Engineering topics

Woods, P.

Publications and source records attributed to Woods, P..

11 records

NASA NTRS2008

"Magnetar-like Emission from the Young Pulsar in Kes 75"

Soft Gamma Repeaters (SGRs) and Anomalous X-ray Pulsars (AXPs) are thought to be magnetars - isolated neutron stars with ultra-high magnetic fields. These sources exhibit X-ray and gamma-ray bursts, and week to month-long flux enhancements, all too bright to be accounted for by their spindown luminosity. A mystery in neutron star astrophysics is why such emission has never been seen from rotation-powered pulsars with magnetar-like fields. Here we report the first detection of magnetar-like X-ray bursts from what has been long thought to be a rotation-powered pulsar, PSR 51846-0258, at the center of the supernova remnant Kes 75. PSR J1846-0258 has an inferred surface dipolar magnetic field of 4.9 X 1103 G, which is sixth highest among the > 1700 known rotation-powered pulsars, but less than those of the approximately 12 confirmed magnetars. The bursts coincided with a sudden flux increase and an unprecedented change in timing behavior, f m l y establishing PSR 51 846-0258 as a rotation-powered pulsar/magnetar transition object. These observations demonstrate that magnetar-like emission can be seen from sources with fields lower than the magnetars, and suggest that the intensity of magnetar-like activity in neutron stars depends on magnetic field strength in a more continuous way than previously thought.

Gavrill, R.↗

NASA NTRS2007

A Possible Magnetar Nature for IGR J16358-4726

We present detailed spectral and timing analysis of the hard X-ray transient IGR J16358-4726 using multisatellite archival observations. A study of the source flux time history over 6 yr suggests that lower luminosity transient outbursts can be occurring in intervals of at most 1 yr. Joint spectral fits of the higher luminosity outburst using simultaneous Chandra ACIS and INTEGRAL ISGRI data reveal a spectrum well described by an absorbed power-law model with a high-energy cutoff plus an Fe line. We detected the 1.6 hr pulsations initially reported using Chandra ACIS also in the INTEGRAL ISGRI light curve and in subsequent XMM-Newton observations. Using the INTEGRAL data, we identified a spin-up of 94 s (P(sup(.)) = 1.6 x 10(exp -4), which strongly points to a neutron star nature for IGR J16358-4726. Assuming that the spin-up is due to disk accretion, we estimate that the source magnetic field ranges between 10(exp 13) and 10(exp 15) G, depending on its distance, possibly supporting a magnetar nature for IGR J16358-4726.

Patel, S. K.↗

NASA NTRS2006

A Possible Magnetar Nature for IGR J16358-4726

We present detailed spectral and timing analysis of the hard x-ray transient IGR J16358-4726 using multi-satellite archival observations. A study of the source flux time history over 6 years, suggests that this transient outbursts can be occurring in intervals of at most 1 year. Joint spectral fits using simultaneous Chandra/ACIS and INTEGRAL/ISGRI data reveal a spectrum well described by an absorbed cut-off power law model plus an Fe line. We detected the pulsations initially reported using Chandra/ACIS also in the INTEGRAL/ISGRI light curve and in subsequent XMM-Newton observations. Using the INTEGRAL data we identified a pulse spin up of 94 s (P = 1.6 x 10(exp -4), which strongly points to a neutron star nature for IGR J16358-4726. Assuming that the spin up is due to disc accretion, we estimate that the source magnetic field ranges between 10(sup 13) approximately 10(sup 15) depending on its distance, possibly supporting a magnetar nature for IGR J16358-4726.

Patel, S.↗

NASA NTRS2002

ASCA Observation of the Quiescent X-ray Counterpart to SGR 1627-41

We present a 2-10 keV ASCA (Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics) observation of the field around the soft gamma repeater SGR 1627-41. A quiescent X-ray source, whose position is consistent both with that of a recently discovered BeppoSAX X-ray source and with the Interplanetary Network localization for this soft gamma repeater, was detected in this observation. In 2-10 keV X-rays, the spectrum of the X-ray source may be fit equally well by a power-law, blackbody, or bremsstrahlung function, with unabsorbed flux equal to approximately 5 x 10(exp -12) ergs cm(exp -2) s(exp -1). We do not confirm a continuation of a fading trend in the flux, and we find no evidence for periodicity, both of which were noted in the earlier BeppoSAX observations.

Hurley, K.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Multi-Wavelength Observations of the Soft Gamma Repeater SGR 1900+14 During its April 2001 Activation

The soft-gamma repeater SGR became active on 18 April 2001 after about a year of quiescence; it had remained at a very low state of activity since the fall of 1998, when it exhibited extraordinary flaring. We have observed the source in the gamma and X-rays with \ulysses and \chandra, and in the radio with MERLIN. We report here the confirmation of a two component X-ray spectrum (power law $+$ blackbody), indicating emission from the neutron star surface. We have determined that there is a dust halo surrounding the source that extends up to $\gtrsim100^{\prime\prime}$ from the SGR center, which is due to the scattering in the Interstellar Medium.

Kouveliotou, C.↗

NASA NTRS2000

The Timing Evolution of 4U 1630-47 During Its 1998 Outburst

We report on the evolution of the timing of 4U 1630-47 during its 1998 outburst using data obtained with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). The count rate and position in hardness intensity, color-color diagrams, and simple spectral fits are used to track the concurrent spectral changes. The source showed seven distinct types of timing behavior, most of which show differences with the canonical black hole spectral/timing states. In marked contrast to previous outbursts, we find quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) signals during nearly all stages of the outburst with frequencies between 0.06 and 14 Hz and a remarkable variety of other characteristics. In particular, we find large (up to 23% rms) amplitude QPOs on the early rise. Later, slow 0.1 Hz semiregular short (-5 s), 9%-16% deep dips dominate the light curve. At this time there are two QPOs, one stable near 13.5 Hz and the other whose frequency drops from the 6-8 Hz range to -4.5 Hz during the dips. BeppoSAX observations during the very late declining phase show 4U 1630-47 in a low state.

