Joeri van Leeuwen

A Massive Pulsar in a Compact Relativistic Binary

Introduction Neutron stars with masses above 1.8 solar masses (M☉), possess extreme gravitational fields, which may give rise to phenomena outside general relativity. These strong-field deviations lack experimental confrontation, because they become observable only in tight binaries containing a high-mass pulsar and where orbital decay resulting from emission of gravitational waves can be tested. Understanding the origin of such a system would also help to answer fundamental questions of close-binary evolution. Artist’s impression of the PSR J0348+0432 system. The compact pulsar (with beams of radio emission) produces a strong distortion of spacetime (illustrated by the green mesh). Conversely, spacetime around its white-dwarf companion (in light blue) is substantially less curved. According to relativistic theories of gravity, the binary system is subject to energy loss by gravitational waves. Methods We report on radio-timing observations of the pulsar J0348+0432 and phase-resolved optical spectroscopy of its white-dwarf companion, which is in a 2.46-hour orbit. We used these to derive the component masses and orbital parameters, infer the system’s motion, and constrain its age. Results We find that the white dwarf has a mass of 0.172 ± 0.003 M☉, which, combined with orbital velocity measurements, yields a pulsar mass of 2.01 ± 0.04 M☉. Additionally, over a span of 2 years, we observed a significant decrease in the orbital period, P ˙ b obs =−8.6±1.4 μs year−1 in our radio-timing data. Discussion Pulsar J0348+0432 is only the second neutron star with a precisely determined mass of 2 M☉ and independently confirms the existence of such massive neutron stars in nature. For these masses and orbital period, general relativity predicts a significant orbital decay, which matches the observed value, P ˙ b obs / P ˙ b GR =1.05±0.18 . The pulsar has a gravitational binding energy 60% higher than other known neutron stars in binaries where gravitational-wave damping has been detected. Because the magnitude of strong-field deviations generally depends nonlinearly on the binding energy, the measurement of orbital decay transforms the system into a gravitational laboratory for an as-yet untested gravity regime. The consistency of the observed orbital decay with general relativity therefore supports its validity, even for such extreme gravity-matter couplings, and rules out strong-field phenomena predicted by physically well-motivated alternatives. Moreover, our result supports the use of general relativity–based templates for the detection of gravitational waves from merger events with advanced ground-based detectors. Lastly, the system provides insight into pulsar-spin evolution after mass accretion. Because of its short merging time scale of 400 megayears, the system is a direct channel for the formation of an ultracompact x-ray binary, possibly leading to a pulsar-planet system or the formation of a black hole. Pulsar Tests Gravity Because of their extremely high densities, massive neutron stars can be used to test gravity. Based on spectroscopy of its white dwarf companion, Antoniadis et al. (p. 448) identified a millisecond pulsar as a neutron star twice as heavy as the Sun. The observed binarys orbital decay is consistent with that predicted by general relativity, ruling out previously untested strong-field phenomena predicted by alternative theories. The binary system has a peculiar combination of properties and poses a challenge to our understanding of stellar evolution. Observations of a pulsar confirm general relativity in the strong-field regime and reveal a perplexing stellar binary. Many physically motivated extensions to general relativity (GR) predict substantial deviations in the properties of spacetime surrounding massive neutron stars. We report the measurement of a 2.01 ± 0.04 solar mass (M☉) pulsar in a 2.46-hour orbit with a 0.172 ± 0.003 M☉ 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.

A radio pulsar/x-ray binary link

From X-ray Binary to Pulsar Pulsars with millisecond rotational periods are thought to originate from neutron stars in low-mass x-ray binaries that had their spin frequencies increased by long-lasting mass transfer from their companion stars. Using data from a radio pulsar survey, Archibald et al. (p. 1411, published online 21 May; see the Perspective by Kramer) found a neutron star in a low-mass X-ray binary that is in the process of turning into a radio millisecond pulsar. The system, which consists of a solar-like star and a 1.69-millisecond radio pulsar, has gone through a recent accretion phase, characteristic of low-mass X-ray binaries, but it shows no accretion disk anymore, confirming the evolutionary connection between millisecond radio pulsars and low-mass X-ray binaries. Radio observations reveal a system undergoing the transition from a low-mass x-ray binary star to a millisecond radio pulsar. Radio pulsars with millisecond spin periods are thought to have been spun up by the transfer of matter and angular momentum from a low-mass companion star during an x-ray–emitting phase. The spin periods of the neutron stars in several such low-mass x-ray binary (LMXB) systems have been shown to be in the millisecond regime, but no radio pulsations have been detected. Here we report on detection and follow-up observations of a nearby radio millisecond pulsar (MSP) in a circular binary orbit with an optically identified companion star. Optical observations indicate that an accretion disk was present in this system within the past decade. Our optical data show no evidence that one exists today, suggesting that the radio MSP has turned on after a recent LMXB phase.

