PSR J0437-4715 Research Articles

Long-term variability of a black widow’s eclipses – A decade of PSR J2051$-$0827

ABSTRACT In this paper we report on $\sim 10$ yr of observations of PSR J2051$-$0827, at radio frequencies in the range 110–4032 MHz. We investigate the eclipse phenomena of this black widow pulsar using model fits of increased dispersion and scattering of the pulsed radio emission as it traverses the eclipse medium. These model fits reveal variability in dispersion features on time-scales as short as the orbital period, and previously unknown trends on time-scales of months–years. No clear patterns are found between the low-frequency eclipse widths, orbital period variations, and trends in the intrabinary material density. Using polarization calibrated observations we present the first available limits on the strength of magnetic fields within the eclipse region of this system; the average line of sight field is constrained to be $10^{-4}$ G $\lesssim B_{||} \lesssim 10^2$ G, while for the case of a field directed near-perpendicular to the line of sight we find $B_{\perp } \lesssim 0.3$ G. Depolarization of the linearly polarized pulses during the eclipse is detected and attributed to rapid rotation measure fluctuations of $\sigma _{\text{RM}} \gtrsim 100$ rad m$^{-2}$ along, or across, the line of sights averaged over during a subintegration. The results are considered in the context of eclipse mechanisms, and we find scattering and/or cyclotron absorption provide the most promising explanation, while dispersion smearing is conclusively ruled out. Finally, we estimate the mass-loss rate from the companion to be $\dot{M}_{\text{C}} \sim 10^{-12}\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$, suggesting that the companion will not be fully evaporated on any reasonable time-scale

X-ray light curves from realistic polar cap models: inclined pulsar magnetospheres and multipole fields

ABSTRACT Thermal X-ray emission from rotation-powered pulsars is believed to originate from localized ‘hotspots’ on the stellar surface occurring where large-scale currents from the magnetosphere return to heat the atmosphere. Light-curve modelling has primarily been limited to simple models, such as circular antipodal emitting regions with constant temperature. We calculate more realistic temperature distributions within the polar caps, taking advantage of recent advances in magnetospheric theory, and we consider their effect on the predicted light curves. The emitting regions are non-circular even for a pure dipole magnetic field, and the inclusion of an aligned magnetic quadrupole moment introduces a north–south asymmetry. As the quadrupole moment is increased, one hotspot grows in size before becoming a thin ring surrounding the star. For the pure dipole case, moving to the more realistic model changes the light curves by $5\!-\!10{{\, \rm per\, cent}}$ for millisecond pulsars, helping to quantify the systematic uncertainty present in current dipolar models. Including the quadrupole gives considerable freedom in generating more complex light curves. We explore whether these simple dipole+quadrupole models can account for the qualitative features of the light curve of PSR J0437−4715.

Autocorrelations in pulsar glitch waiting times and sizes

ABSTRACT Among the five pulsars with the most recorded rotational glitches, only PSR J0534+2200 is found to have an autocorrelation between consecutive glitch sizes that differs significantly from zero (Spearman correlation coefficient ρ = −0.46, p-value = 0.046). No statistically compelling autocorrelations between consecutive waiting times are found. The autocorrelation observations are interpreted within the framework of a predictive meta-model describing stress release in terms of a state-dependent Poisson process. Specific combinations of size and waiting time autocorrelations are identified, alongside combinations of cross-correlations and size and waiting time distributions, that are allowed or excluded within the meta-model. For example, future observations of any ‘quasi-periodic’ glitching pulsar, such as PSR J0537–6910, should not reveal a positive waiting time autocorrelation. The implications for microphysical models of the stress-release process driving pulsar glitches are discussed briefly.

Observations of Radio Magnetars with the Deep Space Network

The Deep Space Network (DSN) is a worldwide array of radio telescopes which supports NASA’s interplanetary spacecraft missions. When the DSN antennas are not communicating with spacecraft, they provide a valuable resource for performing observations of radio magnetars, searches for new pulsars at the Galactic Center, and additional pulsar-related studies. We describe the DSN’s capabilities for carrying out these types of observations. We also present results from observations of three radio magnetars, PSR J1745–2900, PSR J1622–4950, and XTE J1810–197, and the transitional magnetar candidate, PSR J1119–6127, using the DSN radio telescopes near Canberra, Australia.

