On the nature of Off-pulse emission from pulsars

TL;DR

This study confirms persistent Off-pulse emission from two pulsars at multiple frequencies, suggesting a magnetospheric origin, which impacts understanding of pulsar emission mechanisms and magnetosphere structure.

Contribution

It provides the first multi-frequency, multi-epoch confirmation of Off-pulse emission from these pulsars and supports a magnetospheric origin hypothesis.

Findings

Off-pulse emission detected at 325 MHz and 610 MHz in multiple observations.

Spectral index and scintillation effects indicate a magnetospheric origin.

Results challenge existing models of pulsar emission regions.

Abstract

In Basu et al. 2011 we reported the detection of Off-pulse emission from two long period pulsars B0525+21 and B2045-16. The pulsars were observed at a single epoch using the 325 MHz frequency band of the Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope (GMRT). In this paper we report a detailed study of the Off-pulse emission from these two pulsars using multiple observations at two different frequencies, 325 MHz and 610 MHz bands of GMRT. We report detection of Off-pulse emission during each observation and based on the scintillation effects and spectral index of Off-pulse emission we conclude a magnetospheric origin. The magnetospheric origin of Off-pulse emission gives rise to various interesting possibilities about its emission mechanism and raises questions about the structure of the magnetosphere.