It is conjectured that coherent re-emission of cyclotron resonance absorption could result in pulsar giant pulses. This conjecture seems reasonable as it can naturally explain the distribution of pulsars with giant pulses on the $P$-$\dot{P}$ diagram.
Deep NuSTAR observation of X-ray pulsar A 0535+262, performed at a very low luminosity of $\sim7\times10^{34}$ erg s$^{-1}$, revealed the presence of two spectral components. We argue that the high-energy component is associated with cyclotron emission from recombination of electrons collisionally excited to the upper Landau levels. The cyclotron line energy of $E_{\rm cyc}=47.7\pm0.8$ keV was measured at the luminosity of almost an order of magnitude lower than what was achieved before. The data firmly exclude a positive correlation of the cyclotron energy with the mass accretion rate in this…
We report the discovery of absorption features in the X-ray spectrum of the transient X-ray pulsar GROJ2058+42. The features are detected around $\sim10$, $\sim20$ and $\sim30$ keV in both NuSTAR observations carried out during the source type II outburst in spring 2019. The most intriguing property is that the deficit of photons around these energies is registered only in the narrow phase interval covering around 10% of the pulsar spin period. We interpret these absorption lines as a cyclotron resonant scattering line (fundamental) and two higher harmonics. The measured energy allow us to est…
We report results of a spectral and timing analysis of the X-ray pulsar XTE J1829-098 using data obtained with the NuSTAR observatory during an outburst in August 2018. A strong absorption feature was detected at the energy of $E_{cyc}\simeq 15$ keV in the source spectrum. This feature was interpreted as a cyclotron resonance scattering line corresponding to the magnetic field strength of the neutron star surface $B\simeq1.7\times10^{12}$ G. The pulse phase-resolved spectroscopy shows that the cyclotron line is significantly detected at all phases of the pulse and its energy and other paramete…
We present results of a detailed investigation of the poorly studied X-ray pulsar XTE J1858+034 based on the data obtained with the NuSTAR observatory during the outburst of the source in 2019. The spectral analysis resulted in the discovery of a cyclotron absorption feature in the source spectrum at ~48 keV both in the pulse phase averaged and resolved spectra. Accurate X-ray localization of the source using the NuSTAR and Chandra observatories allowed us to accurately determine the position of the X-ray source and identify the optical companion of the pulsar. The analysis of the counterpart …
We report the results of an analysis of data obtained with the INTEGRAL, Swift and RXTE observatories during the 2010 April and September outbursts of the X-ray pulsar RX J0440.9+4431. The temporal and spectral properties of the pulsar in a wide energy band (0.6-120 keV) were studied for the first time. We discovered a ~32 keV cyclotron resonant scattering feature in the source spectrum, that allowed us to estimate the magnetic field strength of the neutron star as B~3.2 x 10^12 G. The estimate of the magnetic field strength was confirmed by a comprehensive analysis of the noise power spectrum…
We report on the first focused hard X-ray view of the absorbed supergiant system IGRJ18027-2016 performed with the NuSTAR observatory. The pulsations are clearly detected with a period of $P_{spin}=139.866(1)$ s and a pulse fraction of about 50-60% at energies from 3 to 80 keV. The source demonstrates an approximately constant X-ray luminosity on a time scale of more than dozen years with an average spin-down rate of $dP/dt\simeq6\times10^{-10}$ s/s. This behaviour of the pulsar can be explained in terms of the wind accretion model in the settling regime. The detailed spectral analysis at ener…
We systematically analyzed the spectra of X-ray binary pulsars observed with GINGA (Mihara 1995). A new model NPEX (Negative and Positive power-laws EXponential) was introduced t o represent the pulsar continuum. Combining the NPEX continuum with the CYAB factor (cyclotron resonance scattering model), we successfully fit the whole-band spectra of all the pulsars. A possible physical meaning of the NPEX model is the Comptonized spectra. By using the smooth and concave NPEX model, the cyclotron structures were detected from 12 pulsars, about a half of the 23 sources, including new discoveries fr…
