On The Recently Discovered Pulsations From RX J1856.5-3754

TL;DR

This paper proposes that the 7-second pulsations observed in the neutron star RX J1856.5-3754 are caused by low-frequency drift waves in its magnetosphere, suggesting a true spin period of about 1 second.

Contribution

It introduces a novel explanation for the pulsations involving magnetospheric drift waves, differing from traditional rotation-based models.

Findings

Simulated lightcurve matches observed pulsation period.

Explains low pulsed fraction of approximately 1.2%.

Supports the hypothesis of magnetospheric drift waves causing observed pulsations.

Abstract

An explanation of the recently discovered 7 s pulsations from the isolated neutron star RX J1856.5-3754 is presented. It is assumed that the real spin period of this source is $\approx1$ s, whereas the observed spin-modulation is caused by the presence of a nearly transverse, very low frequency drift waves in the pulsar magnetosphere. It is supposed that the period of the drift wave is equal to a recently observed one. The simulated lightcurve is plotted, the angular parameters are defined and the value of the pulsed fraction of only $\sim 1.2%$ is explained.