The supernova remnant CTB 37B and its associated magnetar CXOU J171405.7-381031: evidence for a magnetar-driven remnant

Abstract

We discuss the association between the candidate magnetar CXOU J171405.7-381031 and the supernova remnant CTB 37B. The recent detection of the period derivative of the object allowed an estimation of a young characteristic age of only ∼ 1000 yr. This value is too small to be compatible even with the minimum radius of the remnant being ≥ 10 pc, the value corresponding to the lower limit of the estimated distance of 10.2 ± 3.5 kpc, unless the true distance happens to be even smaller than the lower limit. We argue that a consistent scenario for the remnant's origin, in which the latter is powered by the energy injected by a young magnetar, is indeed more accurate to explain the young age, and demonstrates its non-standard (i.e. magnetar-driven) nature.