XMM-Newton Detection and Spectrum of the Second Fastest Spinning Pulsar PSR J0952−0607

Abstract

Abstract With a spin frequency of 707 Hz, PSR J0952−0607 is the second fastest spinning pulsar known. It was discovered in radio by LOFAR in 2017 at an estimated distance of either 0.97 or 1.74 kpc and has a low-mass companion with a 6.42 hr orbital period. We report the discovery of the X-ray counterpart of PSR J0952−0607 using XMM-Newton. The X-ray spectra can be well-fit by a single power law (PL) model (Γ ≈ 2.5) or by a thermal plus PL model ( and Γ ≈ 1.4). We do not detect evidence of variability, such as that due to orbital modulation from pulsar wind and companion star interaction. Because of its fast spin rate, PSR J0952−0607 is a crucial source for understanding the r-mode instability, which can be an effective mechanism for producing gravitational waves. Using the high end of our measured surface temperature, we infer a neutron star core temperature of ∼107 K, which places PSR J0952−0607 within the window for the r-mode to be unstable unless an effect such as superfluid mutual friction damps the fluid oscillation. The measured luminosity limits the dimensionless r-mode amplitude to be less than ∼1 × 10−9.