Discovery of Gamma-Ray Orbital Modulation in the Black Widow PSR J1311-3430

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of orbitally modulated gamma-ray emission from the black widow pulsar PSR J1311-3430, indicating intrabinary gamma-ray emission likely caused by occultation effects near the companion star.

Contribution

First detection of orbital gamma-ray modulation in a black widow pulsar, suggesting intrabinary emission from near the companion star.

Findings

Gamma-ray orbital modulation detected at ~3σ confidence

Spectral analysis shows no significant difference between bright and faint phases

Modulation consistent with occultation by the companion star

Abstract

We report our discovery of orbitally modulated $\gamma$-ray emission from the black widow system PSR J1311-3430. We analyze the \textit{Fermi} Large Area Telescope data during the offpulse phase interval of the pulsar, and find the orbital modulation signal at a $\sim$3$\sigma$ confidence level. Further spectral analysis shows no significant differences for the spectra obtained during the bright and faint orbital phase ranges. A simple sinusoid-like function can describe the modulation. Given these properties, we suggest that the intrabinary $\gamma$-ray emission arises from the region close to the companion and the modulation is caused by the occultation of the emitting region by the companion, similar to that is seen in the transitional millisecond pulsar binary (MSP) PSR J1023+0038. Considering the X-ray detection of intrabinary shock emission from eclipsing MSP binaries recently reported, this discovery further suggests the general existence of intrabinary $\gamma$-ray emission from them.