onset of the fast optical decay ($``$10 Aug) the X-ray flux had already dropped by a factor $``$ 10 with respect to the outburst peak. Note also the presence of two narrow 0.2 mag dips at phases 0 and 0.5 which suggest the presence of grazing eclipses.

Finally, the quiescent light curve displays a characteristic ellipsoidal modulation from the secondary star: a double-humped variation with a full amplitude of $``$0.4 mag. This light curve was produced by phase binning the entire quiescent data (from Aug 26 on) after detrending the night-to-night variability using a linear fit.

## 4 Distance estimate

In the context of King & Ritter’s (1998), the X-ray exponential decay seen in J2123-058 indicates that irradiation is strong enough to ionize the entire accretion disc. Also, a secondary maximum is expected one irradiated-state viscous time after the onset of the outburst and it can be used to calibrate the peak X-ray luminosity and hence the distance to the source $`D_{\mathrm{kpc}}`$ through

$$D_{\mathrm{kpc}}=4.3\times 10^5t_s^{3/2}\eta ^{1/2}f^{1/2}F_p^{1/2}\tau _d^{1/2}$$

where $`F_p`$ is the peak X-ray flux, $`t_s`$ the time of the secondary maximum after the peak of the outburst in days, $`\tau _d`$ the e-folding time of the decay in days, $`\eta `$ the radiation efficiency parameter and $`f`$ the ratio of the disc mass at the start of the outburst to the maximum possible mass (Shahbaz, Charles & King 1998). In our case, $`\tau _d`$=19 d, $`t_s`$20 d and $`F_p`$ can be estimated from the XTE count rate (6 counts s-1 in the energy range 2-12 keV) which corresponds to 1.84 $`\times `$ 10-9 erg cm-2 s-1. Assuming $`\eta `$=0.15 and $`f`$=0.5 we find $`D_{\mathrm{kpc}}`$ = 5.7.

Alternatively, we can estimate the distance to the source by comparing the quiescent magnitude with the absolute magnitude of a main sequence star which fits within the Roche lobe of a 6hr period orbit. Combining Paczynski’s (1971) expression for the averaged radius of a Roche lobe with Kepler’s Third Law we get the well-known relationship between the secondary’s mean density and the orbital period: $`\rho =110/P_{\mathrm{hr}}^2`$ (g cm-3). Substituting the orbital period of J2123–058 we obtain $`\rho `$=3.1 g cm-3 which corresponds to a K7V secondary star with mass $``$0.6 M and absolute magnitude $`M_R`$ 7. The dereddened quiescent magnitude is R=21.4 (using AV=0.37$`\pm `$0.15 as derived from the NaD1 line; see Hynes et al. 1998) which yields $`D_{\mathrm{kpc}}`$ = 7.7. Strictly speaking, this is a lower limit to the distance as we are neglecting any contribution by the accretion disc to the quiescent optical flux. However, note that the true distance is probably not too far off 8 kpc since our quiescence light curve does not show strong evidence for disc contamination (see section 5 and Figure 6). A conservative limit can therefore be provided by assuming a 50 percent contribution by the accretion disc to the continuum light. Allowing for 50 percent disc contamination (as observed in J0422+32, a black-hole transient with comparable orbital period; see Casares et al. 1995) we obtain R=22.2 for the companion star and hence $`D_{\mathrm{kpc}}`$ = 10.8. Hereafter we will adopt $`D_{\mathrm{kpc}}=8\pm 3`$ which is consistent, at the lower end, with other estimates based on photospheric expansion models of the X-ray bursts (Homan et al 1999, Tomsick et al 1999). A spectral type determination of the companion star is essential to refine this distance estimate.

## 5 Modelling

In an attempt to interpret the different light curves and derive the system parameters, we have used a model based on the work by de Jong et al. (1996, also see references included). The model assumes a flared accretion disc of the form $`hr^{9/7}`$ (with $`h`$ and $`r`$ the disc height and radius respectively) and a Roche lobe filling secondary and accounts for X-ray heating, shadowing effects and mutual eclipses of the disc and the secondary. The disc is assumed to radiate as a blackbody with a radial temperature distribution calculated according to Vrtilek et al. (1990). The intensity distribution on the secondary star is computed using Kurucz model atmospheres. The albedo of the accretion disc and the companion star are fixed to 0.95 and 0.40 respectively, following the results of de Jong et al (1996). The model parameters are the binary inclination (i), mass ratio (q=M1/M2), the accretion disc radius (Rdisc) defined as a fraction of the distance to the inner Lagrangian point (R$`_{\mathrm{L}_1}`$), the flaring angle of the accretion disc ($`\alpha `$) and the X-ray luminosity (Lx).

