arXiv subjects

Paulo C. C. Freire

Publications and source records attributed to Paulo C. C. Freire.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

A Massive Pulsar in a Compact Relativistic Binary

Many physically motivated extensions to general relativity (GR) predict significant deviations in the properties of spacetime surrounding massive neutron stars. We report the measurement of a 2.01 +/- 0.04 solar mass pulsar in a 2.46-hr orbit with a 0.172 +/- 0.003 solar mass white dwarf. The high pulsar mass and the compact orbit make this system a sensitive laboratory of a previously untested strong-field gravity regime. Thus far, the observed orbital decay agrees with GR, supporting its validity even for the extreme conditions present in the system. The resulting constraints on deviations support the use of GR-based templates for ground-based gravitational wave detectors. Additionally, the system strengthens recent constraints on the properties of dense matter and provides insight to binary stellar astrophysics and pulsar recycling.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2012

The Pulsar Population in Globular Clusters and in the Galaxy

In this paper, I review some of the basic properties of the pulsar population in globular clusters (GCs) and compare it with the the Galactic disk population. The neutron stars (NSs) in GCs were likely formed - and appear to continue forming - in highly symmetric supernovae (SNe), likely from accretion-induced collapse (AIC). I review the many pulsar finds and discuss some particularly well populated GCs and why they are so. I then discuss some particularly interesting objects, like millisecond pulsars (MSPs) with eccentric orbits, which were heavily perturbed by passing stars. Some of these systems, like NGC 1851A and NGC 6544B, are almost certainly the result of exchange interactions, i.e., they are witnesses to the very same processes that created the large population of MSPs in the first place. I also review briefly the problem posed by the presence of young pulsars in GCs (with a special emphasis on a sub-class of young pulsars, the super-energetic MSPs), which suggest continuing formation of NSs in low-velocity SNe. In the final section, I discuss the possibility of an analogous population in the Galaxy and highlight a particularly interesting case, PSR J1903+0327, where the primary neutron star appears to have formed with a small-velocity kick and small fractional mass loss. Systems with primary NSs formed in electron-capture SNe should constitute a distinct low-velocity Galactic population akin in many respects to the GC population. Current high-resolution surveys of the Galactic plane should be able to detect it clearly.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2012

Tests of the universality of free fall for strongly self-gravitating bodies with radio pulsars

In this paper, we review tests of the strong equivalence principle (SEP) derived from pulsar-white dwarf data. The extreme difference in binding energy between both components and the precise measurement of the orbital motion provided by pulsar timing allow the only current precision SEP tests for strongly self-gravitating bodies. We start by highlighting why such tests are conceptually important. We then review previous work where limits on SEP violation are obtained with an ensemble of wide binary systems with small eccentricity orbits. Then we propose a new SEP violation test based on the measurement of the variation of the orbital eccentricity de/dt. This new method has the following advantages: a) unlike previous methods it is not based on probabilistic considerations, b) it can make a direct detection of SEP violation, c) the measurement of de/dt is not contaminated by any known external effects, which implies that this SEP test is only restricted by the measurement precision of de/dt. In the final part of the review, we conceptually compare the SEP test with the test for dipolar radiation damping, a phenomenon closely related to SEP violation, and speculate on future prospects by new types of tests in globular clusters and future triple systems.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2012

The relativistic pulsar-white dwarf binary PSR J1738+0333 II. The most stringent test of scalar-tensor gravity