Rotational Evolution of the Slowest Radio Pulsar, PSR J0250+5854

Abstract We apply theoretical spin-down models of magnetospheric evolution and magnetic field decay to simulate the possible evolution of PSR J0250+5854, which is the slowest-spinning radio pulsar detected to date. Considering the alignment of inclination angle in a 3D magnetosphere, it is possible that PSR J0250+5854 has a high magnetic field comparable with magnetars or/and high magnetic field pulsars, if a small inclination angle is considered. Our calculations show that similar long-period pulsars tend to have a relatively low period derivative in this case. In another case of magnetic field decay, calculations also show a possible connection between PSR J0250+5854 and high dipole-magnetic field magnetars. The evolutionary path indicates a relatively high spin-down rate for similar long-period pulsars.

GeV–TeV Cosmic-Ray Leptons in the Solar System from the Bow Shock Wind Nebula of the Nearest Millisecond Pulsar J0437–4715

Abstract We consider the acceleration of leptons up to GeV–TeV energies in the bow shock wind nebula of PSR J0437–4715 and their subsequent diffusion through the interstellar magnetic fields. The leptons accelerated at the pulsar wind termination surface are injected into re-acceleration in colliding shock flows. Modeled spectra of synchrotron emission from the accelerated electrons and positrons are consistent with the far-ultraviolet and X-ray observations of the nebula carried out with the Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory. These observations are employed to constrain the absolute fluxes of relativistic leptons, which are escaping from the nebula and eventually reaching the solar system after energy-dependent diffusion through the local interstellar medium accompanied by synchrotron and Compton losses. It is shown that accelerated leptons from the nebula of PSR J0437–4715 can be responsible both for the enhancement of the positron fraction above a few GeV detected by PAMELA and AMS-02 spectrometers and for the TeV range lepton fluxes observed with H.E.S.S., VERITAS, Fermi, CALET, and DAMPE.

What can PSR J1640-4631 tell us about the internal physics of this neutron star?

Gravitational wave emissions (GWEs) of pulsars could not only make them promising targets for continuous gravitational wave searches but also leave imprints in their timing data. We interpret the measured braking index of PSR J1640-4631 with a model involving both the GWE and dipole magnetic field decay. Combining the timing data of PSR J1640-4631 and the theory of magnetic field decay, we propose a new approach of constraining the number of precession cycles, $\xi$, which is highly uncertain currently but can be tightly related to the interior physics of a neutron star and its GWE. We suggest that future observation of the tilt angle $\chi$ of PSR J1640-4631 would not merely help to constrain $\xi$ but also possibly provide information about the internal magnetic field configuration of this pulsar. We find that $\xi$ would be larger than previous estimates unless a tiny angle $\chi\lesssim5^\circ$ is observed. Furthermore, a measured angle $\chi\gtrsim12^\circ$ would indicate $\xi\gtrsim 10^6$, which is at least ten times larger than that suggested previously.

Using single millisecond pulsar for terrestrial position determination

With precise observatory coordinates, we can convert the site arrival times (SATs) of observed pulses to barycenter by adopting correct pulsar timing model. In this paper, we time millisecond pulsars to determine the position of the radio telescope reversely. By using data from the Parkes Pulsar Timing Array (PPTA) project, we show that the position of the Parkes radio telescope can be determined with an error of tens to hundreds of meters. In the presence of “red” timing noise, we apply generalized least-squares (GLS) solution based on “Cholesky” method to provide better position estimations. Meanwhile, we investigate the positioning accuracy with the different data spans. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of single pulsar terrestrial navigation, a few observations from PSR J0437-4715 are used to perform the position determination tests. The statistical results show an overall accuracy of ∼300 m with only three or four observations. As more observations are involved, the positioning accuracy increases significantly.

The r-mode instability windows of strange stars

With the constraint from gravitational wave emission of a binary merger system (GW170817) and two-solar-mass pulsar observations, we investigate the r-mode instability windows of strange stars with unpaired and color-flavor-locked phase strange quark matter. Shear viscosities due to surface rubbing and electron-electron scattering are taken into account in this work. The results show that the effects of the equation of state of unpaired strange quark matter are only dominant at low temperature, but do not have significant effects on strange stars in the color-flavor-locked phase. A color-flavor-locked phase strange star, which is surrounded by an insulating nuclear crust, seems to be consistent with observational data of young pulsars. We find that an additional enhanced dissipation mechanisms might exist in SAX J1808.4–3658. Fast spinning young pulsar PSR J0537–6910 is a primary source for detecting gravitational waves from a rotating strange star, and young pulsars might be strange stars with color-flavor-locked phase strange quark matter.

HESS J1640-465: A Gamma-Ray Emitting Pulsar Wind Nebula?

