Opt. spectroscopy of redback ms pulsar binaries

The properties of these millisecond pulsar binaries with low-mass, hydrogen-rich companions are discussed in the context of the 14 confirmed and 10 candidate field redbacks. We find that the neutron stars in redbacks have a median mass of 1.78+/-0.09M_{sun}_ with a dispersion of {sigma}=0.21+/-0.09.

Neutron stars with masses in excess of 2M_{sun}_ are consistent with, but not firmly demanded by, current observations. Redback companions have median masses of 0.36+/-0.04M_{sun}_ with a scatter of {sigma}=0.15+/-0.04M_{sun}_, and a tail possibly extending up to 0.7-0.9M_{sun}_. Candidate redbacks tend to have higher companion masses than confirmed redbacks, suggesting a possible selection bias against the detection of radio pulsations in these more massive candidate systems.