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

S. Dai, S. Johnston, P. Weltevrede, M. Kerr, M. Burgay, P. Esposito, G. Israel, A. Possenti, N. Rea, J. Sarkissian

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36 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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 Δv ≈-4 × 10-4 Hz. During the transition, a net spin-down rate increase of Δ v ≈ -1 × 10-10 Hz s-1 is observed, followed by a return of v 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 5. 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 aremost 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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3584-3594
Number of pages11
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume480
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

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