The braking index of PSR J1734-3333 and the magnetar population

TL;DR

This paper measures the braking index of PSR J1734-3333, revealing it is below 3, suggesting it may evolve into a magnetar, supporting a unified neutron star evolution model.

Contribution

It provides the first measurement of the second period derivative and braking index for PSR J1734-3333, indicating a potential evolutionary link to magnetars.

Findings

Braking index n=0.9 ± 0.2 for PSR J1734-3333

Low braking index suggests possible transition to magnetar properties

Supports a unified evolutionary model for neutron stars

Abstract

PSR J1734-3333 is a radio pulsar rotating with a period P=1.17 s and slowing down with a period derivative Pdot=2.28 x 10^{-12}, the third largest among rotation-powered pulsars. These properties are midway between those of normal rotation-powered pulsars and magnetars, two populations of neutron stars that are notably different in their emission properties. Here we report on the measurement of the second period derivative of the rotation of PSR J1734-3333 and calculate a braking index n=0.9 +- 0.2. This value is well below 3, the value expected for an electromagnetic braking due to a constant magnetic dipole, and indicates that this pulsar may soon have the rotational properties of a magnetar. While there are several mechanisms which could lead to such a low braking index, we discuss this observation, together with the properties exhibited by some other high-Pdot rotation-powered pulsars, and interpret it as evidence of a possible evolutionary route for magnetars through a radio-pulsar phase, supporting a unified description of the two classes of object.