(abridged) We report the results of a 10-year timing campaign on PSR J1738+0333, a 5.85-ms pulsar in a low-eccentricity 8.5-hour orbit with a low-mass white dwarf companion (...) The measurements of proper motion and parallax allow for a precise subtraction of the kinematic contribution to the observed orbital decay; this results in a significant measurement of the intrinsic orbital decay: (-25.9 +/- 3.2) \times 10^{-15} s/s. This is consistent with the orbital decay from the emission of gravitational waves predicted by general relativity, (-27.7 +1.5/-1.9) \times 10^{-15} s/s (...). This agreement introduces a tight upper limit on dipolar gravitational wave emission, a prediction of most alternative theories of gravity for asymmetric binary systems such as this. We use this limit to derive the most stringent constraints ever on a wide class of gravity theories, where gravity involves a scalar field contribution. When considering general scalar-tensor theories of gravity, our new bounds are more stringent than the best current solar-system limits over most of the parameter space, and constrain the matter-scalar coupling constant α_0^2 to be below the 10^{-5} level. For the special case of the Jordan-Fierz-Brans-Dicke, we obtain the one-sigma bound α_0^2 < 2 \times 10^{-5}, which is within a factor two of the Cassini limit. We also use our limit on dipolar gravitational wave emission to constrain a wide class of theories of gravity which are based on a generalization of Bekenstein's Tensor-Vector-Scalar gravity (TeVeS), a relativistic formulation of Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND).

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2012

The Timing of Nine Globular Cluster Pulsars

We have used the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope to time nine previously known pulsars without published timing solutions in the globular clusters M62, NGC 6544, and NGC 6624. We have full timing solutions that measure the spin, astrometric, and (where applicable) binary parameters for six of these pulsars. The remaining three pulsars (reported here for the first time) were not detected enough to establish solutions. We also report our timing solutions for five pulsars with previously published solutions, and find good agreement with past authors, except for PSR J1701-3006B in M62. Gas in this system is probably responsible for the discrepancy in orbital parameters, and we have been able to measure a change in the orbital period over the course of our observations. Among the pulsars with new solutions we find several binary pulsars with very low mass companions (members of the so-called "black widow" class) and we are able to place constraints on the mass-to-light ratio in two clusters. We confirm that one of the pulsars in NGC 6624 is indeed a member of the rare class of non-recycled pulsars found in globular clusters. We also have measured the orbital precession and Shapiro delay for a relativistic binary in NGC 6544. If we assume that the orbital precession can be described entirely by general relativity, which is likely, we are able to measure the total system mass (2.57190(73) M_sun) and companion mass (1.2064(20) M_sun), from which we derive the orbital inclination [sin(i) = 0.9956(14)] and the pulsar mass (1.3655(21) M_sun), the most precise such measurement ever obtained for a millisecond pulsar. The companion is the most massive known around a fully recycled pulsar.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2011

Six New Recycled Globular Cluster Pulsars Discovered with the Green Bank Telescope

We have completed sensitive searches for new pulsars in seven globular clusters using the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope, and have discovered six new recycled pulsars (four in NGC 6517 and two in M22), five of which are fully recycled millisecond pulsars with P < 10 ms. We report full timing solutions for all six new pulsars and provide estimates of their flux densities and spectral indices. None of the pulsars are detected in archival Chandra data down to L_X~10^32 erg/s for NGC 6517 and L_X~10^31 erg/s for M22. One of the millisecond pulsars in M22 appears to have a very low mass companion, and is likely a new "black widow". A second binary pulsar in NGC 6517 is in a long-period, mildly eccentric orbit. We are able to set some lower limits on the age of the system, and find that it may be less than a few hundred million years old, which would indicate recent pulsar recycling in NGC 6517. An isolated pulsar in NGC 6517 that lies about 20 core radii from the cluster center appears to have been ejected from the core by interacting with a massive binary. By analyzing the luminosity function of the pulsars in NGC 6517, we predict the cluster to harbor roughly a dozen pulsars. We use the observed period derivatives of three pulsars to set lower limits on the mass-to-light ratios in the cores of their host clusters, and find no evidence for large amounts of low-luminosity matter. We also discuss reasons for non-detections in some of the clusters we searched.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

