Fermi Observation of the transitional pulsar binary XSS J12270-4859

Because of the disappearance of its accretion disk since the time period around 2012 November--December, XSS J12270-4859 has recently been identified as, in addition to PSR J1023+0038, another transitional millisecond pulsar binary. We have carried out detailed analysis of the Fermi Large Area Telescope data for the binary. While both spectra before and after the disk-disappearance transition are well described by an exponentially cut-off power law, typical for pulsars' emission in the Fermi's 0.2-300 GeV, a factor of 2 flux decrease related to the transition is detected. A weak orbital modulation is seen, but only detectable in the after-transition data, same to that found at X-rays. In the long-term light curve of the source before the transition, a factor of 3 flux variations are seen. Comparing to the properties of J1023+0038, we disucss the implications from these results. We suggest that since the modulation is aligned with that at X-rays in orbital phase, it possibly arises due to the occultation of the gamma-ray emitting region by the companion. The origin of the variations in the long-term light curve is not clear, because the source field also contains unidentified radio or X-ray sources and their contamination can not be excluded. Multi-wavelength observations of the source field will help identify the origin of the variations by detecting any related flux changes from the in-field sources.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables, submitted to Ap

Discovery of Gamma-Ray Orbital Modulation in the Black Widow PSR J1311-3430

We report our discovery of orbitally modulated $\gamma$-ray emission from the black widow system PSR J1311-3430. We analyze the \textit{Fermi} Large Area Telescope data during the offpulse phase interval of the pulsar, and find the orbital modulation signal at a $\sim$3$\sigma$ confidence level. Further spectral analysis shows no significant differences for the spectra obtained during the bright and faint orbital phase ranges. A simple sinusoid-like function can describe the modulation. Given these properties, we suggest that the intrabinary $\gamma$-ray emission arises from the region close to the companion and the modulation is caused by the occultation of the emitting region by the companion, similar to that is seen in the transitional millisecond pulsar binary (MSP) PSR J1023+0038. Considering the X-ray detection of intrabinary shock emission from eclipsing MSP binaries recently reported, this discovery further suggests the general existence of intrabinary $\gamma$-ray emission from them.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ

On the significance of polarization charge and isomagnetic surface in the interaction between conducting fluid and magnetic field

From the frozen-in field lines concept, a highly conducting fluid can move freely along, but not traverse to, magnetic field lines. We discuss this topic and find that in the study of the frozen-in field lines concept, the effects of inductive and capacitive reactance have been omitted. When admitted, the relationships among the motional electromotive field, the induced electric field, the eddy electric current, and the magnetic field becomes clearer and the frozen-in field line concept can be reconsidered. We emphasize the importance of isomagnetic surfaces and polarization charges, and show analytically that whether a conducting fluid can freely traverse magnetic field lines or not depends solely on the magnetic gradient in the direction of fluid motion. If a fluid does not change its density distribution and shape (can be regarded as a quasi-rigid body), and as long as it is moving along an isomagnetic surface, it can freely traverse magnetic field lines without any magnetic resistance no matter how strong the magnetic field is. When our analysis is applied, the origin of the magnetic field of sunspots can be interpreted easily. In addition, we also present experimental results to support our analysis.Comment: 12 pages, 12 figures, 4 table