The Dynamical Influence of Radiation in Type 1 X-Ray Bursts

Consideration is given to the dynamical effects upon an accretion disk of incident radiation generated by thermonuclear burning on the surface of a nonrotating, nonmagnetic neutron star - as exemplified in type 1 X-ray burst sources. Under these conditions, it is found that the torque applied by the radiation field leads to enhanced mass transfer, and the associated accretion power contributes substantially to the total luminosity of the burst. However, this accretion will provide a smaller fraction of the total burst energy if the neutron star possesses a magnetosphere or is in rapid rotation.