Follow-up Timing of Three GMRT Pulsars

Abstract

We report on the results of multi-frequency follow-up observations of three pulsars (PSRs J0026+6320, J2208+5500, and J2217+5733) discovered with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT). These observations were carried out with the GMRT and the Ooty Radio Telescope (ORT). We report improved timing solutions for all three pulsars. For PSR J2208+5500, we estimate the nulling fraction to be 53(3)%. The steep spectrum of this pulsar, its single component profile, and narrow pulse width suggest its single component to be a core component. If so, this significant cessation of emission in a core component is inconsistent with a geometric origin of nulls, such as those due to "empty" sightline traverses, and more likely due to intrinsic changes in the pulsar magnetosphere. We have measured scatter-broadening timescales at 325 and 610 MHz for PSRs J0026+6320 and J2217+5733. The implied scatter-broadening frequency scaling index of −2.9 for both pulsars is different from that expected assuming Kolmogorov turbulence in the interstellar medium. We also report spectral indices, obtained from imaging observations, for all three pulsars for the first time. The spectra for two of these pulsars indicate a possible spectral turnover between 100 and 300 MHz. Multi-frequency timing analyses carried out for these pulsars have enabled us to determine dispersion measures with accuracies of 0.01 pc cm−3. This demonstrates the usefulness of quasi-simultaneous multi-frequency multi-epoch timing observations with the GMRT and the ORT for studying variations in DM for millisecond pulsars.