Chandra X-ray Observations of 12 Millisecond Pulsars in the Globular Cluster M28

We present a Chandra X-ray Observatory investigation of the millisecond pulsars (MSPs) in the globular cluster M28 (NGC 6626). In what is one of the deepest X-ray observations of a globular cluster, we firmly detect seven and possibly detect two of the twelve known M28 pulsars. With the exception of PSRs B1821-24 and J1824-2452H, the detected pulsars have relatively soft spectra, with X-ray luminosities 10^30-31 ergs s^-1 (0.3-8 keV),similar to most "recycled" pulsars in 47 Tucanae and the field of the Galaxy, implying thermal emission from the pulsar magnetic polar caps. We present the most detailed X-ray spectrum to date of the energetic PSR B1821-24. It is well described by a purely non-thermal spectrum with spectral photon index 1.23 and luminosity 1.4x10^33Theta(D/5.5 kpc)^2 ergs s^-1 (0.3-8 keV), where Theta is the fraction of the sky covered by the X-ray emission beam(s). We find no evidence for the previously reported line emission feature around 3.3 keV, most likely as a consequence of improvements in instrument calibration. The X-ray spectrum and pulse profile of PSR B1821--24 suggest that the bulk of unpulsed emission from this pulsar is not of thermal origin, and is likely due to low-level non-thermal magnetospheric radiation, an unresolved pulsar wind nebula, and/or small-angle scattering of the pulsed X-rays by interstellar dust grains. The peculiar binary PSR J1824-2452H shows a relatively hard X-ray spectrum and possible variability at the binary period, indicative of an intrabinary shock formed by interaction between the relativistic pulsar wind and matter from its non-degenerate companion star.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

The orthometric parameterisation of the Shapiro delay and an improved test of general relativity with binary pulsars

(abridged) In this paper, we express the relativistic propagational delay of light in the space-time of a binary system (commonly known as the "Shapiro delay") as a sum of harmonics of the orbital period of the system. We do this first for near-circular orbits as a natural expansion of an existing orbital model for low-eccentricity binary systems. The amplitudes of the 3rd and higher harmonics can be described by two new post-Keplerian (PK) parameters proportional to the amplitudes of the third and fourth harmonics (h_3, h_4). For high orbital inclinations we use a PK parameter proportional to the ratio of amplitudes of successive harmonics (sigma) instead of h_4. The new PK parameters are much less correlated with each other than r and s and provide a superior description of the constraints introduced by the Shapiro delay on the orbital inclination and the masses of the components of the binary (...). We extend the h_3,sigma parameterisation to eccentric binaries with high orbital inclinations. For some such binaries we can measure extra PK parameters and test general relativity using the Shapiro delay parameters. In this case we can use the measurement of h_3 as a test of general relativity. We show that this new test is not only more stringent than the r test, but it is even more stringent than the previous s test. Until now this new parametric test could only be derived statistically from an analysis of a probabilistic chi2 map.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2009

Eccentric Binary Millisecond Pulsars

In this paper we review the recent discovery of several millisecond pulsars (MSPs) in eccentric binary systems. Timing these MSPs we were able to estimate (and in one case precisely measure) their masses. These results suggest that, as a class, MSPs have a much wider range of masses (1.3 to > 2 solar masses) than the normal and mildly recycled pulsars found in double neutron star (DNS) systems (1.25 < Mp < 1.44 solar masses). This is very likely to be due to the prolonged accretion episode that is thought to be required to form a MSP. The likely existence of massive MSPs makes them a powerful probe for understanding the behavior of matter at densities larger than that of the atomic nucleus; in particular, the precise measurement of the mass of PSR J1903+0327 ($1.67 +/- 0.01 solar masses) excludes several "soft" equations of state for dense matter.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2008