In order to model the outburst light curve we have averaged our best quality light curves of the plateau phase (26-30 July) in 29 phase bins. Using Lx=1.3$`\times `$ 1037 erg s-1 (for $`D_{\mathrm{kpc}}`$ = 8) and M2=0.6 M we performed a least-squares fit to the data. Our best fit solution gave a reduced chi squared $`\chi _\nu ^2`$ of 1.36 for $`i`$=76.0$`\pm `$1.0 degrees, Rdisc=0.75$`{}_{0.03}{}^{}{}_{}{}^{+0.06}`$ R$`_{\mathrm{L}_1}`$, $`\alpha `$=7.6$`{}_{0.2}{}^{}{}_{}{}^{+1.0}`$ degrees and $`q`$=4.6$`{}_{0.2}{}^{}{}_{}{}^{+0.5}`$. The uncertainties quoted are at the 99 percent confidence level and were obtained by grid searching the parameter of interest whilst optimizing the other model parameters. We have also rescaled the $`\chi _\nu ^2`$ values so that the minimum $`\chi _\nu ^2`$ is 1. The best model fit to the outburst data is shown in Figure 4 (solid line). In order to examine the effects of changing M2, we fitted the outburst data with M2=0.1M (Figure 4 – dotted line). We find that the derived parameters are the same, within the errors: $`\chi _\nu ^2=1.5`$, $`i`$=75.3$`{}_{1.2}{}^{}{}_{}{}^{+0.8}`$ degrees, Rdisc=0.83$`\pm `$0.05 R$`_{\mathrm{L}_1}`$, $`q`$=3.4$`\pm `$0.4, $`\alpha `$=8.8$`{}_{1.2}{}^{}{}_{}{}^{+0.8}`$ degrees. Regarding the decay stage, we have fitted the light curve of 16 Aug binned into 20 phase bins, when the X-ray luminosity was an order of magnitude lower, Lx=1.3$`\times `$1036 erg s-1. We fitted the decay stage data with this X-ray luminosity and M2=0.6M. Our best fit solution gave a reduced $`\chi _\nu `$ of 1.51 for $`i`$=72.0$`\pm `$3.0 degrees, Rdisc=0.56$`\pm `$0.06 R$`_{\mathrm{L}_1}`$, $`\alpha `$=5.7$`\pm `$0.5 degrees and $`q`$=4.2 ($`q`$ could not be constrained with this data set). The best model fit to the decay stage data is shown in Figure 5. Again 99 per cent confidence levels are quoted.

In Figure 6, we show the quiescent light curve which exhibits the characteristic ellipsoidal modulation of the secondary star: i.e. two equal maxima and two unequal minima. The minimun at phase 0.5 is expected to be deeper than the minimum at phase 0.0 because gravity darkening is more pronounced near the inner Lagrangian point $`L_1`$. This effect is important for high inclination systems (see eg. Avni and Bahcall, 1974). In the figure we also show model plots using i=73, q=4.6 (values which are consistent with those derived from the decay and outburst data), and no X–ray heating. The solid and dotted lines show plots with zero and 50 percent disc contamination. The former model probably best describes the data.

## 6 Discussion

XTE J2123–058 is a remarkable neutron star binary. Our optical light curve shows marked orbital modulations with dramatic variations as the outburst declines. These are very similar to the modulations observed in accretion disc corona (ADC) sources of comparable orbital periods (e.g. 4U 2129+47 and 2A 1822–371; see eg. McClintock et al. 1980 and Mason et al. 1982) although none of these are transient systems.

The X-ray light curve displays the classic SXT properties, namely a FRED morphology with typical e-folding rise and decay times and secondary maximum. Furthermore, the ratio of X-ray to optical luminosity \[$`\xi =B_0+2.5\mathrm{log}F_\mathrm{x}(\mu \mathrm{Jy})`$\] is also in excellent agreement with the observed distribution of LMXBs. Taking B=17.28 (Tomsick et al. 1998a) and F$`{}_{\mathrm{x}}{}^{}(212keV)100`$ mCrab (Levine, Swank & Smith 1998) at the outburst peak and assuming $`A_\mathrm{v}=0.37`$ (Hynes et al 1998) we obtain $`\xi `$=21.9, whereas the distribution peak of LMXBs gives $`\xi `$=21.8 $`\pm `$ 1.0 (see van Paradijs & McClintock 1995). This result implies that, despite its high inclination, the X-ray source in J2123-058 is not hidden by the accretion disc (i.e. $`\alpha `$90–i). This is consistent with the values our model favors for the binary inclination (i=73) and disc flaring angle ($`\alpha `$=5.7 – 7.6).

The longterm evolution of the optical light curve can be compared to those of other SXTs (e.g. GRO J0422+32, A0620-00, N. Muscae 91). They show a slow linear decay followed by a steeper fall. We find that J2123–058 also reproduces this behaviour, although the total amplitude and time scales are a factor of $``$ 2 shorter (see e.g. Callanan et al 1995).