In the work we present the results of two deep broad-band observations of the poorly studied X-ray pulsar IGR J19294+1816 obtained with the NuSTAR observatory. The source was observed during Type I outburst and in the quiescent state. In the bright state a cyclotron absorption line in the energy spectrum was discovered at $E_{\rm cyc}=42.8\pm0.7$ keV. Spectral and timing analysis prove the ongoing accretion also during the quiescent state of the source. Based on the long-term flux evolution, particularly on the transition of the source to the bright quiescent state with luminosity around $10^{…
We present pulse phase averaged spectra of the high mass X-ray binary pulsar 4U 1538-52/QV Nor. Observations of this persistent accreting pulsar were made with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). We study the variability of cyclotron resonant scattering feature (CRSF or simply cyclotron line) in the high energy spectra of this binary system. We show that the parameters of the CRSF are correlated. The first one is, as suggested by theory, between the width and the energy of the cyclotron line. The second one is between the relative width and the optical depth of the cyclotron line. We discu…
The evolution of neutron star (NS) magnetic field (B-field) has long been an important topic, which is still not yet settled down. Here, we analyze the NS B-fields inferred by the cyclotron resonance scattering features (CRSFs) for the high mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) and by the magnetic dipole model for the spin-down pulsars. We find that the B-fields of both the 32 NSHMXBs and 28 young pulsars with the supernova remnants follow the log-normal distributions, with the average values of 3.4 * 10^12 G and 4.1 * 10^12 G respectively, which are further verified to come from the same continuous dis…
We reproduce the broadband spectrum of Crab pulsar, from UV to very high energy gamma-rays - nearly ten decades in energy, within the framework of the cyclotron-self-Compton model. Emission is produced by two counter-streaming beams within the outer gaps, at distances above $\sim$ 20 NS radii. The outward moving beam produces UV-$X$-ray photons via Doppler-booster cyclotron emission, and GeV photons by Compton scattering the cyclotron photons produced by the inward going beam. The scattering occurs in the deep Klein-Nishina regime, whereby the IC component provides a direct measurement of part…
In this work, the temporal and spectral properties of the poorly studied X-ray pulsar Swift J1808.4$-$1754 were investigated in the 0.8-79 keV energy range based on the data from the NuSTAR and Swift observatories collected during the 2014 outburst. Strong pulsations with a period of $909.73\pm0.03$ s were detected in the source light curve, with the pulsed fraction demonstrating a nonmonotonic dependence on the energy with a local minimum around 17-22 keV. Phase lags in one of the pulse profile components, reaching the maximal value approximately at the same energy, were discovered. The pulse…
We have performed pulse phase resolved spectroscopy of the Cyclotron Resonance Scattering Features (CRSF) of some bright accretion powered X-ray pulsars like 1A 1118-61, Vela X-1, A0535+26, XTE J1946+274, 4U 1907+09, 4U 1626-67 and GX 301-2 using Suzaku observations with long exposures. We have performed the study using different spectral models for the continuum and have obtained similar patterns of variations of the CRSF in all the cases, thus demonstrating the robustness of our results. Pulse phase dependence of the CRSF in XTE J1946+274 has been obtained for the first time, and phase resol…
An overview of the results of observations for the transient X-ray pulsar 4U 0115+63, a member of a binary system with a Be star, since its discovery to the present day (~40 years) based on data from more than dozen observatories and instruments is presented. A overall light curve and the history of change in the spin frequency of the neutron star over the entire history of its observations, which also includes the results of recent measurements made by the INTEGRAL observatory during the 2004, 2008, and 2011 outbursts, are provided. The source's energy spectra have also been constructed from …
We have performed a detailed pulse phase resolved spectral analysis of the cyclotron resonant scattering features (CRSF) of the two Be/X-ray pulsars A0535+26 and XTE J1946+274 and the wind accreting HMXB pulsar 4U 1907+09 using Suzaku observations. The CRSF parameters vary strongly over the pulse phase and can be used to map the magnetic field and a possible deviation form the dipole geometry in these sources. It also reflects the conditions at the accretion column and the local environment over the changing viewing angles. The pattern of variation with pulse phase are obtained with more than …
