Peculiar Spin Frequency and Radio Profile Evolution of PSR J1119$-$6127 Following Magnetar-like X-ray Bursts


Abstract in English

We present the spin frequency and profile evolution of the radio pulsar J1119$-$6127 following magnetar-like X-ray bursts from the system in 2016 July. Using data from the Parkes radio telescope, we observe a smooth and fast spin-down process subsequent to the X-ray bursts resulting in a net change in the pulsar rotational frequency of $Delta uapprox-4times10^{-4}$,Hz. During the transition, a net spin-down rate increase of $Deltadot uapprox-1times10^{-10}$,Hz,s$^{-1}$ is observed, followed by a return of $dot{ u}$ to its original value. In addition, the radio pulsations disappeared after the X-ray bursts and reappeared about two weeks later with the flux density at 1.4,GHz increased by a factor of five. The flux density then decreased and undershot the normal flux density followed by a slow recovery back to normal. The pulsars integrated profile underwent dramatic and short-term changes in total intensity, polarization and position angle. Despite the complex evolution, we observe correlations between the spin-down rate, pulse profile shape and radio flux density. Strong single pulses have been detected after the X-ray bursts with their energy distributions evolving with time. The peculiar but smooth spin frequency evolution of PSR~J1119$-$6127 accompanied by systematic pulse profile and flux density changes are most likely to be a result of either reconfiguration of the surface magnetic fields or particle winds triggered by the X-ray bursts. The recovery of spin-down rate and pulse profile to normal provides us the best case to study the connection between high magnetic-field pulsars and magnetars.

Download