arXiv subjects

Han-Long Peng

Publications and source records attributed to Han-Long Peng.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Discovery of Short-Term {\gamma}-Ray Pulsed Radiation Variations Following a Glitch in PSR J0205+6449

Rotation-powered pulsars exhibit stable emission characteristics most of the time. However, their radiative state can vary with the sudden changes of rotational state such as glitches. To date, pulsed radiation changes associated with glitches have only been detected in the radio band. Since the emission regions of radio and $\gamma$-ray may differ, searching and investigating whether glitches can induce changes in high-energy radiation would further deepen our understanding of how glitches affect the magnetosphere of pulsars. We report successive variations in the $\gamma$-ray pulsed radiation of PSR J0205+6449 following the glitch at MJD 54904 observed by the {\sl Fermi}/LAT. The amplitude ratio of the two peaks showed a hint of an increase during MJD 54905--54940 initially, followed by a recovery to the mean level and a significant ($>5\,\sigma$) decrease in the separation between the two peaks over MJD 54940--55000. The amplitude ratio of the two peaks increased ($\sim3\,\sigma$) again in MJD 55000--55160, accompanied by a marginal flux variation. Finally, the pulsed radiation reverted to its normal state. This is the first significant detection of pulsed radiation variation associated with a glitch in $\gamma$-ray pulsars. We attribute this to magnetospheric reconfiguration triggered by localized crustal breaking and associated elastic displacement near the polar cap following the glitch.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Timing and Spectral Studies of PSR J2022+3842 with NICER and NuSTAR

We report on the long-term timing analysis of PSR J2022+3842 using observations from the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), along with spectral properties derived from joint observations with NICER and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR). Two large glitches are identified around MJD 58335 with $\Delta\nu=25.35(2)\times10^{-6}$ Hz and MJD 58875 with $\Delta\nu=52.078(6)\times10^{-6}$ Hz. Furthermore, phase-resolved spectroscopy reveals that the X-ray emission is well described by a power-law model across different phase intervals. The phase-integrated X-ray spectrum (1-79 keV) has a photon index of $\Gamma=1.22(7)$, yielding an unabsorbed 0.5-10 keV flux of $8.9(6)\times10^{-13}$ erg cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$. The main pulse spectrum (1.2-79 keV) and the inter-pulse spectrum (1-70 keV) are harder with $\Gamma=1.17(4)$ and $\Gamma=1.03^{+0.07}_{-0.06}$ separately, producing an unabsorbed 0.5-10 keV flux of $33.2(2)\times10^{-13}$ erg cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ and $29(3)\times10^{-13}$ erg cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$. Investigation of the pulse profile evolution with time shows that no significant variations were observed.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Resolving the 2024 Outburst of Magnetar 1E 1841-045 from its host Supernova Remnant with EP-FXT

The magnetar 1E 1841-045 exhibited a new active episode starting on August 20, 2024, marked by X-ray bursts and enhanced persistent emission. Using data from the Einstein Probe (EP), we report on the timing and spectral results following the onset of this outburst. The pulse profile displays a multi-peaked structure, with notable phase shifts in the secondary peak. Energy-resolved pulse profile analysis indicates a transition in the dominant peak of the pulse profile above 5.8 keV. The 0.5-10 keV X-ray spectrum is well-modeled by a combined blackbody and power-law (BB+PL) model, showing a $\sim 20\%$ flux increase following the outburst. Phase-resolved spectroscopy indicates a correlation between BB temperature and pulse profile intensity, along with spectral hardening at a specific pulse phase. The high spatial resolution of EP enables effective separation of the supernova remnant emission, which is crucial for measuring the intrinsic pulse emission of the source. These findings underscore the intricate relationship between magnetar outbursts, pulse profile evolution, and spectral characteristics.

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arXiv2026

Long-term timing evolution of four Anomalous X-Ray Pulsars

Anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs) and soft gamma-ray repeaters (SGRs) are believed to be manifestations of magnetars. Typically, AXPs exhibit higher X-ray luminosities, whereas SGRs are generally fainter and display significantly high signal-to-noise ratios only during their outburst phases. In this work, we report the long-term timing evolution of four AXPs: 1E 2259+586, 4U 0142+61, 1RXS J170849.0-400910 and 1E 1841-045, which were regularly monitored with NICER from 2017 to 2024. Over this period, we identify a total of 10 timing events. In addition to one glitch and one anti-glitch in 1E 2259+586 reported in literature, we detect another 8 new timing events: 5 glitches, 2 anti-glitches, and 1 unusual state transition event. Notably, both anti-glitches were observed in 4U 0142+61, making it the most frequent source of such events, and there is a hint of regular evolution in its pulse profile. In the case of 1RXS J170849.0-400910, it continues to exhibit pronounced high-frequency timing anomalies and undergoes a state transition event. Finally, we study the evolution of the pulse profiles and find that the profiles of 1E 2259+586 and 4U 0142+61 both evolve. This is consistent with the earlier finding that pulse profile evolution is a generic feature of magnetars.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

