Possible relation between pulsar rotation and evolution of magnetic inclination

TL;DR

This paper investigates the potential link between pulsar rotation and the evolution of their magnetic inclination angle, using observed braking indices to infer inclination changes.

Contribution

It introduces a method to estimate magnetic inclination evolution from braking indices and suggests a possible relation with pulsar rotation frequency.

Findings

Possible correlation between pulsar rotation frequency and magnetic inclination evolution

Estimated inclination change rates vary among pulsars

More observational data needed for confirmation

Abstract

The pulsar timing is observed to be different from predicted by a simple magnetic dipole radiation. We choose eight pulsars whose braking index was reliably determined. Assuming the smaller values of braking index are dominated by the secular evolution of the magnetic inclination, we calculate the increasing rate of the magnetic inclination for each pulsar. We find a possible relation between the rotation frequency of each pulsar and the inferred evolution of the magnetic inclination. Due to the model-dependent fit of the magnetic inclination and other effects, more observational indicators for the change rate of magnetic inclination are needed to test the relation.