Abstract HESS J1640-465 is an extended TeV γ-ray source, and whether its γ-ray emission is from the shell of a supernova remnant (SNR) or a pulsar wind nebula (PWN) is still under debate. We reanalyze the GeV γ-ray data in the field of HESS J1640-465 using eight years of Pass 8 data recorded by the Fermi Large Area Telescope. An extended GeV γ-ray source positionally coincident with HESS J1640-465 is found. Its photon spectrum can be described by a power law with an index of 1.42 ± 0.19 in the energy range of 10–500 GeV and smoothly connects with the TeV spectrum of HESS J1640-465. The broadband spectrum of HESS J1640-465 can be well fit by a leptonic model with a broken power-law spectrum of electrons with an exponential cut off at ∼300 TeV. The spectral properties of HESS J1640-465 are broadly consistent with the characteristics of other sources identified as PWNe, such as the correlations between high-energy luminosity ratios and the physical parameters of pulsar, including the spin-down luminosity and the characteristic age τ c . All of these pieces of evidence support that the γ-ray emission of HESS J1640-465 may originate from the PWN powered by PSR J1640-4631 rather than the shell of the SNR G338.3-0.0.

Accretion of magnetized stellar winds in the Galactic centre: implications for Sgr A* and PSR J1745−2900

ABSTRACT The observed rotation measures (RMs) towards the Galactic centre magnetar and towards Sagittarius A* provide a strong constraint on MHD models of the Galactic centre accretion flow, probing distances from the black hole separated by many orders of magnitude. We show, using three-dimensional simulations of accretion via magnetized stellar winds of the Wolf–Rayet stars orbiting the black hole, that the large, time-variable RM observed for the pulsar PSR J1745−2900 can be explained by magnetized wind–wind shocks of nearby stars in the clockwise stellar disc. In the same simulation, both the total X-ray luminosity integrated over 2–10 arcsec, the time variability of the magnetar’s dispersion measure, and the RM towards Sagittarius A* are consistent with observations. We argue that (in order for the large RM of the pulsar to not be a priori unlikely) the pulsar should be on an orbit that keeps it near the clockwise disc of stars. We present a two-dimensional RM map of the central 1/2 parsec of the Galactic centre that can be used to test our models. Our simulations predict that Sgr A* is typically accreting a significantly ordered magnetic field that ultimately could result in a strongly magnetized flow with flux threading the horizon at ∼10 per cent of the magnetically arrested limit.

Pulse Morphology of the Galactic Center Magnetar PSR J1745–2900

Abstract We present results from observations of the Galactic Center magnetar, PSR J1745–2900, at 2.3 and 8.4 GHz with the NASA Deep Space Network 70 m antenna, DSS-43. We study the magnetar’s radio profile shape, flux density, radio spectrum, and single pulse behavior over a ∼1 year period between MJDs 57233 and 57621. In particular, the magnetar exhibits a significantly negative average spectral index of when the 8.4 GHz profile is single-peaked, which flattens considerably when the profile is double-peaked. We have carried out an analysis of single pulses at 8.4 GHz on MJD 57479 and find that giant pulses and pulses with multiple emission components are emitted during a significant number of rotations. The resulting single pulse flux density distribution is incompatible with a log-normal distribution. The typical pulse width of the components is ∼1.8 ms, and the prevailing delay time between successive components is ∼7.7 ms. Many of the single pulse emission components show significant frequency structure over bandwidths of ∼100 MHz, which we believe is the first observation of such behavior from a radio magnetar. We report a characteristic single pulse broadening timescale of at 8.4 GHz. We find that the pulse broadening is highly variable between emission components and cannot be explained by a thin scattering screen at distances ≳ 1 kpc. We discuss possible intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms for the magnetar’s emission and compare our results to other magnetars, high magnetic field pulsars, and fast radio bursts.

