Parkes observations for project P995 semester 2018OCTS_21

We propose to perform observations of the very young pulsar PSR B0540–69 in the Large Magellanic Cloud to detect pulsed flux from this traditionally radio-quiet source. We are motivated to do so due to a relatively recent X-ray observation of a 36% change in its spin down rate, thought to be due to a state change in its magnetospheric processes. There is reason to believe this may be accompanied by an increase in pulsed flux, as has been seen in intermittent pulsar behaviour, for example. Additionally, PSR B0540–69 is known to emit giant pulses, one of only a small number of pulsars to do so. With the new Ultra Wideband Low-frequency (UWL) receiver system, we will be able to conduct the highest sensitivity observations of this source yet achieved at radio wavelengths. A successful detection of pulsed flux will provide important insight into the magnetospheric evolution and behaviour in this pulsar, and a better understanding of how its glitch behaviour may influence its emission. Even without such a detection, we will be able to study the giant pulse behaviour of PSR B0540–69 with unprecedented sensitivity.

我们拟对大麦哲伦云（Large Magellanic Cloud）中的年轻脉冲星（pulsar）PSR B0540–69开展观测，以探测这一传统射电宁静源的脉冲通量（pulsed flux）。我们开展此项观测的动机源于近期一项X射线观测——该脉冲星的自旋减速速率（spin down rate）发生了36%的变化，这被认为是其磁层过程（magnetospheric processes）状态改变所致。有理由认为，这一变化可能伴随脉冲通量的增加，例如间歇性脉冲星（intermittent pulsar）的行为中就曾观测到此类现象。此外，PSR B0540–69已知会发射巨脉冲（giant pulses），是少数具备该特性的脉冲星之一。借助新型超宽带低频（UWL）接收系统，我们将能够对该源进行射电波波长下迄今为止最高灵敏度的观测。若成功探测到脉冲通量，将为理解该脉冲星的磁层演化与行为提供重要洞见，并有助于深化对其自转突变行为（glitch behaviour）如何影响辐射的认识。即便未能探测到脉冲通量，我们仍能以前所未有的灵敏度研究PSR B0540–69的巨脉冲行为。