Large frequency drifts during type I X-ray bursts

We study the spin-down of a neutron star atmosphere during the type I X-ray burst in low mass X-ray binaries. Using polar cap acceleration models, we show that the resulting stellar "wind" torque on the burning shell due to the flowing charged particles (electrons, protons and ions) from the starʹs polar caps may change the shellʹs angular momentum during the burst. We conclude that the net change in the angular momentum of the starʹs atmosphere can account for rather large frequency drifts observed during type I X-ray burst.