Unveiling The Nature Of Cyclic Behavior In The Period Evolution Of The Anomalous X-Ray Pulsar Xte J1810-197
Abstract
This program is aimed at obtaining a phase-coherent timing solution for the period evolution of XTE J1810-197, analyzing data from our approved cycle 12 XMM-Newton observations of this unique Anomalous X-ray Pulsar (AXP). AXPs are Magnetar Candidates: isolated neutron stars (NS) whose emission is likely due to the decay of an extremely strong magnetic field (1E14 - 1E15 G). Previous analysis suggested that the source is slowly precessing (P~2200 d) around its spin axis. Our new analysis is aimed at studying the period evolution of XTE J1810-197, by means of phase connected timing analysis, and at checking for the possible presence of a long term (5 yr) cyclical behavior due to the precession of its rotation axis. XTE J1810-197 could be a unique precessing Magnetar (overall, only 3 candidate precessing NSs are known). The effective presence of a long-term periodic modulation would shed light on the physical properties of the NS crust and its core and, thus, on the physical properties of matter at extremely high density. Here we are requesting funds to support the analysis of two approved cycle 12 XMM- Newton observations of XTE J1810-297 along with a consistent reanalysis of archival data of the same object.
- Publication:
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NASA ADAP Proposal
- Pub Date:
- 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013adap.prop...10C