We have modeled our R-band light curves of J2123–058 at different stages of the outburst including the obscuration effects and X-ray heating of the secondary star accretion disc. This led us to constrain the system inclination to i=73$`{}_{}{}^{}\pm 4`$. We find encouraging the excellent agreement between the inclination values obtained for the two independent light curves (July 26-30 and 16 Aug) during which $`L_\mathrm{x}`$ has dropped by one order of magnitude. The light curves at the plateau phase (July) are very similar to those of EXO 0748–676 and 2A 1822–371 with an extended depression of the luminosity from phase $``$0.7 until the eclipse and a steeper rise to maximum (see Mason et al. 1980 and Schmidtke et al 1987). Our model fit indicates that the accretion disc is the dominant source of light and the triangular shaped minima can be interpreted as eclipses of the accretion disc by the secondary star together with the changing aspect of the heated polar caps of the companion star. The dramatic changes observed in the light curves during decline, are triggered by large changes in the disc size and geometry. Our fit to the decay data (16 Aug) demands a thinner and smaller accretion disc which implies a smaller fraction of the disc is X-ray heated. Conversely, the secondary star is more exposed to the X-ray radiation and therefore the total amplitude of the modulation increases by a factor of 2 (to $`1.4`$ mag). The resulting light curve has a sinusoidal-like shape and is reminiscent of the LMXBs 4U 2129+47(=V1727 Cygni) and HZ Her. Our model fits implies a change of $``$30 percent in the disc size, as the system fades by 1.7 mags in the optical. The change in the radius of the disc size is what one expects. If angular momentum is transported outwards in the disc through viscous processes, then at outburst, since matter diffuses inwards, the angular momentum of that matter has to be transfered to the outer parts of the disc, and the radius of the disc is expected to expand. When the system is decaying, after the end of the mass transfer enhancement, the disc shrinks to its original radius (Livio & Verbunt 1988; Ichikawa & Osaki 1992). Observations of U Gem, Z Cha, OY Car, HT Car show that the accretion discs are indeed larger in outburst than in quiescence (Smak 1984b; O’Donohuge 1986; Harrop-Allin & Warner 1996). Comparing our results with disc radius variation in U Gem (Smak 1984a), we find approximately the same rate ofdecrease.

## 7 Acknowledgments

Part of this work is based on observations made with the European Space Agency OGS telescope operated on the island of Tenerife by the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias in the Spanish Observatorio del Teide of the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias.

We are grateful to M. Serra–Ricart, D.Alcalde, A.Gomez and P. Rodriguez–Gil for performing some of the observations. We are thank A. Dapergolas, E.T. Harlaftis and D. Galloway for making their data available to us. JC acknowledges support by the Spanish Ministry of Science grant 1995-1132-02-01.We thank J. van Paradijs and the Amsterdam group for the use of their X–ray binary model.

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# Supernovae versus Neutron Star Mergers as the Major 𝑟-Process Sources

## 1. Introduction

All of the actinides and approximately half of the stable nuclei with mass numbers $`A100`$ in the solar system were produced by rapid neutron capture, the $`r`$-process. While the astrophysical site of this process remains a mystery, the main candidate environments are neutrino-heated ejecta from core-collapse supernovae (SNe; Woosley & Hoffman 1992; Meyer et al. 1992; Takahashi, Witti, & Janka 1994; Woosley et al. 1994) and decompressed ejecta from neutron star mergers (NSMs; Lattimer & Schramm 1974, 1976; Symbalisty & Schramm 1982; Freiburghaus, Rosswog, & Thielemann 1999b). To be a major source for the $`r`$-process, an environment must satisfy two criterions: one on reproducing the solar $`r`$-process abundance pattern and the other on supplying the total amount of $`r`$-process material in the present Galaxy. Using more physical parametrizations than the previous approach based on constant neutron number density and temperature (e.g., Kratz et al. 1993), several recent studies (Hoffman, Woosley, & Qian 1997; Meyer & Brown 1997; Freiburghaus et al. 1999a) derived the $`r`$-process conditions that can produce relative abundance patterns with peaks at $`A130`$ and 195 as observed in the solar system. At present, it seems that conditions in models of neutrino-heated ejecta from SNe are deficient (e.g., Qian & Woosley 1996) while those in models of decompressed ejecta from NSMs are promising (e.g., Freiburghaus et al. 1999b) for an $`r`$-process. However, due to the uncertainties in the theoretical models (e.g., Qian & Woosley 1996; Freiburghaus et al. 1999b), a reliable comparison of the actual conditions in these two environments with the $`r`$-process conditions cannot be made yet to help establish or discriminate either environment as the $`r`$-process site. Furthermore, for both environments the models showed that if the ejecta were composed of $`r`$-process material, then the amount provided by a single event combined with the estimated number of SNe or NSMs over Galactic history would be adequate to account for the present Galactic $`r`$-process inventory (e.g., Mathews & Cowan 1990; Qian & Woosley 1996; Rosswog et al. 1999). Therefore, the above two criterions cannot readily identify SNe or NSMs as the major $`r`$-process sources.