A Massive Neutron Star in the Globular Cluster M5

We report the results of 19 years of Arecibo timing for two pulsars in the globular cluster NGC 5904 (M5), PSR B1516+02A (M5A) and PSR B1516+02B (M5B). This has resulted in the measurement of the proper motions of these pulsars and, by extension, that of the cluster itself. M5B is a 7.95-ms pulsar in a binary system with a > 0.13 solar mass companion and an orbital period of 6.86 days. In deep HST images, no optical counterpart is detected within ~2.5 sigma of the position of the pulsar, implying that the companion is either a white dwarf or a low-mass main-sequence star. The eccentricity of the orbit (e = 0.14) has allowed a measurement of the rate of advance of periastron: (0.0142 +/-0.0007) degrees per year. We argue that it is very likely that this periastron advance is due to the effects of general relativity, the total mass of the binary system then being 2.29 +/-0.17 solar masses. The small measured mass function implies, in a statistical sense, that a very large fraction of this total mass is contained in the pulsar: 2.08 +/- 0.19 solar masses (1 sigma); there is a 5% probability that the mass of this object is < 1.72 solar masses and a 0.77% probability that is is between 1.2 and 1.44 solar masses. Confirmation of the median mass for this neutron star would exclude most ``soft'' equations of state for dense neutron matter. Millisecond pulsars (MSPs) appear to have a much wider mass distribution than is found in double neutron star systems; about half of these objects are significantly more massive than 1.44 solar masses. A possible cause is the much longer episode of mass accretion necessary to recycle a MSP, which in some cases corresponds to a much larger mass transfer.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Super-Massive Neutron Stars

We present here the results of Arecibo timing of PSR B1516+02B, a 7.95-ms pulsar in a binary system with a ~0.17 solar mass companion and an orbital period of 6.85 days located in the globular cluster M5. The eccentricity of the orbit (e = 0.14) has allowed a measurement of the rate of advance of periastron: (0.0136 +/- 0.0007) degrees per year. It is very likely that the periastron advance is due to the effects of general relativity; the total mass of the binary system is (2.14 +/-0.16) solar masses. The small measured mass function implies, in a statistical sense, that a very large fraction of this total mass is contained in the pulsar: (1.94+0.17 -0.19) solar masses (1-sigma); there is a 5% probability that the mass of this object is below 1.59 solar masses. With the possible exception of PSR J1748-2021B, this is the largest neutron star mass measured to date. When combined with similar measurements made previously for Terzan 5 I and J, we can exclude, in a statistical sense, the ``soft'' equations of state for dense neutron matter, implying that matter at the center of a neutron star is highly incompressible. There is also some evidence for a bimodal distribution of MSP masses, the reasons for that are not clear.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Eight new MSPs in NGC 6440 and NGC 6441

We report the discovery of five new millisecond pulsars in the globular cluster NGC 6440 and three new ones in NGC 6441; each cluster has one previously known pulsar. Four of the new pulsars are found in binary systems. One of the new pulsars, PSR J1748-2021B in NGC 6440, is notable for its eccentric (e = 0.57) and wide (P_b = 20.5 days) orbit. If the rate of advance of periastron is due solely to general relativity, we can estimate of the total mass of this binary system: 2.92 +/- 0.20 solar masses. This would imply an anomalously large mass for this pulsar, which could introduce important constraints in the study of the equation of state for cold neutron matter.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

PSR J1738+0333: a new gravitational laboratory

We describe in this paper a new binary millisecond pulsar, PSR J1738+0333. Using Arecibo, we have achieved good timing accuracy for this object, about 220 ns for 1-hour integrations over 100 MHz. This allowed us to measure a precise proper motion, parallax and orbital parameters for this system. We highlight the system's potential for constraining alternative theories of gravitation.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

The Eccentric Binary Millisecond Pulsar in NGC 1851

PSR J0514-4002A is a 5-ms pulsar is located in the globular cluster NGC 1851; it belongs to a highly eccentric (e = 0.888) binary system. It is one of the earliest known examples of a numerous and fast-growing class of eccentric binary MSPs recently discovered in globular clusters. Using the GBT, we have obtained a phase-coherent timing solution for the pulsar, which includes a measurement of the rate of advance of periastron: 0.01289(4) degrees per year, which if due completely to general relativity, implies a total system mass of 2.453(14) solar masses. We also derive m_p < 1.5 solar masses and m_c > 0.96 solar masses. The companion is likely to be a massive white dwarf star.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Eight New Millisecond Pulsars in NGC 6440 and NGC 6441

