Collision-Induced Glitch/Anti-Glitches

TL;DR

This paper proposes that collisions between small solid bodies and pulsars can cause observable glitches or anti-glitches, with associated X-ray emissions, providing a new explanation for pulsar timing anomalies.

Contribution

It introduces a novel collision-based mechanism for pulsar glitches and anti-glitches, linking them to small body impacts and resulting X-ray signals.

Findings

Collision impacts can produce measurable glitch amplitudes.

Energy release varies with impact parameters and small body mass.

X-ray emissions correlate with glitch events, aiding diagnosis.

Abstract

We suggest that the collision of a small solid body with a pulsar can lead to an observable glitch/anti-glitch. The glitch amplitude depends on the mass of the small body and the impact parameter as well. In the collision, a considerable amount of potential energy will be released either in the form of a short hard X-ray burst or as a relatively long-lasting soft X-ray afterglow. The connection between the glitch amplitude and the X-ray energetics can help to diagnose the nature of these timing anomalies.