The orbital parameters of gamma-ray binary PSR~J2032+4127

PSR~J2032+4127 is the only one of gamma-ray binary, that exhibits pulsations in gamma-ray. Previous research has indicated that the pulsar and the Be star MT91 213 orbit each other in a highly eccentric orbit with an extremely long period, with the pulsar reaching its periastron on November 13, 2017. Since its launch, the \fermi{} satellite has been monitoring this pulsar for 16 years, covering the 8 years before and the 8 years after the pulsar passed its periastron. Using these data, we present an analysis of pulse arrival times, and precisely determine the orbital parameters for the first time: the orbital period of $P_{\rm orb} \sim 52.3$ yr, the eccentricity of $e \sim 0.98$, the semimajor axis of $a$sin$i \sim 25.3$ AU, and the orbital inclination of $\sim$ 47.1$^\circ$ -- 55.1$^\circ$. We also reveal another small glitch occurred in 2021, MJD $\sim$ 59500.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Secular Evolution of PSR J2021+4026: Long-Term {\gamma}-Ray Flux and Spin-Down Variability Beyond State Transitions

PSR J2021+4026 is a remarkable $\gamma$-ray pulsar exhibiting repeated transitions between high $\gamma$-ray flux (HGF) and low $\gamma$-ray flux (LGF) states. With 17-yr Fermi-LAT monitoring, we reveal persistent secular evolution and enhanced spin-down rate variability within individual emission states -- beneath the quasi-periodic state transitions. After removing discrete jumps, the jump-corrected flux $\delta F_\gamma$ shows a three-phase evolution: rise ($+2.02^{+0.17}_{-0.15}\%~\mathrm{yr}^{-1}$), decline ($-3.72^{+0.34}_{-0.47}\%~\mathrm{yr}^{-1}$), and rapid rise ($+14.9^{+6.4}_{-4.4}\%~\mathrm{yr}^{-1}$), with all rates quoted relative to the long-term mean flux $\langle F_\gamma \rangle=7.8\times 10^{-10}\,\mathrm{erg}\,\mathrm{cm}^{-2}\,\mathrm{s}^{-1}$. Moreover, the flux of the LGF state is gradually approaching the stable HGF level at a rate of $+0.72 \pm 0.11\%~\mathrm{yr}^{-1}$. These results demonstrate that secular flux evolution in PSR J2021+4026 operates largely independently of discrete state transitions, yet jointly with them drives the system toward a stable high-flux equilibrium.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

EP250827b/SN 2025wkm: An X-ray Flash-Supernova Powered by a Central Engine and Circumstellar Interaction

We present the discovery of EP250827b/SN 2025wkm, an X-ray Flash (XRF) discovered by the Einstein Probe (EP), accompanied by a broad-line Type Ic supernova (SN Ic-BL) at $z = 0.1194$. EP250827b possesses a prompt X-ray luminosity of $\sim 10^{45} \, \rm{erg \, s^{-1}}$, lasts over 1000 seconds, and has a peak energy $E_{\rm{p}} < 1.5$ keV at 90\% confidence. SN 2025wkm possesses a double-peaked optical light curve (LC), though its bolometric luminosity plateaus after its initial peak for $\sim 20$ days, consistent with a central engine injecting additional energy into the explosion. Its spectrum transitions from a blue to red continuum with clear blueshifted broad absorption features consistent with a SN Ic-BL classification. We do not detect any transient radio emission and rule out the existence of an on-axis, energetic jet $\gtrsim 10^{50}~$erg assuming a typical LGRB circumburst constant density ($n \approx 10^{-3}$--$10^{-1}~{\rm cm}^{-3}$) and microphysical parameters ($\epsilon_{\rm e} = 0.1$ and $\epsilon_{\rm B} = 0.01$). In the model we invoke, the collapse gives rise to a long-lived magnetar, potentially surrounded by an accretion disk. Magnetically--driven winds from the magnetar and the disk mix together and break out with a velocity $\sim 0.35c$ and interact with an extended circumstellar medium with radius $\sim 10^{13}$ cm, generating X-ray breakout emission through non-thermal free-free processes. The disk outflows and magnetar winds power blackbody photospheric emission as they cool adiabatically and thermalize, producing the first SN peak. The spin-down luminosity of the magnetar and radioactive decay of $^{56}$Ni powers the late-time emission. We end by discussing the landscape of XRF-SNe within the context of EP's recent discoveries.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

A statistical study of type II outbursts of XRPs: Brighter accreting pulsars rotate faster

X-ray pulsars (XRPs) consist of a magnetized neutron star (NS) and an optical donor star. The NS accretes matter from the donor star producing pulsed X-ray emission. In most cases the donor stars are Be stars, and accretion is episodic, that is, the NSs are generally X-ray dim, but occasionally experience outbursts. Here, we carry out a statistical study with the X-ray monitoring data, and obtain strong correlations between the spin periods of the NSs and the outburst parameters for the first time. We show that XRPs containing faster rotating NSs tend to display more violent eruptions. In addition, pulsating ultraluminous X-ray sources in nearby galaxies follow the similar relationship. We demonstrate that most of these systems are close to the spin equilibrium, and that brighter pulsars have acquired more angular momentum by accreting matter from their companion stars, resulting in faster rotating NSs.

