Pulsar slow glitches in a solid quark star model

Abstract

A series of five unusual slow glitches of the radio pulsar B1822-09 (PSR J1825-0935) was observed between 1995 and 2005. This is a phenomenon that is understood in a solid quark star model, and reasonable parameters for slow glitches are given in this paper. We propose that, because of increasing shear stress as the pulsar spins down, a slow glitch may occur, beginning with the collapse of a superficial layer of the quark star. This layer of material turns to viscous fluid at first, the viscosity of which helps to deplete the energy released from both the accumulated elastic energy and the gravitation potential. There is then a slow glitch. Numerical calculations show that the slow glitches that have been observed could be reproduced if the effective coefficient of viscosity is ∼10 2 cm 2 s -1 and the initial velocity of the superficial layer is of the order of 10 -10 cm s -1 in the coordinate rotating frame of the star.