Population study for γ\gamma-ray emitting Millisecond Pulsars and FermiFermi unidentified sources

The $Fermi$-LAT has revealed that rotation powered millisecond pulsars (MSPs) are a major contributor to the Galactic $\gamma$-ray source population. We discuss the $\gamma$-ray emission process within the context of the outer gap accelerator model, and use a Monte-Calro method to simulate the Galactic population of the $\gamma$-ray emitting MSPs. We find that the outer gap accelerator controlled by the magnetic pair-creation process is preferable in explaining the possible correlation between the $\gamma$-ray luminosity and the spin down power. Our Monte-Calro simulation implies that most of the $\gamma$-ray emitting MSPs are radio quiet in the present sensitivity of the radio survey, indicating that most of the $\gamma$-ray MSPs have been unidentified. We argue that the Galactic $Fermi$ unidentified sources located at high latitudes should be dominated by MSPs, whereas the sources in the galactic plane are dominated by radio-quiet canonical pulsars.Comment: 2011 Fermi Symposium proceedings - eConf C11050

Three-dimensional Two-Layer Outer Gap Model: Fermi Energy Dependent Light Curves of the Vela Pulsar

We extend the two-dimensional two-layer outer gap model to a three-dimensional geometry and use it to study the high-energy emission of the Vela pulsar. In this model, the outer gap is divided into two parts, i.e. the main acceleration region on the top of last-open field lines and the screening region around the upper boundary of the gap. In the main acceleration region, the charge density is much lower than the Goldreich-Julian charge density and the charged particles are accelerated by the electric field along the magnetic field to emit multi-GeV photons. In the screening region, the charge density is larger than the Goldreich-Julian value to close the gap and particles in this region are responsible for multi-100MeV photon emission. We apply this three dimensional two-layer model to the Vela pulsar and compare the model light curves, the phase-averaged spectrum and the phase-resolved spectra with the recent Fermi observations, which also reveals the existence of the third peak between two main peaks. The phase position of the third peak moves with the photon energy, which cannot be explained by the geometry of magnetic field structure and the caustic effects of the photon propagation. We suggest that the existence of the third peak and its energy dependent movement results from the azimuthal structure of the outer gap.Comment: 11 pages, 15 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Three-dimensional Two-Layer Outer Gap Model: the Third Peak of Vela Pulsar

We extend the two-dimensional two-layer outer gap model to a three-dimensional geometry and use it to study the high-energy emission of the Vela pulsar. We apply this three-dimensional two-layer model to the Vela pulsar and compare the model light curves, the phase-averaged spectrum and the phase-resolved spectra with the recent Fermi observations, which also reveals the existence of the third peak between two main peaks. The phase position of the third peak moves with the photon energy, which cannot be explained by the geometry of magnetic field structure and the caustic effect of the photon propagation. We suggest that the existence of the third peak and its energy dependent movement results from the azimuthal structure of the outer gap.Comment: 2011 Fermi Symposium proceedings - eConf C11050

Radiation Mechanism of the Soft Gamma-ray Pulsar PSR B1509-58

The outer gap model is used here to explain the spectrum and the energy dependent light curves of the X-ray and soft gamma-ray radiations of the spin-down powered pulsar PSR B1509-58.In the outer gap model, most pairs inside the gap are created around the null charge surface and the gap's electric field separates the two charges to move in opposite directions. Consequently, the region from the null charge surface to the light cylinder is dominated by the outflow of particles and that from the null charge surface to the star is dominated by the inflow of particles. The inflow and outflow of particles move along the magnetic field lines and emit curvature photons, and the incoming curvature photons are converted to pairs by the strong magnetic field of the star. These pairs emit synchrotron photons. We suggest that the X-rays and soft gamma-rays of PSR B1509-58 result from the synchrotron radiation of these pairs, and the viewing angle of PSR B1509-58 only receives the inflow radiation. The magnetic pair creation requires a large pitch angle, which makes the pulse profile of the synchrotron radiation distinct from that of the curvature radiation. We carefully trace the pulse profiles of the synchrotron radiation with different pitch angles. We find that the differences between the light curves of different energy bands are due to the different pitch angles of the secondary pairs, and the second peak appearing at E>10MeV comes from the region near the star, where the stronger magnetic field allows the pair creation to happen with a smaller pitch angle.Comment: 5 pages, 8 figures, 2012 Fermi Symposium proceedings - eConf C12102