Vacuum polarization and cyclotron resonance effects on radiative transfer and plasma deceleration in subcritical X-ray pulsars
Ioffe Institute(伊俄费研究所);Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London(穆拉德空间科学实验室,伦敦大学学院);Astrophysics, Department of Physics, University of Oxford(天体物理学,物理系,牛津大学)
We discuss growing evidence that pulsar high energy is emission is generated via Inverse Compton mechanism. We reproduce the broadband spectrum of Crab pulsar, from UV to very high energy gamma-rays - nearly ten decades in energy, within the framework of the cyclotron-self-Compton model. Emission is produced by two counter-streaming beams within the outer gaps, at distances above ~ 20 NS radii. The outward moving beam produces UV-X-ray photons via Doppler-booster cyclotron emission, and GeV photons by Compton scattering the cyclotron photons produced by the inward going beam. The scattering oc…
Cyclotron resonance scattering features observed in the spectra of some X-ray pulsars show significant changes of the line energy with the pulsar luminosity. At high luminosities, these variations are often associated with the onset and growth of the accretion column, which is believed to be the origin of the observed emission and of the cyclotron lines. However, this scenario inevitably implies large gradient of the magnetic field strength within the line-forming region, which makes the formation of the observed line-like features problematic. Moreover, the observed variation of the cyclotron…
The results of the broadband spectral and timing study of the transient X-ray pulsar GRO J2058+42 in a wide energy range at a low luminosity $L_{x} \simeq 2.5\times 10^{36}$ erg s$^{-1}$ are reported. The data revealed that the pulse profile and pulse fraction of the source are significantly changed in comparison with previous NuSTAR observations, when the source was ten times brighter. The cyclotron absorption line at $\sim10$ keV in the narrow phase interval is consistent with the high state observations. Spectral analysis showed that at high luminosities $L_{x}\simeq (2.7-3.2)\times 10^{37}…
We report broadband spectral properties of the high mass X-ray binary pulsar SMC X-2 by using three simultaneous $NuSTAR$ and $Swift$/XRT observations during its 2015 outburst. The pulsar was significantly bright, reaching a luminosity up to as high as $\sim$5.5$\times$10$^{38}$~ergs~s$^{-1}$ in 1-70 keV range. Spin period of the pulsar was estimated to be 2.37 s. Pulse profiles were found to be strongly luminosity dependent. The 1-70 keV energy spectrum of the pulsar was well described with three different continuum models such as (i) negative and positive power-law with exponential cutoff, (…
Based on phase-resolved broadband spectroscopy using $XMM$-$Newton$ and $NuSTAR$, we report on a potential cyclotron resonant scattering feature at $E \sim 13$ keV in the pulsed spectrum of the recently discoverd ULX pulsar NGC 300 ULX1. If this interpretation is correct, the implied magnetic field of the central neutron star is $B \sim 10^{12}$ G (assuming scattering off electrons), similar to that estimated from the observed spin-up of the star, and also similar to known Galactic X-ray pulsars. We discuss the implications of this result for the connection between NGC 300 ULX1 and the other k…
Cyclotron resonance scattering features are observed in the spectra of some X-ray pulsars and show significant changes in the line energy with the pulsar luminosity. In a case of bright sources, the line centroid energy is anti-correlated with the luminosity. Such a behaviour is often associated with the onset and growth of the accretion column, which is believed to be the origin of the observed emission and the cyclotron lines. However, this scenario inevitably implies large gradient of the magnetic field strength within the line-forming region, and it makes the formation of the observed line…
Giant pulses (GPs) are extremely bright individual pulses of radio pulsar. In microbursts of Crab pulsar, which is an active GP emitter, zebra-pattern-like spectral structures are observed, which are reminiscent of the `zebra bands' that are observed in type IV solar radio flares. However, band spacing linearly increases with the band center frequency of $\sim5-30$\,GHz. In this study, we propose that the Crab pulsar GP can originate from the coherent instability of plasma near a light cylinder. Further, the growth of coherent instability can be attributed to the resonance observed between the…
