Parkes observations for project P995 semester 2018OCTS_01

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.

本研究拟对大麦哲伦云内的极年轻脉冲星PSR B0540–69开展观测，以探测这一传统射电宁静源的脉冲辐射流量。本次观测的动机源于一项相对近期的X射线观测结果：该脉冲星的自转减慢速率出现36%的变化，学界普遍认为这一现象源于其磁层过程的状态改变。已有研究表明，这类状态变化或伴随脉冲辐射流量的提升——例如在间歇式脉冲星的行为中已观测到此类现象。此外，PSR B0540–69是少数已知会发射巨脉冲的脉冲星之一。借助全新的超宽带低频（UWL）接收机系统，我们将能够在射电波段对该源开展迄今灵敏度最高的观测。若成功探测到脉冲辐射流量，将为理解该脉冲星的磁层演化与行为模式提供重要见解，并有助于进一步阐明其自转突变行为如何影响辐射特性。即便未能探测到脉冲辐射流量，我们仍将以前所未有的灵敏度开展PSR B0540–69的巨脉冲行为研究。