A re-visit of the phase-resolved X-ray and \gamma-ray spectra of the Crab pulsar

We use a modified outer gap model to study the multi-frequency phase-resolved spectra of the Crab pulsar. The emissions from both poles contribute to the light curve and the phase-resolved spectra. Using the synchrotron self-Compton mechanism and by considering the incomplete conversion of curvature photons into secondary pairs, the observed phase-averaged spectrum from 100 eV - 10 GeV can be explained very well. The predicted phase-resolved spectra can match the observed data reasonably well, too. We find that the emission from the north pole mainly contributes to Leading Wing 1. The emissions in the remaining phases are mainly dominated by the south pole. The widening of the azimuthal extension of the outer gap explains Trailing Wing 2. The complicated phase-resolved spectra for the phases between the two peaks, namely Trailing Wing 1, Bridge and Leading Wing 2, strongly suggest that there are at least two well-separated emission regions with multiple emission mechanisms, i.e. synchrotron radiation, inverse Compton scattering and curvature radiation. Our best fit results indicate that there may exist some asymmetry between the south and the north poles. Our model predictions can be examined by GLAST.Comment: 35 pages, 13 figures, accepted to publish in Ap

Current-feedback-stabilized laser system for quantum simulation experiments using Yb clock transition at 578 nm

We developed a laser system for the spectroscopy of the clock transition in ytterbium (Yb) atoms at 578 nm based on an interference-filter stabilized external-cavity diode laser (IFDL) emitting at 1156 nm. Owing to the improved frequency-to-current response of the laser-diode chip and the less sensitivity of the IFDL to mechanical perturbations, we succeeded in stabilizing the frequency to a high-finesse ultra-low-expansion glass cavity with a simple current feedback system. Using this laser system, we performed high-resolution clock spectroscopy of Yb and found that the linewidth of the stabilized laser was less than 320 Hz.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figure

Outer gap accelerator closed by magnetic pair-creation process

We discuss outer gap closure mechanism in the trans-field direction with the magnetic pair-creation process near the stellar surface. The gap closure by the magnetic pair-creation is possible if some fraction of the pairs are produced with an outgoing momentum. By assuming that multiple magnetic field will affect the local field near the stellar surface, we show a specific magnetic field geometry near the stellar surface resulting in the outflow of the pairs. Together with the fact that the electric field is weak below null charge surface, the characteristic curvature photon energy emitted by incoming particles, which were accelerated in the outer gap, decreases drastically to $\sim 100$MeV near the stellar surface. We estimate the height measured from the last-open field line, above which 100MeV photons is converted into pairs by the magnetic pair-creation. We also show the resultant multiplicity due to the magnetic pair-creation process could acquire $M_{e^{\pm}}\sim 10^4-10^5$. In this model the fractional outer gap size is proportional to $P^{-1/2}$. The predicted gamma-ray luminosity ($L_{\gamma}$) and the characteristic curvature photon energy ($E_c$) emitted from the outer gap are proportional to $B^2P^{-5/2}$ and $B^{3/4}P^{-1}$ respectively. This model also predicts that $L_{\gamma}$ and $E_c$ are related to the spin down power ($L_{sd}$) or the spin down age of pulsars ($\tau$) as $L_{\gamma} \propto L_{sd}^{5/8}$ or $L_{\gamma} \propto \tau^{-5/4}$, and $E_c \propto L_{sd}^{1/4}$ or $E_c \propto \tau^{-1/2}$ respectively.Comment: 33 pages, 9 figures, Accepted for publication in ApJ

Multiwavelength properties of a new Geminga-like pulsar: PSR J2021+4026

In this paper, we report a detailed investigation of the multiwavelength properties of a newly detected gamma-ray pulsar, PSR J2021+4026, in both observational and theoretical aspects. We firstly identify an X-ray source in the XMM-Newton serendipitous source catalogue, 2XMM J202131.0+402645, located within the 95% confidence circle of PSR J2021+4026. With an archival Chandra observation, this identification provides an X-ray position with arcsecond accuracy which is helpful in facilitating further investigations. Searching for the pulsed radio emission at the position of 2XMM J202131.0+402645 with a 25-m telescope at Urumqi Astronomical Observatory resulted in null detection and places an upper-limit of 0.1~mJy for any pulsed signal at 18~cm. Together with the emission properties in X-ray and gamma-ray, the radio quietness suggests PSR J2021+4026 to be another member of Geminga-like pulsars. In the radio sky survey data, extended emission features have been identified in the gamma-ray error circle of PSR J2021+4026. We have also re-analyzed the gamma-ray data collected by FERMI's Large Area Telescope. We found that the X-ray position of 2XMM J202131.0+402645 is consistent with that of the optimal gamma-ray timing solution. We have further modeled the results in the context of outer gap model which provides us with constraints for the pulsar emission geometry such as magnetic inclination angle and the viewing angle. We have also discussed the possibility of whether PSR J2021+4026 has any physical association with the supernova remnant G78.2+2.1 (gamma-Cygni).Comment: 11 pages, 14 figure