LOFAR Discovery of a 23.5 s Radio Pulsar

We present the discovery of PSR J0250+5854, a radio pulsar with a spin period of 23.5 s. This is the slowest-spinning radio pulsar known. PSR J0250+5854 was discovered by the LOFAR Tied-Array All-Sky Survey (LOTAAS), an all-Northern-sky survey for pulsars and fast transients at a central observing frequency of 135 MHz. We subsequently detected pulsations from the pulsar in the interferometric images of the LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey, allowing for sub-arcsecond localization. This, along with a pre-discovery detection 2 years prior, allowed us to measure the spin-period derivative to be $\dot{P}=2.7 \times 10^{-14}$ s s$^{-1}$. The observed spin period derivative of PSR J0250+5854 indicates a surface magnetic field strength, characteristic age and spin-down luminosity of $2.6 \times 10^{13}$G, $13.7$ Myr and $8.2 \times 10^{28}$ erg s$^{-1}$ respectively, for a dipolar magnetic field configuration. This also places the pulsar beyond the conventional pulsar death line, where radio emission is expected to cease. The spin period of PSR J0250+5854 is similar to those of the high-energy-emitting magnetars and X-ray dim isolated neutron stars (XDINSs). However, the pulsar was not detected by the Swift/XRT in the energy band of 0.3-10 keV, placing a bolometric luminosity limit of $1.5 \times 10^{32}$ erg s$^{-1}$ for an assumed $N_{\rm H}=1.35\times10^{21}$ cm$^{-2}$ and a temperature of 85 eV (typical of XDINSs). We discuss the implications of the discovery for models of the pulsar death line as well as the prospect of finding more similarly long-period pulsars, including the advantages provided by LOTAAS for this.

Investigation of the High-energy Emission from the Magnetar-like Pulsar PSR J1119–6127 after the 2016 Outburst

PSR J1119-6127 is a radio pulsar that behaved magnetar like bursts, and we performed a comprehensive investigation of this pulsar using the archival high-energy observations obtained after its outburst in 2016 July. After the 2016 outburst, specific regions on the neutron star surface were heated up to > 0.3 and > 1 keV from about 0.2 keV. A hard non-thermal spectral component with a photon index < 0.5 related to the magnetospheric emission can be resolved from the NuSTAR spectra above 10 keV. We find that the thermal emitting regions did not cool down and gradually shrank by about (20-35)% four months after the outburst. Hard X-ray pulsations were detected with NuSTAR immediately after the outburst, at 5 sigma confidence level and with a background-subtracted pulsed fraction of (40+-10)%. However, the signal became undetectable after a few days. Using Fermi data, we found that the gamma-ray emission in 0.5-300 GeV was suppressed along with the disappearance of the radio pulsations. This is likely caused by a reconfiguration of the magnetic field. We also discovered that the timing noise evolved dramatically, and the spin-down rate significantly increased after the 2016 glitch. We proposed that post-outburst temporal and spectral behaviors from radio to gamma-ray bands were caused by changes of the magnetosphere structure, pair plasma injection and the shrinking emission sites on the neutron star.

Gravitational wave detection from OJ 287 via a pulsar timing array

Blazar OJ 287 is a candidate nanoHertz (nHz) gravitational wave (GW) source. In this article, we investigate the GWs generated by OJ 287 and their potential detection through a pulsar timing array (PTA). First, we obtain the orbit and the corresponding GW strain of OJ 287. During the time span of the next 10 years (2019 to 2029), the GW of OJ 287 will be active before 2021, with a peak strain amplitude $8 \times 10^{-16}$, and then decay after that. When OJ 287 is silent in the GW channel during 2021 to 2029, the timing residual signals of the PTA will be dominated by the 'pulsar term' of the GW strain and this provides an opportunity to observe this pulsar term. Furthermore, we choose 26 pulsars with white noise below 300 ns to detect the GW signal of OJ 287, evaluating their timing residuals and signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). The total SNR (with a cadence of 2 weeks in the next 10 years) of the PTA ranges from 1.9 to 2.9, corresponding to a weak GW signal for the current sensitivity level. Subsequently, we investigate the potential measurement of the parameters of OJ 287 using these pulsars. In particular, PSR J0437-4715, with a precisely measured distance, has the potential to constrain the polarization angle with an uncertainty below $8^{\deg}$ and this pulsar will play an important role in future PTA observations.

The Enigmatic Spin Evolution of PSR J0537–6910: r-modes, Gravitational Waves, and the Case for Continued Timing

Abstract We discuss the unique spin evolution of the young X-ray pulsar PSR J0537–6910, a system in which the regular spin down is interrupted by glitches every few months. Drawing on the complete timing data from the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (from 1999 to 2011), we argue that a trend in the interglitch behavior points to an effective braking index close to n = 7, which is much larger than expected. This value is interesting because it would accord with the neutron star spinning down due to gravitational waves from an unstable r-mode. We discuss to what extent this, admittedly speculative, scenario may be consistent and if the associated gravitational-wave signal would be within reach of ground-based detectors. Our estimates suggest that one may, indeed, be able to use future observations to test the idea. Further precision timing would help to enhance the achievable sensitivity, and we advocate a joint observing campaign between the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer and the LIGO-Virgo network.

Is PSR J0250+5854 at the Hall Attractor Stage?