In this Letter I discuss a phenomenological approach to test SNe and NSMs as the major $`r`$-process sources. By considering mixing of the ejecta from an individual event with the interstellar medium (ISM), I show that observations of metal-poor stars are difficult to explain if NSMs are the major $`r`$-process sources (§2). I further show that a self-consistent picture of $`r`$-process enrichment by SNe based on the same consideration is supported by meteoritic data on 182Hf and 129I in the early solar system and by observations of metal-poor stars (§3). To emphasize the importance of observations in establishing the major $`r`$-process sources, I conclude with a discussion of two possible direct tests of the SN $`r`$-process model: gamma rays from decay of $`r`$-process nuclei in SN remnants and surface contamination of the companion by SN $`r`$-process ejecta in binaries (§4).

## 2. $`r`$-Process Abundances and Neutron Star Mergers

I assume that as far as the $`r`$-process is concerned, the mergering of a neutron star (NS) with a black hole (BH) is similar to that of two neutron stars. These two kinds of events are collectively referred to as NSMs. The rate of such events in the Galaxy is quite uncertain. Here I take an average rate $`f_\mathrm{G}^{\mathrm{NSM}}(10^4\mathrm{yr})^1`$ over Galactic history, which is at the very high end of various estimates (e.g., Phinney 1991; Bethe & Brown 1998; Arzoumanian, Cordes, & Wasserman 1999). Numerical simulations of a NS-NS merger event by Rosswog et al. (1999) showed that a total mass $`M_{\mathrm{ej}}^{\mathrm{NSM}}4\times (10^3`$$`10^2)M_{}`$ of decompressed NS material may be ejected. Then the grand total from all the past NSMs over Galactic history of $`t_\mathrm{G}10^{10}`$ yr is $`M_{\mathrm{ej}}^{\mathrm{NSM}}f_\mathrm{G}^{\mathrm{NSM}}t_\mathrm{G}4\times (10^3`$$`10^4)M_{}`$. This is roughly equal to the present Galactic $`r`$-process inventory $`X_{,r}^{\mathrm{tot}}M_\mathrm{G}10^4M_{}`$, where $`X_{,r}^{\mathrm{tot}}10^7`$ is the total $`r`$-process mass fraction of nuclei with $`A100`$ in the solar system (Käppeler, Beer, & Wisshak 1989) and $`M_\mathrm{G}10^{11}M_{}`$ is the total Galactic mass in stars and gas. So it seems that NSMs could be the major $`r`$-process sources.

However, the amount of ejecta from a single NSM event discussed above is too much to explain the observed $`r`$-process abundances in metal-poor stars. This can be seen by considering mixing of the ejecta from each event with the ISM. Rosswog et al. (1999) showed that the total energy of the NSM ejecta is at most comparable to the SN explosion energy ($`10^{51}`$ erg). Therefore, when its energy/momentum is dispersed in the ISM, this ejecta can mix with at most the same amount of material as swept up by a SN remnant, $`M_{\mathrm{mix}}3\times 10^4M_{}`$ (e.g., Thornton et al. 1998). Consequently, if all of this ejecta were $`r`$-process material as required to account for the present Galactic $`r`$-process inventory, an ISM enriched by a single NSM event would have a total $`r`$-process mass fraction

$$X_{r,\mathrm{NSM}}^{\mathrm{tot}}=1.3\times 10^7\left(\frac{M_{\mathrm{ej}}^{\mathrm{NSM}}}{4\times 10^3M_{}}\right)\left(\frac{3\times 10^4M_{}}{M_{\mathrm{mix}}}\right).$$
(1)
The solar $`r`$-process mass fractions of elements with $`100A130`$ and $`A>130`$ are $`X_{,r}^{100A130}X_{,r}^{A>130}4\times 10^8`$ (Käppeler et al. 1989). According to equation (1), $`X_{r,\mathrm{NSM}}^{\mathrm{tot}}`$ would be approximately equal to $`X_{,r}^{\mathrm{tot}}X_{,r}^{100A130}+X_{,r}^{A>130}`$ even for the lowest $`M_{\mathrm{ej}}^{\mathrm{NSM}}`$ of interest. Therefore, whether the NSM ejecta were composed of $`r`$-process elements with $`100A130`$ or $`A>130`$, or both groups in solar proportion, equation (1) predicts that abundance ratios of e.g., Ag ($`A107`$) and/or Eu ($`A153`$) with respect to hydrogen in an ISM enriched by a single event would be at least comparable to the corresponding solar $`r`$-process values (Ag/H)⊙,r and (Eu/H)⊙,r. This predicted level of $`r`$-process enrichment is in disagreement with recent observations of $`r`$-process abundances in metal-poor stars, as Ag/H in stars with $`[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}]1.3`$ to $`2.2`$ are $`10`$$`10^2`$ times lower than (Ag/H)⊙,r (Crawford et al. 1998) while Eu/H in stars with $`[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}]3`$ are $`30`$$`10^3`$ lower than (Eu/H)⊙,r (McWilliam et al. 1995; Sneden et al. 1996, 1998).

