Parkes observations for project P885 semester 2018OCTS_11

We propose to observe PSR J1622-4950 and 1E1547.0-5408 weekly, two
of three magnetars known to currently emit radio pulsations, to
track their rotation, flux density, and polarisation. Less frequently
we will monitor XTE J1810-197, which used to emit radio pulsations,
to be on the lookout for its revival - as recently happened with PSR
J1622-4950, which turned on in 2017 after more than 2 years dormant!
These observations yield a continuous record of torque, illuminating
the continued release of magnetic energy. Our broader aims are to
develop a better understanding of the dynamical behaviour of magnetar
magnetospheres, and to establish the conditions under which radio
emission takes place therein, in addition to characterising their
variable radio emission in order to place constraints on the emission
mechanisms, which in at least some respects differ from those of
ordinary pulsars.

本研究拟对目前已知的3颗具备射电脉冲发射能力的磁星（magnetar）中的两颗——PSR J1622-4950与1E1547.0-5408开展每周一次的观测，以追踪其自转状态、辐射流量密度与偏振特性。对于曾发射射电脉冲的XTE J1810-197，我们将以较低频次实施监测，以期捕捉其脉冲活动的复苏——正如PSR J1622-4950近期的表现：该源在沉寂两年多后，于2017年重新激活。此类观测将获取连续的自转扭矩（torque）记录，用以阐明磁星磁能的持续释放过程。本研究的整体目标包括：深化对磁星磁层动力学行为的认知，明确其射电辐射产生的物理条件；此外，通过对其变化的射电辐射特征进行系统性表征，为辐射机制限定约束条件——该机制在至少部分层面上与普通脉冲星的辐射机制存在差异。