We present analysis of 4U 1626-67, a 7.7 s pulsar in a low-mass X-ray binary system, observed with the hard X-ray detector of the Japanese X-ray satellite Suzaku in March 2006 for a net exposure of \sim88 ks. The source was detected at an average 10-60 keV flux of \sim4 x10^-10 erg cm^-2 s^-1. The phase-averaged spectrum is reproduced well by combining a negative and positive power-law times exponential cutoff (NPEX) model modified at \sim 37 keV by a cyclotron resonance scattering feature (CRSF). The phase-resolved analysis shows that the spectra at the bright phases are well fit by the NPEX …
We report results of a spectral and timing analysis of the poorly studied transient X-ray pulsar 2S 1553-542 using data collected with the NuSTAR and Chandra observatories and the Fermi/GBM instrument during an outburst in 2015. Properties of the source at high energies (>30 keV) are studied for the first time and the sky position had been essentially improved. The source broadband spectrum has a quite complicated shape and can be reasonably described by a composite model with two continuum components - a black body emission with the temperature about 1 keV at low energies and a power law with…
The high-mass X-ray binary and accreting X-ray pulsar IGR J16393-4643 was observed by NuSTAR in the 3-79 keV energy band for a net exposure time of 50 ks. We present the results of this observation which enabled the discovery of a cyclotron resonant scattering feature with a centroid energy of 29.3(+1.1/-1.3) keV. This allowed us to measure the magnetic field strength of the neutron star for the first time: B = (2.5+/-0.1)e12 G. The known pulsation period is now observed at 904.0+/-0.1 s. Since 2006, the neutron star has undergone a long-term spin-up trend at a rate of P' = -2e-8 s/s (-0.6 s p…
Accretion-powered X-ray pulsars exhibit significant variability of the Cyclotron Resonance Scattering Feature (CRSF) centroid energy on pulse-to-pulse timescales, and also on much longer timescales. Two types of spectral variability are observed. For sources in group 1, the CRSF energy is negatively correlated with the variable source luminosity, and for sources in group 2, the opposite behavior is observed. The physical basis for this bimodal behavior is currently not understood. We explore the hypothesis that the accretion dynamics in the group 1 sources is dominated by radiation pressure ne…
We report the broad-band spectral properties of the X-ray pulsar Cep X-4 by using a Suzaku observation in 2014 July. The 0.8-70 keV spectrum was found to be well described by three continuum models - Negative and Positive power-law with Exponential cutoff (NPEX), high energy cutoff power-law and CompTT models. Additional components such as a cyclotron line at $\sim$28 keV and two Gaussian components for iron lines at 6.4 and 6.9 keV were required in the spectral fitting. Apart from these, an additional absorption feature at $\sim$45 keV was clearly detected in residuals obtained from the spect…
We report on the firm detection of a cyclotron resonance scattering feature (CRSF) in the X-ray spectrum of the Be X-ray binary pulsar, GRO J1008-57, achieved by the Suzaku Hard X-ray Detector during a giant outburst which was detected by the MAXI Gas Slit Camera in 2012 November. The Suzaku observation was carried out on 2012 November 20, outburst maximum when the X-ray flux reached $\sim 0.45$ Crab in 4-10 keV, which corresponds to a luminosity of $1.1 \times 10^{38}$ erg s$^{-1}$ in 0.5--100 keV at 5.8 kpc. The obtained broadband X-ray spectrum from 0.5 keV to 118 keV revealed a significant…
Resonant cyclotron scattering (RCS) in pulsar magnetospheres is considered. The photon diffusion equation (Kompaneets equation) for RCS is derived. The photon system is modeled three dimensionally. Numerical calculations show that there exist not only up scattering but also down scattering of RCS, depending on the parameter space. RCS's possible applications to the spectra energy distributions of magnetar candidates and radio quiet isolated neutron stars (INSs) are point out. The optical/UV excess of INSs may caused by the down scattering of RCS. The calculations for RX J1856.5-3754 and RX J07…
Here we present results of our search for Giant Pulses(GPs) from pulsars of Northern Hemisphere. Our survey was carried out at a frequency of 111 MHz using the Large Phased Array (LPA) radio telescope. Up to now we have detected regular generation of strong pulses satisfying the criteria of GPs from 2 pulsars: B1133+16, B1237+25.