The following interpretation of equation (1) gives some insights into how NSMs would explain the present Galactic $`r`$-process inventory and may help appreciate why this explanation is disfavored by observations. The Galaxy can be divided into $`3\times 10^6`$ units each having a mass $`M_{\mathrm{mix}}3\times 10^4M_{}`$. This division has a physical meaning as $`M_{\mathrm{mix}}`$ is the maximum mass within which the ejecta from an individual NSM event can be distributed. Due to the rather low rate of NSMs in the Galaxy, on average at most one NSM event occurred in a unit over Galactic history. Therefore, in order to account for the present Galactic $`r`$-process inventory, each unit would have to be enriched with an approximately solar $`r`$-process mass fraction by a single NSM event. As shown above, this picture of $`r`$-process enrichment is inconsistent with the observed $`r`$-process abundances in metal-poor stars. Furthermore, due to the high rate of SNe in the Galaxy, many SNe occurred in a unit where a single NSM event also occurred at sometime in Galactic history (see §4). As Fe enrichment of this unit was provided by these SNe, stars formed at different times in this unit would have varying \[Fe/H\] but either zero or approximately solar $`r`$-process mass fraction if NSMs were the major $`r`$-process sources. This is in disagreement with the observed correlation between abundances of $`r`$-process elements and Fe at $`[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}]2.5`$ (Gratton & Sneden 1994; Crawford et al. 1998; see also McWilliam et al. 1995).

Of course, the above discussion of mixing of the NSM ejecta and the ISM is oversimplified. For example, one could imagine that a smaller than average fraction of $`r`$-process ejecta was mixed into the ISM near the edge of a NSM remnant. In this case stars formed near the edge of the remnant would have $`r`$-process mass fractions smaller than that given by equation (1). However, one would also expect that less than average enrichment was not unduly pervasive and a significant fraction of the metal-poor stars would have the $`r`$-process enrichment indicated by equation (1). The fact that no such stars have been observed suggests a difficulty of the NSM $`r`$-process model in explaining the observations at low metallicities. Furthermore, even if the observed $`r`$-process abundances in metal-poor stars could be attributed to pervasive less than average enrichment by NSMs, one would still face the other difficulty in explaining the observed correlation between abundances of $`r`$-process elements and Fe at $`[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}]2.5`$. As Fe enrichment was controlled by SNe occurring at a much higher rate, widely-varying degrees of mixing of the $`r`$-process ejecta in an already existing NSM remnant with Fe produced by fresh SNe would result in large scatter in $`r`$-process abundances over a broad range of \[Fe/H\]. This is in disagreement with the rather early onset of the correlation between abundances of $`r`$-process elements and Fe at $`[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}]2.5`$. In summary, observations of metal-poor stars would be difficult to explain if NSMs were the major $`r`$-process sources.

## 3. $`r`$-Process Enrichment by Supernovae

In contrast to the case of NSMs, observations of metal-poor stars as well as meteoritic data on 182Hf and 129I in the early solar system support a self-consistent picture of $`r`$-process enrichment by SNe (Qian & Wasserburg 2000, hereafter QW; Wasserburg & Qian 2000; hereafter WQ). In this picture the ejecta from each SN event is mixed with an average mass $`M_{\mathrm{mix}}3\times 10^4M_{}`$ of ISM swept up by the SN remnant (e.g., Thornton et al. 1998). It is assumed that the SN rate per unit mass of gas $`f_\mathrm{G}^{\mathrm{SN}}/M_{\mathrm{gas}}`$ is approximately constant over Galactic history (this seems reasonable as the star formation rate is proportional to the gas mass). Consequently, an average ISM in the Galaxy is enriched by newly-synthesized material from SNe at a frequency

$`f_{\mathrm{mix}}^{\mathrm{SN}}`$ $`=`$ $`M_{\mathrm{mix}}{\displaystyle \frac{f_\mathrm{G}^{\mathrm{SN}}}{M_{\mathrm{gas}}}}=(10^7\mathrm{yr})^1`$ (2)
$`\times `$ $`\left({\displaystyle \frac{M_{\mathrm{mix}}}{3\times 10^4M_{}}}\right)\left[{\displaystyle \frac{f_\mathrm{G}^{\mathrm{SN}}}{(30\mathrm{yr})^1}}\right]\left({\displaystyle \frac{10^{10}M_{}}{M_{\mathrm{gas}}}}\right),`$
where $`f_\mathrm{G}^{\mathrm{SN}}/M_{\mathrm{gas}}`$ is estimated using quantities for the present Galaxy.