Motivated by the recent discovery of 30 new millisecond pulsars in Terzan 5, made using the Green Bank Telescope's S-band receiver and the Pulsar Spigot spectrometer, we have set out to use the same observing system in a systematic search for pulsars in other globular clusters. Here we report on the discovery of five new pulsars in NGC 6440 and three in NGC 6441; each cluster previously had one known pulsar. Using the most recent distance estimates to these clusters, we conclude that there are as many potentially observable pulsars in NGC 6440 and NGC 6441 as in Terzan 5. We present timing solutions for all of the pulsars in these globular clusters. Four of the new discoveries are in binary systems; one of them, PSR J1748-2021B (NGC 6440B), has a wide (P_b = 20.5 d) and eccentric (e = 0.57) orbit. This allowed a measurement of its rate of advance of periastron: 0.00391(18) degrees per year. If due to the effects of general relativity, the total mass of this binary system is 2.92 +/- 0.20 solar masses (1 sigma), implying a median pulsar mass of 2.74 +/- 0.21 solar masses. There is a 1 % probability that the inclination is low enough that pulsar mass is below 2 solar masses, and 0.10 % probability that it is between 1.20 and 1.44 solar masses. If confirmed, this anomalously large mass would strongly constrain the equation of state for dense matter. The other highly eccentric binary, PSR J1750-37A, has e = 0.71, and periastron advance of 0.0055(3) degrees per year, implying a total system mass of 1.97 +/-0.15 solar masses and, along with the mass function, maximum and median pulsar masses of 1.65 and 1.26 solar masses respectively.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Solving the mystery of Iapetus

For a much better-founded theory, check Wing Ip, GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 33, L16203, doi:10.1029/2005GL025386, 2006 (see also http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/gl0616/2005GL025386/)

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Chandra X-Ray Observations of Nineteen Millisecond Pulsars in the Globular Cluster 47 Tucanae

We present spectral and long-timescale variability analyses of \textit{Chandra} ACIS-S observations of the 19 millisecond pulsars (MSPs) with precisely known positions in the globular cluster 47 Tucanae. The X-ray emission of the majority of these MSPs is well described by a thermal (blackbody or neutron star hydrogen atmosphere) spectrum with a temperature $T_{\rm eff}\sim(1-3)\times10^6$ K, emission radius $R_{\rm eff}\sim0.1-3$ km, and luminosity $L_{X}\sim10^{30-31}$ ergs s$^{-1}$. For several MSPs, there is indication that a second thermal component is required, similar to what is seen in some nearby field MSPs. The radio-eclipsing binary MSPs 47 Tuc J, O, and W show a significant non-thermal component, with photon index $Γ\sim 1-1.5$, which may originate in an shock formed due to interaction between the relativistic pulsar wind and matter from the stellar companion. We re-examine the X-ray--spindown luminosity relation ($L_{X}-\dot{E}$) and find that due to the large uncertainties in both parameters the result is consistent with both the linear $L_{X}-\dot{E}$ relation and the flatter $L_X\propto\dot{E}^{0.5}$ predicted by polar cap heating models. In terms of X-ray properties, we find no clear systematic differences between MSPs in globular clusters and in the field of the Galaxy.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

A Radio Pulsar Spinning at 716 Hz

We have discovered a 716-Hz eclipsing binary radio pulsar in the globular cluster Terzan 5 using the Green Bank Telescope. It is the fastest-spinning neutron star ever found, breaking the 23-year-old record held by the 642-Hz pulsar B1937+21. The difficulty in detecting this pulsar, due to its very low flux density and high eclipse fraction (~40% of the orbit), suggests that even faster-spinning neutron stars exist. If the pulsar has a mass less than 2 Msun, then its radius is constrained by the spin rate to be < 16 km. The short period of this pulsar also constrains models that suggest gravitational radiation, through an r-mode instability, limits the maximum spin frequency of neutron stars.

astro-ph↗