Cyclotron resonance scattering features observed in the spectra of some X-ray pulsars show significant changes of the line centroid energy with the pulsar luminosity. Whereas for bright sources above the so called critical luminosity these variations are established to be connected with the appearance of the high accretion column above the neutron star surface, at low, sub-critical luminosities the nature of the variations (but with the opposite sign) has not been discussed widely. We argue here that the cyclotron line is formed when the radiation from a hotspot propagates through the plasma f…
We report on a series of outbursts of the high mass X-ray binary XTE J1946+274 in 2010/2011 as observed with INTEGRAL, RXTE, and Swift. We discuss possible mechanisms resulting in the extraordinary outburst behavior of this source. The X-ray spectra can be described by standard phenomenological models, enhanced by an absorption feature of unknown origin at about 10 keV and a narrow iron K alpha fluorescence line at 6.4 keV, which are variable in flux and pulse phase. We find possible evidence for the presence of a cyclotron resonance scattering feature at about 25 keV at the 93% level. The pre…
The transient 500 s X-ray pulsar MAXI J1409-619 was discovered by the slit cameras aboard MAXI on October 17, 2010, and soon after accurately localized by Swift. We found that the source position was serendipitously observed in 2000 during BeppoSAX observations of the Galactic plane. Two sources are clearly detected in the MECS: one is consistent with the position of IGR J14043-6148 and the other one with that of MAXI J1409-619. We report on the analysis of this archival BeppoSAX/MECS observation integrated with newly analyzed observation from ASCA and a set of high-energy observations obtaine…
Context: Be/X-ray binaries show outbursts with peak luminosities up to a few times $10^{37}\,$erg/s, during which they can be observed and studied in detail. Most (if not all) Be/X-ray binaries harbour accreting pulsars, whose X-ray spectra in many cases contain cyclotron resonant scattering features related to the magnetic field of the sources. Spectral variations as a function of luminosity and of the rotational phase of the neutron star are observed in many accreting pulsars. Aims: We explore X-ray spectral and timing properties of the Be/X-ray binary GX 304-1 during an outburst episode. Sp…
It has been recently discovered that the transition of X-ray pulsars to the low luminosity state ($L\lesssim10^{35}\,{\rm erg\,s^{-1}}$) is accompanied by a dramatic spectral change. Namely, the typical power-law-like spectrum with high energy cutoff transforms into a two-component structure with a possible cyclotron absorption feature on top of it. It was proposed that these spectral characteristics can be explained qualitatively by the emission of cyclotron photons in the atmosphere of the neutron star caused by collisional excitation of electrons to upper Landau levels and further comptoniz…
We used a new spectral-fitting technique to identify a subpopulation of 6 narrow-band giant pulses from the Crab pulsar out of a total of 1578. These giant pulses were detected in 77 minutes of observations with the 46-m dish at the Algonquin Radio Observatory at 400-800 MHz. The narrow-band giant pulses consist of both main- and inter-pulses, thereby being more likely to be caused by an intrinsic emission mechanism as opposed to a propagation effect. Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) have demonstrated similar narrow-band features while only little has been observed in the giant pulses of pulsars. We r…
We report on a detailed spectral analysis of the transient X-ray pulsar 1A~0535+262, which underwent the brightest giant outburst ever recorded for this source from November to December 2020 with a peak luminosity of $1.2$ $\times10^{38}\ \rm erg\ s^{-1}$. Thanks to the unprecedented energy coverage and high cadence observations provided by Insight-HXMT, we were able to find for the first time evidence for a transition of the accretion regime. At high luminosity, above the critical luminosity $6.7\times10^{37}$ erg s$^{-1}$, the cyclotron absorption line energy anti-correlates with luminosity.…
Cyclotron resonance scattering features or cyclotron absorption lines are unique features observed in the hard X-ray spectra of accretion powered X-ray pulsars with magnetic field of the order of 10$^{12}$ G. Detection of these features enables us for the direct estimation of strength of the magnetic field close to the neutron star surface. Corresponding to magnetic field of $\sim$10$^{12}$ G, the fundamental cyclotron lines are expected in 10-100 keV energy range with harmonics expected at multiples of fundamental line energy. However, we detected first harmonic of cyclotron line at less than…