Meteoritic data on 182Hf (with a lifetime $`\overline{\tau }_{182}=1.3\times 10^7`$ yr) and 129I ($`\overline{\tau }_{129}=2.3\times 10^7`$ yr) in the early solar system shed important light on the $`r`$-process and its association with SNe. Wasserburg, Busso, & Gallino (1996; see also QW) showed that the abundance ratio $`({}_{}{}^{182}\mathrm{Hf}/{}_{}{}^{180}\mathrm{Hf})_{\mathrm{SSF}}=2.4\times 10^4`$ (Harper & Jacobsen 1996; Lee & Halliday 1995, 1998) is consistent with common SNe injecting 182Hf into the ISM at a high frequency $`f_{}f_{\mathrm{mix}}^{\mathrm{SN}}(10^7\mathrm{yr})^1`$ over a uniform production time $`T_{\mathrm{UP}}10^{10}`$ yr before solar system formation (SSF). However, the abundance ratio $`({}_{}{}^{129}\mathrm{I}/{}_{}{}^{127}\mathrm{I})_{\mathrm{SSF}}=10^4`$ (Reynolds 1960; see also Brazzle et al. 1999) must be accounted for by a different type of SNe occurring at a low frequency $`f_{}f_{}/10(10^8\mathrm{yr})^1`$ (Wasserburg et al. 1996; QW). Therefore, the meteoritic data require at least two distinct types of SN $`r`$-process events: the high-frequency $``$ events producing heavy nuclei with $`A>130`$ including 182Hf and the low-frequency $``$ events producing light nuclei with $`A130`$ including 129I. The $`r`$-process production in the SN environments associated with the $``$ and $``$ events was discussed in some detail by Qian, Vogel, & Wasserburg (1998a).

The above picture of $`r`$-process production and enrichment by SNe has clear predictions for $`r`$-process abundances resulting from a single event (QW; WQ). For example, with an average ISM enriched by the $``$ events at a frequency $`f_{}(10^7\mathrm{yr})^1`$, the solar $`r`$-process abundances of elements with $`A>130`$ such as Eu were provided by $`f_{}T_{\mathrm{UP}}10^3`$ $``$ events. This requires that the Eu abundance in an ISM enriched by a single $``$ event must be

$$\mathrm{log}ϵ_{}(\mathrm{Eu})=\mathrm{log}ϵ_{,r}(\mathrm{Eu})\mathrm{log}(f_{}T_{\mathrm{UP}})2.5,$$
(3)
where the $`\mathrm{log}ϵ`$ notation is defined as $`\mathrm{log}ϵ(\mathrm{Eu})\mathrm{log}(\mathrm{Eu}/\mathrm{H})+12`$ with Eu/H being the abundance ratio of Eu to hydrogen, and $`\mathrm{log}ϵ_{,r}(\mathrm{Eu})=0.51`$ is the value for solar $`r`$-process Eu (Käppeler et al. 1989). Similarly, the solar $`r`$-process abundances of elements with $`A130`$ such as Ag were provided by $`f_{}T_{\mathrm{UP}}10^2`$ $``$ events. This requires that the Ag abundance in an ISM enriched by a single $``$ event must be

$$\mathrm{log}ϵ_{}(\mathrm{Ag})=\mathrm{log}ϵ_{,r}(\mathrm{Ag})\mathrm{log}(f_{}T_{\mathrm{UP}})0.8,$$
(4)
where $`\mathrm{log}ϵ_{,r}(\mathrm{Ag})=1.19`$ (Käppeler et al. 1989) is used. The predictions in equations (3) and (4) are in good agreement with observations of very metal-poor stars which were formed when only a small number of SNe had contributed $`r`$-process elements to the ISM. The observed $`\mathrm{log}ϵ(\mathrm{Eu})`$ values for stars with $`[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}]3`$ range from $`2.5`$ to $`0.9`$ (McWilliam et al. 1995; Sneden et al. 1996, 1998), which can be accounted for by $`1`$–40 $``$ events with $`\mathrm{log}ϵ_{}(\mathrm{Eu})2.5`$ from a single event (QW; WQ). In addition, Ag abundances at the level indicated by equation (4) were observed in HD 2665 and BD +371458 with $`[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}]2`$ (Crawford et al. 1998) and in CS 22892–052 with $`[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}]3`$ (Cowan et al. 1999).