An Eccentric Binary Millisecond Pulsar in the Galactic Plane

Binary pulsar systems are superb probes of stellar and binary evolution and the physics of extreme environments. In a survey with the Arecibo telescope, we have found PSR J1903+0327, a radio pulsar with a rotational period of 2.15 milliseconds in a highly eccentric (e = 0.44) 95-day orbit around a solar mass (\batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{M}_{{\odot}}\) \end{document}) companion. Infrared observations identify a possible main-sequence companion star. Conventional binary stellar evolution models predict neither large orbital eccentricities nor main-sequence companions around millisecond pulsars. Alternative formation scenarios involve recycling a neutron star in a globular cluster, then ejecting it into the Galactic disk, or membership in a hierarchical triple system. A relativistic analysis of timing observations of the pulsar finds its mass to be 1.74 ± 0.04 \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{M}_{{\odot}}\) \end{document}, an unusually high value.

THE GREEN BANK TELESCOPE 350 MHz DRIFT-SCAN SURVEY II: DATA ANALYSIS AND THE TIMING OF 10 NEW PULSARS, INCLUDING A RELATIVISTIC BINARY

We have completed a 350 MHz Drift-scan Survey using the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope with the goal of finding new radio pulsars, especially millisecond pulsars that can be timed to high precision. This survey covered ~10,300 deg2 and all of the data have now been fully processed. We have discovered a total of 31 new pulsars, 7 of which are recycled pulsars. A companion paper by Boyles et al. describes the survey strategy, sky coverage, and instrumental setup, and presents timing solutions for the first 13 pulsars. Here we describe the data analysis pipeline, survey sensitivity, and follow-up observations of new pulsars, and present timing solutions for 10 other pulsars. We highlight several sources—two interesting nulling pulsars, an isolated millisecond pulsar with a measurement of proper motion, and a partially recycled pulsar, PSR J0348+0432, which has a white dwarf companion in a relativistic orbit. PSR J0348+0432 will enable unprecedented tests of theories of gravity.

The Allen Telescope Array Fly's Eye Survey for Fast Radio Transients

The relatively unexplored fast radio transient parameter space is known to be home to a variety of interesting sources, including pulsars, pulsar giant pulses, and non-thermal emission from planetary magnetospheres. In addition, a variety of hypothesized but as-yet-unobserved phenomena such as primordial black hole evaporation and prompt emission associated with coalescing massive objects have been suggested. The 2007 announcement by Lorimer et al. of the detection of a bright (30 Jy) radio pulse that was inferred to be of extragalactic origin and the subsequent consternation have demonstrated both the need for wide-field surveys characterizing the fast-transient parameter space and the potential utility of bright radio pulses as probes of the interstellar medium and intergalactic medium. Here we present results from the 450 hr, 150 deg2 Flys Eye survey for bright dispersed radio pulses at the Allen Telescope Array (ATA). The Flys Eye Spectrometer produces 128 channel power spectra over a 209 MHz bandwidth, centered at 1430 MHz, on 44 independent signal paths originating with 30 independent ATA antennae. Data were dedispersed between 0 and 2000 pc cm–3 and searched for pulses with dispersion measures greater than 50 pc cm–3 between 625 μs and 5 s in duration. No pulses were detected in the survey, implying a limiting rate of less than 2 sky–1 hr–1 for 10 ms duration pulses having apparent energy densities greater than 440 kJy μs, or mean flux densities greater than 44 Jy. Here we present details of the instrument, experiment, and observations, including a discussion of our results in light of other single pulse searches.

New SETI Sky Surveys for Radio Pulses

Berkeley conducts 7 SETI programs at IR, visible and radio wavelengths. Here we review two of the newest e orts, Astropulse and Fly’s Eye. A variety of possible sources of microsecond to millisecond radio pulses have been suggested in the last several decades, among them such exotic events as evaporating primordial black holes, hyper-flares from neutron stars, emissions from cosmic strings or perhaps extraterrestrial civilizations, but to-date few searches have been conducted capable of detecting them. The recent announcement by Lorimer et al. of the detection of a powerful ( 30 Jy) and highly dispersed ( 375 cm 3 pc) radio pulse in Parkes multi-beam survey data has fueled additional interest in such phenomena. We are carrying out two searches in hopes of finding and characterizing these uS to mS time scale dispersed radio pulses. These two observing programs are orthogonal in search space; the Allen Telescope Array’s (ATA) ”Fly’s Eye” experiment observes a 100 square degree field by pointing each 6m ATA antenna in a di erent direction; by contrast, the Astropulse sky survey at Arecibo is extremely sensitive but has 1/3,000 of the instantaneous sky coverage. Astropulse’s multibeam data is transferred via the internet to the computers of millions of volunteers. These computers perform a coherent de-dispersion analysis faster than the fastest available supercomputers and allow us to resolve pulses as short as 400 nS. Overall, the Astropulse survey will be 30 times more sensitive than the best previous searches. Analysis of results from Astropulse is at a very early stage. The Fly’s Eye was successfully installed at the ATA in December of 2007, and to-date approximately 450 hours of observation has been performed. We have detected three pulsars (B0329+54, B0355+54, B0950+08) and six giant pulses from the Crab pulsar in our diagnostic pointing data. We have not yet detected any other convincing bursts of astronomical origin in our survey data.