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arXiv2025

PSR J1838-0655: X-Ray Observations with NICER and NuSTAR

We report on the timing and spectral properties of PSR J1838-0655 using joint observations from the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR). By disentangling the pulsar's emission from its surrounding wind nebula across joint Chandra, NuSTAR, and NICER observations, we find the pulsar's broad-band X-ray spectrum (1.3--79\,keV) is best-described by a broken power-law model. The model features photon indices of $\Gamma_1 = 1.19 \pm 0.07$ and $\Gamma_2 = 1.47 \pm 0.02$ below and above a break energy of $E_{\rm b} = 7.7 \pm 0.8$\,keV. The resulting unabsorbed 2--10\,keV flux from the pulsar is $(9.5^{+0.4}_{-0.3}) \times 10^{-12}~\mathrm{erg\,cm^{-2}\,s^{-1}}$. Furthermore, timing analysis of NICER data spanning MJD 58250 to 60630 reveals a very large glitch occurring around MJD 59300, characterized by a frequency jump of $\Delta \nu = 29.367(7) \times 10^{-6}$ Hz, which can be well explained by the vortex creep model. Phase-resolved spectral analysis indicates a clear anti-correlation between the photon index and the pulse intensity, suggesting spectral hardening at the pulse peak.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

PSR J1231-1411 revisited: Pulse Profile Analysis of X-ray Observation

One of the primary goals of Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER)-like X-ray missions is to impose stringent constraints on the neutron star equation of state by precisely measuring their masses and radii. NICER has recently expanded the dataset of inferred mass-radius relations for neutron stars, including four rotation-powered millisecond pulsars PSR J0030+0451, PSR J0740+6620, PSR J0437-4715, and PSR J1231-1411. In this work, the mass-radius relation and X-ray emitting region properties of PSR J1231-1411 are inferred with an independent pulse profile modeling based on the spherical star Schwarzschild-spacetime and Doppler approximation. With one single-temperature elongated hot spot and one single-temperature crescent hot spot, the inferred gravitational mass is $M = 1.12 \pm 0.07 M_{\odot}$ and the inferred equatorial radius is $R_{eq} = 9.91_{-0.86}^{+0.88}$ km (68% credible intervals). It provides an alternative geometry configuration of the X-ray emitting region for PSR J1231-1411 to sufficiently explain the observation data of NICER and XMM-Newton. The inferred radius is smaller than that derived by \citet{salmi2024nicer} ($M = 1.04_{-0.03}^{+0.05} M_{\odot}$, $R_{eq} = 12.6 \pm 0.3$ km), and the inferred mass is slightly higher in this work. The inferred geometry configurations of the X-ray emitting region in both works are non-antipodal, which is not consistent with a centered dipole magnetic field and suggests a complex magnetic field structure.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

A new X-ray census of rotation powered pulsars

To date, over 4000 pulsars have been detected. In this study, we identify 231 X-ray counterparts of Australia Telescope National Facility (ATNF) pulsars by performing a spatial cross match across the Chandra, XMM-Newton observational catalogs. This dataset represents the largest sample of X-ray counterparts ever compiled, including 98 normal pulsars (NPs) and 133 millisecond pulsars (MSPs). Based on this significantly expanded sample, we re-establish the correlation between X-ray luminosity and spin-down power, given by $L_{\rm X} \propto \dot{E}^{0.85\pm0.05}$ across the whole X-ray band. The strong correlation is also observed in hard X-ray band, while in soft X-ray band there is no significant correlation. Furthermore, $L_{\rm X}$ shows a strong correlation with spin period and characteristic age for NPs. For the first time, we observe a strongly positive correlation between $L_{\rm X}$ and the light cylinder magnetic field ($B_{\rm lc}$) for MSPs, with both NPs and MSPs following the relationship $L_{\rm X} \propto B_{\rm lc}^{1.14}$, consistent with the outer-gap model of pulsars that explains the mechanism of X-ray emission. Additionally, we investigate potential X-ray counterparts for Galactic Plane Pulsar Snapshot pulsars, finding a lower likelihood of detection compared to ATNF pulsars.

astro-ph.HE↗