Accreting X-ray pulsars (XRPs) undergo luminous X-ray outbursts during which the spectral and timing behavior of the neutron star can be studied in detail. We analyze a $NuSTAR$ observation of the XRP XTE J1858+034 during its outburst in 2019. The spectrum is fit with a phenomenological, a semi-empirical and a physical spectral model. A candidate cyclotron line is found at $48\,$keV, implying a magnetic field of $5.4\times10^{\rm 12}\,$G at the site of emission. This is also supported by the physical best-fit model. We propose an orbital period of about $81$ days based on the visual inspection…
Cyclotron lines in subcritical X-ray pulsars: Monte Carlo simulations reveal the origin of the observed variability
University of Crete(克里特大学);Institute of Astrophysics, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas(希腊研究与技术基金会天体物理研究所);Princeton University(普林斯顿大学);Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik(马克斯·普朗克地外物理研究所);Ludwig-Maximilians Universität(慕尼黑路德维希-马克西米利安大学)
Aims: Spectral and temporal analysis of the NuSTAR observation Galactic Be-XRB Swift J1845.7-0037. during its recent outburst. Methods: For the spectral analysis we use both phenomenological and physics-based models. We employ an often used empirical model to identify the main characteristics of the spectral shape in relation to nominal spectral characteristics of X-ray pulsars. Additionally, we used the latest version of Bulk \& Thermal comptonization model (BW), to assess the validity of the spectral components required by the empirical model and to investigate the origin of the hard X-ray e…
We present results of the investigation of the giant radio pulses (GRPs) generation rate from 5 radio pulsars (B0301+19, B0950+08, B1112+50, B1133+16, and B1237+25) and anomalous intensity pulses generation rate from B0809+74. All data used were obtained with Large Phased Array radio telescope of Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory at 111~MHz from 2012 to 2021. In addition to analysis of the rate of generation of bright pulses, we analyze the distribution of bright pulses in the phase of the pulsar period and search for clusters of bright pulses - several bright pulses emit in adjacent pulsa…
We present an analysis of X-ray spectra of the high mass X-ray binary 4U 0115+634 as observed with Suzaku and RXTE in 2011 July, during the fading phase of a giant X-ray outburst. We used a continuum model consisting of an absorbed cutoff power-law and an ad-hoc Gaussian emission feature centered around 8.5 keV, which we discuss to be due to cyclotron emission. Our results are consistent with a fundamental cyclotron absorption line centered at ${\sim}10.2$ keV for all observed flux ranges. At the same time we rule out significant influence of the 8.5 kev Gaussian on the CRSF parameters, which …
We employ our new model for the polarised emission of accreting X-ray pulsars to describe the emission from the luminous X-ray pulsar Hercules X-1. In contrast with previous works, our model predicts the polarisation parameters independently of spectral formation, and considers the structure and dynamics of the accretion column, as well as the additional effects on propagation due to general relativity and quantum electrodynamics. We find that our model can describe the observed pulse fraction and the pulse shape of the main peak, as well as the modulation of the cyclotron line with phase. We …
We have used the unique low frequency sensitivity of the Large Phased Array radio telescope of Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory to collect dataset of the single pulse observations of second period pulsars of the Northern hemisphere. During observational sessions of 2011 - 2017 yrs. We have collected data on 71 pulsars at 111 MHz frequency using digital pulsar receiver. We have discovered Giant Radio Pulses (GRP) from pulsars B0301+09 and B1237+25, and confirmed early reported generation of anomalously strong (probable giant) pulses from B1133+16 on statistically significant dataset. Data …
We present here the analysis of giant micropulses from the Vela pulsar. A total of 4187 giant micropulses with peak flux density $>$2.5 Jy were detected during almost 4 hours of observations carried out with the Yunnan 40-m radio telescope at 6800 MHz. Nine of the giant micropulses arrived approximately 3 to 4 ms earlier than the peak of average pulse profile, longer than that at lower frequencies. The remaining giant micropulses were clustered into three distributions which correspond to three main emission regions, including four occurring on the trailing edge of averaged profile.
We have examined the cyclotron resonance instability developing in the relativistic out-flowing plasma in the pulsar magnetosphere. The instability condition leads to radio emission in the sub-GHz frequency regime which is likely to be seen as off-pulse emission. Recent studies have shown the presence of off-pulse emission in long period pulsars, and we demonstrate this plasma process to be an energetically viable mechanism.
