RXTE monitoring of 5 anomalous x-ray pulsars

Details RXTE monitoring of 5 anomalous x-ray pulsars RXTE monitoring of 5 anomalous x-ray pulsars

Sep 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009phdt........13d&link_type=abstract

Proquest Dissertations And Theses 2009. Section 0781, Part 0606 283 pages; [Ph.D. dissertation].Canada: McGill University (Cana

Computer Science

1

Pulsars, Anomalous X-Ray Pulsars, Neutron Stars

Scientific paper

Anomalous X-ray Pulsars (AXPs) are a group of neutron stars that share several common properties. They are dubbed "anomalous" because their observed luminosity exceeds the rate of loss of their rotational kinetic energy. According to the magnetar model, they are young, isolated neutron stars, powered by a large magnetic energy reservoir. Five of these AXPs (1E 2259+586, 4U 0142+61, RXS J170849.0-400910, 1E 1841-045, 1E 1048.1-5937) have been monitored with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) since 1997 (1998 for two of the sources). The goal of the monitoring program is to study the timing behaviour of these sources including glitches, and the radiative variability in the soft X-ray band including pulsed flux changes, pulse profile changes, and bursts. The program provides a detailed description of the evolving properties of these objects, which can then be used to test AXP models, such as the magnetar model. In this thesis, I present some of my co-authored contributions to the AXP monitoring program.
I first present a long-term (1998-2006) study of AXP 4U 0142+61 in which we show that from 2000 to 2006 the pulse profile of the pulsar slowly evolved, and the pulsed flux increased by 29±8%.
AXP 4U 0142+61 then entered an active phase in 2006 March that lasted several months and included several X-ray bursts. I present a study of the behaviour of AXP 4U 0142+61 during this active phase.
I then present a long-term (1998-2007) study of AXPs RXS J170849.0-400910 and 1E 1841-045 in which we report on four new glitches. We show that AXPs are very active glitchers and that some AXP glitch properties are challenging to interpret in standard glitch models. Furthermore, we note that AXP glitches appear to fall in two classes: radiatively loud and radiatively quiet.
Finally, I present a long-term (1997-2008) study of AXP 1E 1048.1-5937 in which we show that three timing events occurred contemporaneously with the onset of three pulsed flux flares. We note that every observed AXP flare or outburst thus far has been accompanied by a timing event, but that the converse is not true. We also comment on various unusual timing and radiative properties of this source.
In each of the above contributions, we discuss the relationships between the observed properties in the framework of the magnetar model.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

RXTE monitoring of 5 anomalous x-ray 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 RXTE monitoring of 5 anomalous x-ray pulsars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and RXTE monitoring of 5 anomalous x-ray pulsars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1074522