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T. -C. Yen

Publications and source records attributed to T. -C. Yen.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Searches for millisecond pulsar candidates among the unidentified Fermi objects

Here we report the results of searching millisecond pulsar (MSP) candidates from the Fermi LAT second source catalog (2FGL). Seven unassociated $γ-$ray sources in this catalog are identified as promising MSP candidates based on their $γ$-ray properties. Through the X-ray analysis, we have detected possible X-ray counterparts, localized to an arcsecond accuracy. We have systematically estimated their X-ray fluxes and compared with the corresponding $γ$-ray fluxes. The X-ray to $γ$-ray flux ratios for 2FGL J1653.6-0159 and 2FGL J1946.4-5402 are comparable with the typical value for pulsars. For 2FGL J1625.2-0020, 2FGL J1653.6-0159 and 2FGL J1946.4-5402, their candidate X-ray counterparts are bright enough for performing a detailed spectral and temporal analysis to discriminate their thermal/non thermal nature and search for the periodic signal. We have also searched for possible optical/IR counterparts at the X-ray positions. For the optical/IR source coincident with the brightest X-ray object that associated with 2FGL J1120.0-2204, its spectral energy distribution is comparable with a late-type star. Evidence for the variability has also been found by examining its optical light curve. All the aforementioned 2FGL sources resemble a pulsar in one or more aspects, which make them as the promising targets for follow-up investigations.

astro-ph.HE

Discovery of an ultracompact gamma-ray millisecond pulsar binary candidate

We report multi-wavelength observations of the unidentified Fermi object 2FGL J1653.6-0159. With the help of high-resolution X-ray observation, we have identified an X-ray and optical counterpart of 2FGL J1653.6-0159. The source exhibits a periodic modulation of 75 min in optical and possibly also in X-ray. We suggest that 2FGL J1653.6-0159 is a compact binary system with an orbital period of 75 min. Combining the gamma-ray and X-ray properties, 2FGL J1653.6-0159 is potentially a black widow/redback type gamma-ray millisecond pulsar (MSP). The optical and X-ray lightcurve profiles show that the companion is mildly heated by the high-energy emission and the X-rays are from intrabinary shock. Although no radio pulsation has been detected yet, we estimated that the spin period of the MSP is ~2ms based on a theoretical model. If pulsation can be confirmed in the future, 2FGL J1653.6-0159 will become the first ultracompact rotation-powered MSP.

astro-ph.HE

Identification of the Optical Counterpart of Fermi Black Widow Millisecond Pulsar PSR J1544+4937

We report the optical identification of the companion to the {\it Fermi} black widow millisecond pulsar PSR J1544+4937. We find a highly variable source on Keck LRIS images at the nominal pulsar position, with 2 magnitude variations over orbital period in the B, g, R, and I bands. The nearly achromatic light curves are difficult to explain with a simply irradiated hemisphere model, and suggest that the optical emission is dominated by a nearly isothermal hot patch on the surface of the companion facing the pulsar. We roughly constrain the distance to PSR J1544+4937 to be between 2 and 5 kpc. A more reliable distance measurement is needed in order to constrain the composition of the companion.

astro-ph.HE

Swift observations of the ultraluminous X-ray source Holmberg IX X-1

Holmberg IX X-1 is a well-known ultraluminous X-ray source with an X-ray luminosity of ~1e40 erg/s. The source has been monitored by the X-ray Telescope of Swift regularly. Since 2009 April, the source has been in an extended low luminosity state. We utilize the co-added spectra taken at different luminosity states to study the spectral behavior of the source. Simple power-law and multi-color disk blackbody models can be ruled out. The best overall fits, however, are provided by a dual thermal model with a cool blackbody and a warm disk blackbody. This suggests that Holmberg IX X-1 may be a 10 solar-mass black hole accreting at 7 times above the Eddington limit or a 100 solar-mass maximally rotating black hole accreting at the Eddington limit, and we are observing both the inner regions of the accretion disk and outflows from the compact object.

astro-ph.HE