Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2007-02-13
Astrophys.J.661:1073-1083,2007
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
18 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication of ApJ
Scientific paper
10.1086/515392
PSR J1744-3922 is a binary pulsar exhibiting highly variable pulsed radio emission. We report on a statistical multi-frequency study of the pulsed radio flux variability which suggests that this phenomenon is extrinsic to the pulsar and possibly tied to the companion, although not strongly correlated with orbital phase. The pulsar has an unusual combination of characteristics compared to typical recycled pulsars: a long spin period (172 ms); a relatively high magnetic field strength (1.7x10^10 G); a very circular, compact orbit of 4.6 hours; and a low-mass companion (0.08 Msun). These spin and orbital properties are likely inconsistent with standard evolutionary models. We find similarities between the properties of the PSR J1744-3922 system and those of several other known binary pulsar systems, motivating the identification of a new class of binary pulsars. We suggest that this new class could result from either: a standard accretion scenario of a magnetar or a high-magnetic field pulsar; common envelope evolution with a low-mass star and a neutron star, similar to what is expected for ultra-compact X-ray binaries; or, accretion induced collapse of a white dwarf. We also report the detection of a possible K'=19.30(15) infrared counterpart at the position of the pulsar, which is relatively bright if the companion is a helium white dwarf at the nominal distance, and discuss its implications for the pulsar's companion and evolutionary history.
Bergeron Pierre
Breton Rene P.
Durant Martin
Faulkner A. J.
Kaspi Victoria M.
No associations
LandOfFree
The Unusual Binary Pulsar PSR J1744-3922: Radio Flux Variability, Near-infrared Observation and Evolution does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The Unusual Binary Pulsar PSR J1744-3922: Radio Flux Variability, Near-infrared Observation and Evolution, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Unusual Binary Pulsar PSR J1744-3922: Radio Flux Variability, Near-infrared Observation and Evolution will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-409262