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Are Gravitational Waves Spinning Down PSR J1023+0038?
1Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center, Polish Academy of Sciences, ulica Bartycka 18, 00-716 Warsaw, Poland.
Physical Review Letters
|November 4, 2017
Summary
Pulsar J1023+0038 shows a faster spin-down during its low-mass x-ray binary (LMXB) phase, potentially due to a neutron star crust "mountain" emitting gravitational waves. This finding challenges current accretion models.
Area of Science:
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Neutron Star Physics
- Gravitational Wave Astronomy
Background:
- The millisecond pulsar J1023+0038 exhibits state transitions between a radio pulsar and a low-mass x-ray binary (LMXB).
- Observed spin-down rates during the LMXB phase are inconsistent with standard accretion models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explain the anomalous spin-down rate observed in the LMXB phase of pulsar J1023+0038.
- To propose a novel mechanism involving gravitational wave emission from a neutron star crustal deformation.
Main Methods:
- Timing analysis of pulsar J1023+0038 during its radio and LMXB phases.
- Modeling of neutron star crustal properties and pycnonuclear reaction rates.
- Assessment of gravitational wave emission from a proposed neutron star "mountain".
Main Results:
- The spin-down rate during the LMXB phase is approximately 27% faster than during the radio phase.
- Asymmetries in crustal pycnonuclear reactions can generate a mass quadrupole sufficient to explain the enhanced spin-down.
- Gravitational wave emission from a crustal "mountain" is proposed as the cause for the increased spin-down torque.
Conclusions:
- A neutron star crustal "mountain" formed during accretion offers a self-consistent explanation for the observed spin-down rates.
- This scenario suggests a link between accretion processes, crustal physics, and gravitational wave emission in LMXBs.
- Observational tests involving future radio timing and LMXB phase monitoring are proposed to validate the model.
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