In the above picture of $`r`$-process enrichment by SNe the total mass of $`r`$-process elements ejected in an $``$ event must be $`X_{,r}^{A>130}M_{\mathrm{mix}}/(f_{}T_{\mathrm{UP}})10^6M_{}`$, while that in an $``$ event must be $`X_{,r}^{100A130}M_{\mathrm{mix}}/(f_{}T_{\mathrm{UP}})10^5M_{}`$. A total $`10^6`$$`10^5M_{}`$ of material can be naturally provided by the neutrino-heated ejecta from the proto-neutron star in a SN over a period $`1`$–10 s (e.g., Qian & Woosley 1996). However, whether this neutrino-heated ejecta is composed of $`r`$-process material is yet to be shown. The difference by a factor $`10`$ in the total amount of $`r`$-process ejecta between the $``$ and $``$ events has been speculated to indicate that neutrino emission and hence, ejection of $`r`$-process material are terminated by the transition of the proto-neutron star into a BH in the $``$ events while prolonged ejection is sustained by neutrino emission from a stable NS in the $``$ events (Qian et al. 1998a).

In summary, despite the lack of a complete model for successful $`r`$-process production in SNe, there is a self-consistent picture of $`r`$-process enrichment by SNe that can account for the meteoritic data on 182Hf and 129I in the early solar system and the observed $`r`$-process abundances in metal-poor stars. Furthermore, the observed correlation between abundances of $`r`$-process elements and Fe at $`[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}]2.5`$ (Gratton & Sneden 1994; Crawford et al. 1998; see also McWilliam et al. 1995) can be understood as the result of sufficient mixing of $`r`$-process products and Fe from multiple SN events in this picture. In fact, the same picture was used by Wasserburg & Qian (WQ) as the basic framework to explain the dispersion in abundances of heavy $`r`$-process elements such as Eu at $`[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}]3`$.

## 4. Discussion and Conclusions

The amount of ISM to mix with the ejecta from an individual NSM event is limited by the total energy of the event. On the other hand, due to the very low rate of NSMs in the Galaxy, a large amount of $`r`$-process ejecta would be required from each event to account for the present Galactic $`r`$-process inventory. When mixed with the ISM, this required amount of ejecta would result in abundances of $`r`$-process elements with $`A130`$ (such as Ag) and $`A>130`$ (such as Eu) that are much too high (by factors $`10`$–102 for Ag and $`30`$$`10^3`$ for Eu) compared with the observed values in metal-poor stars. Furthermore, an average ISM received the ejecta from only $`1`$ NSM event over Galactic history. If $`r`$-process enrichment of the ISM was provided by NSMs in this way while Fe enrichment was provided by many SNe, there would be no correlation between abundances of $`r`$-process elements and Fe, in disagreement with the observed correlation at $`[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}]2.5`$. While the complexities in mixing of the ejecta with the ISM can affect the above considerations in detail, it is unlikely that they can remove the difficulty of the NSM $`r`$-process model in explaining the observations of metal-poor stars (especially the rather early onset of the correlation between abundances of $`r`$-process elements and Fe at $`[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}]2.5`$). Nevertheless, future numerical studies of $`r`$-process enrichment by NSMs accompanied by Fe enrichment by SNe should be interesting to pursue and may give a more definitive answer.

In contrast, a self-consistent picture of $`r`$-process enrichment by SNe can be obtained by considering mixing of the ejecta from an individual event with the ISM. Here an average ISM is enriched in $`r`$-process elements with $`A>130`$ by the $``$ events at a frequency $`f_{}(10^7\mathrm{yr})^1`$ and in those with $`A130`$ by the $``$ events at a frequency $`f_{}(10^8\mathrm{yr})^1`$. This picture can account for the meteoritic data on 182Hf and 129I in the early solar system and the observed $`r`$-process abundances in metal-poor stars. Furthermore, sufficient mixing of $`r`$-process products and Fe from multiple SN events in this picture would result in the observed correlation between abundances of $`r`$-process elements and Fe at $`[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}]2.5`$. The same picture was also used by Wasserburg & Qian (WQ) as the basic framework to explain the dispersion in abundances of heavy $`r`$-process elements such as Eu at $`[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}]3`$. However, a complete model of $`r`$-process and Fe production in the $``$ and $``$ events is still lacking and should be investigated by future theoretical studies.