Dieters, S. W.↗

NASA NTRS1999

The Timing Evolution of 4U 1630-47 During its Outbursts

We report on the timing analysis of Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) observations of 4U 1630-47 made during its 1998 outburst. In addition we use two BeepoSAX observation on the late decline. 4U1630-47 showed seven distinct types of timing behaviour, most of which show differences with the canonical black hole spectral/timing states. In marked contrast to previous outbursts we find quasi periodic oscillation (QPO) signals during nearly all stages of the outburst. In addition to 2 to 13 Hz QPO slow 0.01Hz QPO are observed. These slow QPO can dominate the light curve as quasi-regular 5 sec, 9--16% deep dips. During these dips we track the behaviour of two QPO's; one remaining constant near 13.5 Hz and the other varying between 7 and 4 Hz. The evolution of the timing and the concurrent spectral changes are mapped using a combination harness-intensity and colour-colour diagrams.

Dieters, S. W.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Discovery of a Magnetar Associated with the Soft Gamma Repeater SGR 1900+14

The soft gamma repeater SGR 1900+14 became active again in June 1998 after a long period of quiescence; it remained at a low state of activity until August 1998, when it emitted a series of extraordinarily intense outbursts. We have observed the source with the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer twice, during the onset of each active episode. We confirm the pulsations at the 5.16 s period reported earlier from SGR 1900+14. Here we report the detection of a secular spin-down of the pulse period at an average rate of 1.1 x 10(exp -10)s/s. In view of the strong similarities between SGRs, we attribute the spin-down of SGR 1900+14 to magnetic dipole radiation, possibly accelerated by a quiescent flux, as in the case of SGR 1806-20. This allows an estimate of the pulsar dipolar magnetic field, which is (2-8) x 10(exp 14) G. Our results confirm that SGRs are magnetars.

Kouveliotou, C.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Statistical Properties of SGR 1806-20 Bursts

We find that the fluence distribution of bursts observed with each instrument are well described by power laws with indices 1.43, 1.67 and 1.76 respectively. The distribution of time intervals between successive bursts from SGR 1806-20 is described by a lognormal function with peak at 97 s. There is no correlation between burst intensity and either the waiting times till the next burst or the time elapsed since the previous burst, We find a correlation between the duration and fluence of the bursts, but with substantial scatter. In all these statistical properties, SGR bursts resemble self-organized critical systems, such as earthquakes and solar flares. Our results thus support the hypothesis that the energy source for SGR bursts is crustquakes due to the magnetic field of the neutron star, rather than any accretion- or nuclear-power.

Gogus, E.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Properties of the Second Outburst of the Bursting Pulsar (GRO J1744-28) as Observed with BATSE

One year after its discovery, the Bursting Pulsar (GRO J1744-28) went into outburst again, displaying the hard X-ray bursts and pulsations that make this source unique. We report on Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) observations of both the persistent and burst emission for this second outburst and draw comparisons to the first. The second outburst was smaller than the first in both duration and peak luminosity. The persistent flux, burst peak flux and burst fluence were all reduced in amplitude by a factor approximately 1.7. Despite these differences, the average burst occurrence rate and average burst durations were roughly the same through each outburst. Similar to the first outburst, no spectral evolution was found within bursts and the parameter alpha was very small at the start of the outburst (alpha = 2.1 +/- 1.7 on 1996 December 2). Although no spectral evolution was found within individual bursts, we find evidence for a small (20%) variation of the spectral temperature during the course of the second outburst.

Woods, P.↗

NASA NTRS1998

SGR 1900+14

SGR 1900+14 soft gamma-ray repeater has entered an extraordinary new phase of activity with a previously unobserved frequency and intensity of bursts. Activity began on May 26 and has continued at least through May 30. Triangulation with Ulysses and BATSE gives a preliminary annulus whose center is at R.A. = 2lh58ml8s, Decl. = -11ol8'.4 (equinox 2000.0), and whose radius is 47.269 +/- 0.019 deg. This annulus includes the network synthesis error box (Hurley et al. 1994, Ap.J. 431, L31), the ROSAT source proposed as a possible quiescent x-ray counterpart to the soft repeater, and the peculiar double M star system coincident with the ROSAT source. As all these locations are mutually consistent, we conclude that the ROSAT source and M star system are indeed the counterparts to the soft gamma-ray repeater, and urge that observations at other wavelengths be undertaken immediately, while the source remains active. An image may be found at http://ssl.berkeley.edu/ipn3/sgrl9OO+l4/. On May 30, BATSE triggered on an extremely intense outburst from this source that comprised at least 38 bursts of varying intensity and duration; the series of bursts started at May 30.37759 UT and lasted for about 350 s. The peak flux of each of the three major bursts in the series is 1.1 x lOE-4 erg cmE-2 sE-1 (between 25 and 300 keV, integrated for 128 ms). Assuming a distance of about 12 kpc for SGR 1900+14, this corresponds to a luminosity of about 2 X 10(exp 42) ergs / second for each burst. This bunching of emission is very similar to the behavior of SGR 1806-20 as detected with the Rossi X-ray Timing explorer in 1996. Overall, between May 26 and June 1, we have detected over 50 bursts from SGR 1900+4. The frequency and intensity of emissions are unlike any previously seen behavior from this source. Follow-up observations at infrared and radio wavelengths, while the source is still active are encouraged.

Hurley, K.↗