PSR J1744-3922: Hint of a new binary pulsar class

R. P. Breton, M. S.E. Robert, S. M. Ransom, V. M. Kaspi, M. Durant, P. Bergeron, A. J. Faulkner

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Standard binary evolution models of pulsars in very circular orbits can explain systems with lighter companions and weaker magnetic fields: they are descended from long-lived Low Mass X-ray Binaries with Roche-lobe overflow. By contrast, those having more massive companions and larger magnetic fields are descendants of Intermediate Mass systems, that experienced a common envelope phase. PSR J1744-3922 is a Galactic field binary pulsar exhibiting an unusual combination of characteristics compared to other binary pulsars with low-mass members in circular orbits: it has a relatively long spin period (172 ms), a relatively high magnetic field (1.7×1010G), a short orbital period (4.6 h) and a light companion (Mmin=0.08M). These properties are not self-consistently explained by standard evolution models and so suggest that PSR J1744-3922 has a peculiar evolutionary history. We identify some other previously catalogued Galactic field binary pulsars with similar properties and propose they are potential members of a new class of binary pulsars. Such pulsars could possibly be formed by the recycling of a pulsar originally having a magnetar-strength magnetic field, accretion-induced collapse of a massive white dwarf or a special case of common envelope accretion from a low-mass star.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication40 Years Of Pulsars
Subtitle of host publicationMillisecond Pulsars, Magnetars and More
Pages479-481
Number of pages3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008
Event40 Years Of Pulsars: Millisecond Pulsars, Magnetars and More - Montreal, QC, Canada
Duration: Aug 12 2007Aug 17 2007

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume983
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Other

Other40 Years Of Pulsars: Millisecond Pulsars, Magnetars and More
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityMontreal, QC
Period8/12/078/17/07

Keywords

  • Binary evolution
  • Binary pulsar
  • PSR J1744-3922

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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