In this note we propose that recently discovered radio pulsar J0250+5854 with 23.5 sec spin period is presently at the Hall attractor stage. This can explain low temperature and absence of magnetar-like activity of this source together with its spin period and period derivative. We present results of calculations of the evolution of this source in a simple model of magnetic field decay. The neutron star could start its evolution as a magnetar with initial field $\sim 10^{14}-10^{15}$ G for realistic range of parameter $Q$ describing crust imperfections. Future measurements of surface temperature and age of this neutron star might help to probe this hypothesis.

Observations of Low-frequency Radio Emission from Millisecond Pulsars and Multipath Propagation in the Interstellar Medium

Abstract Studying the gravitational-wave sky with pulsar timing arrays (PTAs) is a key science goal for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and its pathfinder telescopes. With current PTAs reaching sub-microsecond timing precision, making accurate measurements of interstellar propagation effects and mitigating them effectively has become increasingly important to realize PTA goals. As these effects are much stronger at longer wavelengths, low-frequency observations are most appealing for characterizing the interstellar medium (ISM) along the sight lines toward PTA pulsars. The Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) and the Engineering Development Array (EDA), which utilizes MWA technologies, present promising opportunities for undertaking such studies, particularly for PTA pulsars located in the southern sky. Such pulsars are also the prime targets for PTA efforts planned with the South African MeerKAT, and eventually with the SKA. In this paper we report on observations of two bright southern millisecond pulsars, PSR J0437−4715 and PSR J2145−0750, made with these facilities; MWA observations sampled multiple frequencies across the 80–250 MHz frequency range, while the EDA provided direct-sampled baseband data to yield a large instantaneous usable bandwidth of ∼200 MHz. Using these exploratory observations, we investigate various aspects relating to pulsar emission and ISM properties, such as spectral evolution of the mean pulse shape, scintillation as a function of frequency, chromaticity in interstellar dispersion, and flux density spectra at low frequencies. Systematic and regular monitoring observations will help ascertain the role of low-frequency measurements in PTA experiments, while simultaneously providing a detailed characterization of the ISM toward the pulsars, which will be useful in devising optimal observing strategies for future PTA experiments.

Size-waiting-time Correlations in Pulsar Glitches

Abstract Few statistically compelling correlations are found in pulsar timing data between the size of a rotational glitch and the time to the preceding glitch (backward waiting time) or the succeeding glitch (forward waiting time), except for a strong correlation between sizes and forward waiting times in PSR J0537−6910. This situation is counterintuitive if glitches are threshold-triggered events, as in standard theories (e.g., starquakes, superfluid vortex avalanches). Here, it is shown that the lack of correlation emerges naturally, when a threshold trigger is combined with secular stellar braking slower than a critical, calculable rate. The Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients are computed and interpreted within the framework of a state-dependent Poisson process. Specific, falsifiable predictions are made regarding what objects currently targeted by long-term timing campaigns should develop strong size-waiting-time correlations as more data are collected in the future.

Peculiar spin frequency and radio profile evolution of PSR J1119−6127 following magnetar-like X-ray bursts

We present the spin frequency and profile evolution of the radio pulsar J1119$-$6127 following magnetar-like X-ray bursts from the system in 2016 July. Using data from the Parkes radio telescope, we observe a smooth and fast spin-down process subsequent to the X-ray bursts resulting in a net change in the pulsar rotational frequency of $\Delta\nu\approx-4\times10^{-4}$\,Hz. During the transition, a net spin-down rate increase of $\Delta\dot\nu\approx-1\times10^{-10}$\,Hz\,s$^{-1}$ is observed, followed by a return of $\dot{\nu}$ to its original value. In addition, the radio pulsations disappeared after the X-ray bursts and reappeared about two weeks later with the flux density at 1.4\,GHz increased by a factor of five. The flux density then decreased and undershot the normal flux density followed by a slow recovery back to normal. The pulsar's integrated profile underwent dramatic and short-term changes in total intensity, polarization and position angle. Despite the complex evolution, we observe correlations between the spin-down rate, pulse profile shape and radio flux density. Strong single pulses have been detected after the X-ray bursts with their energy distributions evolving with time. The peculiar but smooth spin frequency evolution of PSR~J1119$-$6127 accompanied by systematic pulse profile and flux density changes are most likely to be a result of either reconfiguration of the surface magnetic fields or particle winds triggered by the X-ray bursts. The recovery of spin-down rate and pulse profile to normal provides us the best case to study the connection between high magnetic-field pulsars and magnetars.