A search for radio pulsars around low‐mass white dwarfs

Low-mass white dwarfs can be produced either in low-mass X-ray binaries by stable mass transfer to a neutron star, or in a common envelope phase with a heavier white dwarf companion. We have searched eight low-mass white dwarf candidates recently identified in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey for radio pulsations from pulsar companions, using the Green Bank Telescope at 340 MHz. We have found no pulsations down to flux densities of 0.6-0.8 mJy kpc(-2) and conclude that a given low-mass helium-core white dwarf has a probability of <0.18 +/- 0.05 of being in a binary with a radio pulsar.

Auto-Tuning Dedispersion for Many-Core Accelerators

Dedispersion is a basic algorithm to reconstruct impulsive astrophysical signals. It is used in high sampling-rate radio astronomy to counteract temporal smearing by intervening interstellar medium. To counteract this smearing, the received signal train must be dedispersed for thousands of trial distances, after which the transformed signals are further analyzed. This process is expensive on both computing and data handling. This challenge is exacerbated in future, and even some current, radio telescopes which routinely produce hundreds of such data streams in parallel. There, the compute requirements for dedispersion are high (petascale), while the data intensity is extreme. Yet, the dedispersion algorithm remains a basic component of every radio telescope, and a fundamental step in searching the sky for radio pulsars and other transient astrophysical objects. In this paper, we study the parallelization of the dedispersion algorithm on many-core accelerators, including GPUs from AMD and NVIDIA, and the Intel Xeon Phi. An important contribution is the computational analysis of the algorithm, from which we conclude that dedispersion is inherently memory-bound in any realistic scenario, in contrast to earlier reports. We also provide empirical proof that, even in unrealistic scenarios, hardware limitations keep the arithmetic intensity low, thus limiting performance. We exploit auto-tuning to adapt the algorithm, not only to different accelerators, but also to different observations, and even telescopes. Our experiments show how the algorithm is tuned automatically for different scenarios and how it exploits and highlights the underlying specificities of the hardware: in some observations, the tuner automatically optimizes device occupancy, while in others it optimizes memory bandwidth. We quantitatively analyze the problem space, and by comparing the results of optimal auto-tuned versions against the best performing fixed codes, we show the impact that auto-tuning has on performance, and conclude that it is statistically relevant.

Real-time searches for fast transients with Apertif and LOFAR

With the installation of a new phased array system called Apertif, the instantaneous field of view of the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) has increased to 8.7 deg2. This system has turned the WSRT in to an highly effective telescope to conduct Fast Radio Burst (FRB) and pulsar surveys. To exploit this advantage, an advanced and real-time backend, called the Apertif Radio Transient System (ARTS), is being developed and commissioned at the WSRT. In addition to the real-time detection of FRBs, ARTS will localize the events to about 1/2600 of the field of view — essential information for identifying the nature of FRBs. ARTS will also trigger real-time follow up with LOFAR of newly detected FRBs, to achieve localization at arcsecond precision. We review the upcoming time-domain surveys with Apertif, and present the current status of the ongoing commissioning of the time domain capabilities of Apertif.

A LOFAR DETECTION of the LOW-MASS YOUNG STAR T TAU at 149 MHz

Radio observations of young stellar objects (YSOs) enable the study of ionised plasma outflows from young protostars via their free–free radiation. Previous studies of the low-mass young system T Tau have used radio observations to model the spectrum and estimate important physical properties of the associated ionised plasma (local electron density, ionised gas content and emission measure). However, without an indication of the low-frequency turnover in the free–free spectrum, these properties remain difficult to constrain. This paper presents the detection of T Tau at 149 MHz with the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR)-the first time a YSO has been observed at such low frequencies. The recovered total flux indicates that the free–free spectrum may be turning over near 149 MHz. The spectral energy distribution is fitted and yields improved constraints on local electron density ((7.2 ± 2.1) × 10 3 cm −3), ionised gas mass ((1.0 ± 1.8) × 10 −6 M ⊙) and emission measure ((1.67 ± 0.14) × 10 5 pc cm −6).