Quasiperiodic Erupters: A Stellar Mass-transfer Model for the Radiation

Quasi-Periodic Erupters (QPEs) are a remarkable class of objects exhibiting very large amplitude quasi-periodic X-ray flares. Although numerous dynamical models have been proposed to explain them, relatively little attention has given using the properties their radiation constrain dynamics. Here we show that observed luminosity, spectrum, repetition period, duty cycle, and fluctuations in latter two quantities point toward model which: main sequence star on moderately eccentric orbit around supermassive black hole periodically transfers mass Roche lobe hole; orbital dynamics lead mildly-relativistic shocks near thermal X-rays at temperature emitted by gas as it flows away from shock. Strong irradiation flare itself augments transfer, creates timing, stirs turbulence stellar atmosphere amplifies magnetic field level which stresses can accelerate infall transferred hole.