In discussing $`r`$-process enrichment by NSMs I have assumed that the maximum amount of ISM to mix with the ejecta from an individual event is the same as swept up by a SN remnant. This is because the total energy of the NSM ejecta seen in numerical simulations (Rosswog et al. 1999) is at most comparable to the SN explosion energy ($`10^{51}`$ erg). For given conditions of the ISM, the expansion/evolution of the ejecta is essentially governed by its total energy. The large difference in the amount of ejecta between a NSM and a SN has no significant effect here as in both cases the mass of the swept-up ISM soon overwhelms that of the ejecta while the total energy remains more or less the same. I note that a small amount ($`10^5M_{}`$) of material might be ejected in highly-relativistic jets in a NS-BH merger event (Janka et al. 1999). However, the total energy of these jets is $`10^{51}`$ erg (Janka et al. 1999) and their existence would not increase significantly the amount of ISM that could mix with the entire ejecta from the event. It takes $`10^6`$ yr for the energy ($`10^{51}`$ erg) and the associated momentum of the ejecta to be dispersed in the ISM (e.g., Thornton et al. 1998), where the next NSM or SN would occur on a much longer timescale ($`10^{10}`$ yr for NSMs and $`10^7`$ yr for SNe). This leaves substantial time for mixing of the ejecta with the swept-up ISM. However, the details of the mixing process require further studies.

If, as argued here, SNe are the major sources for the $`r`$-process, then there are two possible direct observational tests: gamma rays from decay of $`r`$-process nuclei in SN remnants and surface contamination of the companion by SN $`r`$-process ejecta in binaries. Qian et al. (1998b, 1999) discussed gamma-ray signals from decay of long-lived $`r`$-process nuclei (with lifetimes $`10^3`$$`10^5`$ yr) in a nearby SN remnant and from decay of short-lived $`r`$-process nuclei (with lifetimes $`1`$–10 yr) produced in a Galactic SN that may occur in the future. The nuclide 126Sn is of particular interest (Qian et al. 1998b) as its lifetime ($`10^5`$ yr) is much longer than the age ($`10^4`$ yr) of the Vela SN remnant at a distance $`250`$ pc. In the picture of $`r`$-process enrichment by SNe discussed here (see also QW; WQ) the solar $`r`$-process mass fraction of nuclei with $`A130`$ resulted from $`10^2`$ $``$ events (see §3). So a total mass $`X_{,r}^{A=126}M_{\mathrm{mix}}/10^25\times 10^7M_{}`$ of 126Sn nuclei are produced in each $``$ event, where $`X_{,r}^{A=126}1.6\times 10^9`$ (Käppeler et al. 1989) is the solar $`r`$-process mass fraction of 126Te, the stable daughter of 126Sn. If the SN associated with the Vela remnant was an $``$ event, then decay of 126Sn in this remnant would produce gamma-ray fluxes $`10^7\gamma \mathrm{cm}^2\mathrm{s}^1`$ at energies $`E_\gamma =415`$, 666, and 695 keV. Detection of these fluxes would require future gamma-ray experiments such as the proposed Advanced Telescope for High Energy Nuclear Astrophysics (ATHENA, Kurfess 1994). As the Vela remnant contains a pulsar, such detection would also provide evidence for the speculated association between $``$ events and SNe producing neutron stars (Qian et al. 1998a).

The other test mentioned above takes advantage of the occurrence of SNe in binaries. The $`r`$-process ejecta from the SN would contaminate the surface of its binary companion. Some binaries would survive the SN explosion and acquire a NS or a BH in place of the SN progenitor. Therefore, an ordinary star observed to be the binary companion of a NS or a BH might show $`r`$-process abundance anomalies on the surface. To estimate the plausible level of such anomalies, I assume that a fraction $`10^3`$ of the entire SN ejecta ($`10M_{}`$, mostly non-$`r`$-process material) would be intercepted by a low mass ($`1M_{}`$) companion and then mixed with $`10^2M_{}`$ of the surface material. If the SN was an $``$ event, $`10^9M_{}`$ of $`r`$-process elements with $`A>130`$ would be intercepted, while for an $``$ event $`10^8M_{}`$ of $`r`$-process elements with $`A130`$ would be intercepted (see §3). These quantities are to be compared with $`4\times 10^{10}M_{}`$ of the corresponding $`r`$-process elements in $`10^2M_{}`$ of the surface material in a companion star of solar $`r`$-process composition. So a SN in a binary could enhance significantly the surface $`r`$-process abundances in the companion star, especially if the SN was an $``$ event. In view of the large overabundance of O, Mg, Si, and S recently observed in the companion star of a probable BH (Israelian et al. 1999), detection of $`r`$-process enhancement in similar binary systems seems promising. Such detection may also test directly the speculation by Qian et al. (1998a) that $``$ events are associated with SNe producing BHs while $``$ events are associated with SNe producing neutron stars.

I thank Petr Vogel and Jerry Wasserburg for many discussions on the $`r`$-process. I am also grateful to the referee, Friedel Thielemann, for detailed criticisms that help improve the paper. This work was supported in part by the Department of Energy under grant DE-FG02-87ER40328.