Hurst parameter analysis of radio pulsar timing noise

TL;DR

This study analyzes the timing noise of 54 pulsars using the Hurst parameter to detect dependence and distinguish chaotic behavior from randomness in pulsar timing residuals over 5-8 years.

Contribution

It applies Hurst parameter analysis to pulsar timing noise, revealing potential dependence and chaotic behavior not evident from noise appearance alone.

Findings

Many pulsars show Hurst parameters deviating from independent series.

Hurst parameter can detect dependence in timing residuals.

Potential to distinguish chaotic from random processes in pulsar data.

Abstract

We present an analysis of timing residual (noise) of 54 pulsars obtained from 25-m radio telescope at Urumqi Observatory with a time span of 5~8 years, dealing with statistics of the Hurst parameter. The majority of these pulsars were selected to have timing noise that look like white noise rather than smooth curves. The results are compared with artificial series of different constant pairwise covariances. Despite the noise like appearance, many timing residual series showed Hurst parameters significantly deviated from that of independent series. We concluded that Hurst parameter may be capable of detecting dependence in timing residual and of distinguishing chaotic behavior from random processes.