We report the timing and spectral properties of Be/X-ray binary pulsar GX 304-1 by using two Suzaku observations during its 2010 August and 2012 January X-ray outbursts. Pulsations at ~275 s were clearly detected in the light curves from both the observations. Pulse profiles were found to be strongly energy-dependent. During 2010 observation, prominent dips seen in soft X-ray ($\leq$10 keV) pulse profiles were found to be absent at higher energies. However, during 2012 observation, the pulse profiles were complex due to the presence of several dips. Significant changes in the shape of the puls…
We present the results of our spectral and timing analysis of the emission from the transient X-ray pulsar XTE J1946+274 based on the simultaneous NuSTAR and Swift/XRT observations in the broad energy range 0.3-79 keV carried out in June 2018 during a bright outburst. Our spectral analysis has confirmed the presence of a cyclotron absorption line at an energy $\sim38$ keV in both averaged and phase-resolved spectra of the source. Phase-resolved spectroscopy has also allowed the variation in spectral parameters with neutron star rotation phase, whose period is $\simeq15.755$ s, to be studied. T…
We present timing and broad-band spectral studies of the high mass X-ray binary pulsar 4U 1909+07 using data from Suzaku observation during 2010 November 2-3. The pulse period of the pulsar is estimated to be 604.11+/-0.14 s. Pulsations are seen in the X-ray light curve up to ~70 keV. The pulse profile is found to be strongly energy-dependent: a complex, multi-peaked structure at low energy that becomes a simple single peak at higher energy. We found that the 1-70 keV pulse averaged continuum can be fitted by the sum of a black body and a partial covering Negative and Positive power-law with E…
The bursting pulsar, GRO J1744-28, went again in outburst after $\sim$18 years of quiescence in mid-January 2014. We studied the broad-band, persistent, X-ray spectrum using X-ray data from a XMM-Newton observation, performed almost at the peak of the outburst, and from a close INTEGRAL observation, performed 3 days later, thus covering the 1.3-70.0 keV band. The spectrum shows a complex continuum shape that cannot be modelled with standard high-mass X-ray pulsar models, nor by two-components models. We observe broadband and peaked residuals from 4 to 15 keV, and we propose a self-consistent i…
X-ray spectra of many accreting pulsars exhibit significant variations as a function of flux and thus of mass accretion rate. In some of these pulsars, the centroid energy of the cyclotron line(s), which characterizes the magnetic field strength at the site of the X-ray emission, has been found to vary systematically with flux. GX 304-1 is a recently established cyclotron line source with a line energy around 50 keV. Since 2009, the pulsar shows regular outbursts with the peak flux exceeding one Crab. We analyze the INTEGRAL observations of the source during its outburst in January-February 20…
Rapid quasi-periodic reconfiguration of the accretion column in pulsar 1A 0535+262
Nankai University(南开大学);National Time Service Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences(中国科学院国家授时中心);Sun Yat-Sen University(中山大学);Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London(伦敦大学学院穆拉德空间科学实验室);University of Oxford(牛津大学)
NICER detection of a new candidate cyclotron line in the bursting X-ray pulsar GRO J1744-28
College of Physics, Hebei Normal University(河北师范大学物理学院);Institut für Astronomie und Astrophysik, Universität Tübingen(蒂宾根大学天文与天体物理研究所);School of Physics, Nankai University(南开大学物理学院);School of Physics and Astronomy, Sun Yat-Sen University(中山大学物理学院);KeyLaboratory of Time and Frequency Primary Standards, Chinese Academy of Sciences(中国科学院时间频率基准重点实验室);Key Laboratory of Particle Astrophysics, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences(中国科学院高能物理研究所粒子天体物理重点实验室)
In the present work we consider energy accumulation mechanism in relativistic electron-positron plasma in the magnetosphere of pulsars. Waves propagating almost across the magnetic field lines are generated that accumulate the energy of plasma particles, as the waves stay significantly long in the resonance region. The accumulated energy is transmitted in the parallel direction of the magnetic field lines as soon as the non-linear plasma processes start to operate. It is suggested that exit of the accumulated energy via waves propagating along the magnetic field lines matching the viewing angl…