Assessing the Role of Spin Noise in the Precision Timing of Millisecond Pulsars

Details Assessing the Role of Spin Noise in the Precision Timing of Millisecond Pulsars Assessing the Role of Spin Noise in the Precision Timing of Millisecond Pulsars

2010-10-22

arxiv.org/abs/1010.4794v1

Astrophys.J.725:1607-1619,2010

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Solar and Stellar Astrophysics

16 pages and 6 figures. ApJ, accepted

Scientific paper

10.1088/0004-637X/725/2/1607

We investigate rotational spin noise (referred to as timing noise) in non-accreting pulsars: millisecond pulsars, canonical pulsars, and magnetars. Particular attention is placed on quantifying the strength and non-stationarity of timing noise in millisecond pulsars because the long-term stability of these objects is required to detect nanohertz gravitational radiation. We show that a single scaling law is sufficient to characterize timing noise in millisecond and canonical pulsars while the same scaling law underestimates the levels of timing noise in magnetars. The scaling law, along with a detailed study of the millisecond pulsar B1937+21, leads us to conclude that timing noise is latent in most millisecond pulsars and will be measurable in many objects when better arrival time estimates are obtained over long data spans. The sensitivity of a pulsar timing array to gravitational radiation is strongly affected by any timing noise. We conclude that detection of proposed gravitational wave backgrounds will require the analysis of more objects than previously suggested over data spans that depend on the spectra of both the gravitational wave background and of the timing noise. It is imperative to find additional millisecond pulsars in current and future surveys in order to reduce the effects of timing noise.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Assessing the Role of Spin Noise in the Precision Timing of Millisecond Pulsars 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 Assessing the Role of Spin Noise in the Precision Timing of Millisecond Pulsars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Assessing the Role of Spin Noise in the Precision Timing of Millisecond Pulsars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-661443