Magnetospheric interactions and emission properties in the double pulsar system

✍ Scribed by R.N. Manchester

• Book ID: 103852007
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 1008 KB
• Volume: 54
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1387-6473
• DOI: 10.1016/j.newar.2010.09.018

✦ Synopsis

Our ability to observe both pulsars in the double-pulsar system, PSR J0737-3039A/B, combined with its short binary period and almost edge-on orbit, provides an unique opportunity to study pulsar magnetospheric interactions and the pulse emission mechanism. Pulses from J0737-3039A (A) are eclipsed by the magnetosphere of PSR J0737-3039B (B) which is believed to be highly distorted by the relativistic wind from A. In addition, pulses from B are modulated at the A rotational period, revealing an interaction between radiation from A and the B pulse emission mechanism. Relativistic geodetic precession of the spin axes of the two pulsars is expected. Surprisingly, no precessional effects have been observed in A, but secular changes in the B pulse profile and orbital modulation are seen. Finally, based on polarisation observations, we discuss the inclination of A's magnetic axis relative to its spin axis.