Engulfing a radio pulsar: the case of PSR J1023+0038

TL;DR

This study presents multiwavelength observations of PSR J1023+0038, revealing an accretion disc around the pulsar, with emissions driven by an intra-binary shock and irradiation, indicating the pulsar remains active but hidden by surrounding material.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive multiwavelength analysis demonstrating the coexistence of a pulsar and an accretion disc, supporting the engulfed pulsar model in a transitional state.

Findings

X-ray spectrum is softer than in quiescence

Strong correlation between X-ray and UV emissions

Presence of an outer accretion disc confirmed by emission lines

Abstract

The binary millisecond radio pulsar PSR J1023+0038 has been recently the subject of multiwavelength monitoring campaigns which revealed that an accretion disc has formed around the neutron star (since 2013 June). We present here the results of X-ray and UV observations carried out by the Swift satellite between 2013 October and 2014 May, and of optical and NIR observations performed with the REM telescope, the Liverpool Telescope, the 2.1-m telescope at the San Pedro M\'artir Observatory and the 1.52-m telescope at the Loiano observing station. The X-ray spectrum is well described by an absorbed power law, which is softer than the previous quiescent epoch (up to 2013 June). The strong correlation between the X-ray and the UV emissions indicates that the same mechanism should be responsible for part of the emission in these bands. Optical and infrared photometric observations show that the companion star is strongly irradiated. Double-peaked emission lines in the optical spectra provide compelling evidence for the presence of an outer accretion disc too. The spectral energy distribution from IR to X-rays is well modelled if the contributions from the companion, the disc and the intra-binary shock emission are all considered. Our extensive data set can be interpreted in terms of an engulfed radio pulsar: the radio pulsar is still active, but undetectable in the radio band due to a large amount of ionized material surrounding the compact object. X-rays and gamma-rays are produced in an intra-binary shock front between the relativistic pulsar wind and matter from the companion and an outer accretion disc. The intense spin-down power irradiates the disc and the companion star, accounting for the UV and optical emissions.