The Dipole Magnetic Field and Spin-down Evolutions of The High Braking Index Pulsar PSR J1640-4631

TL;DR

This paper models the high braking index of pulsar PSR J1640-4631 through combined magneto-dipole radiation and magnetic field decay, estimating its initial spin, age, and magnetic properties.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach combining magnetic field decay with energy conversion to explain the pulsar's braking index, supported by observational data and nuclear equation of state.

Findings

Estimated initial spin period: 17-44 ms

Calculated true age: 2900-3100 years

Derived magnetic field decay rate: ~1.66-3.85×10^8 G/yr

Abstract

In this work, we interpreted the high braking index of PSR J1640$-$4631 with a combination of the magneto-dipole radiation and dipole magnetic field decay models. By introducing a mean rotation energy conversion coefficient $\overline{\zeta}$, the ratio of the total high-energy photon energy to the total rotation energy loss in the whole life of the pulsar, and combining the pulsar's high-energy and timing observations with reliable nuclear equation of state, we estimate the pulsar's initial spin period, $P_{0}\sim (17-44)$ ms, corresponding to the moment of inertia $I\sim (0.8-2.1)\times 10^{45}$ g cm$^{2}$. Assuming that PSR J1640$-$4631 has experienced a long-term exponential decay of the dipole magnetic field, we calculate the true age $t_{\rm age}$, the effective magnetic field decay timescale $\tau_{D}$, and the initial surface dipole magnetic field at the pole $B_{p}(0)$ of the pulsar to be $(2900-3100)$ yrs, $1.07(2)\times10^{5}$ yrs, and $(1.84-4.20)\times10^{13}$ G, respectively. The measured braking index of $n=3.15(3)$ for PSR J1640$-$4631 is attributed to its long-term dipole magnetic field decay and a low magnetic field decay rate, $dB_{\rm p}/dt\sim -(1.66-3.85)\times10^{8}$ G yr$^{-1}$. Our model can be applied to both the high braking index ($n>3$) and low braking index ($n<3$) pulsars, tested by the future polarization, timing, and high-energy observations of PSR J1640$-$4631.